Innovative new framework for public sector launched

19 May 2011

An innovative new repairs and maintenance framework will see public sector organisations across the Midlands saving £2.5m over the next four years.

This new repairs and maintenance services framework is the first collaborative regional agreement of its kind in the UK. Launched recently by Nottingham based Scape, this unique framework will enable local authorities and other public bodies who participate in the East Midlands Property Alliance* (empa) to buy in repairs and maintenance services without having to go through a costly and time consuming compliant procurement process.
The framework means that local authorities can, with Scape’s support, approach specific pre- procured firms with their brief to then obtain direct quotes for the repair and maintenance services work required. The contract will run for up to four years.
Six contractors have now been appointed to the framework following a competitive tender process. The work will be managed from the local offices of the partners, who are Derbyshire County Council; Enterprise Managed Services Limited; Robert Woodhead Limited; Kier Support Services Limited; Oliveti Consortia Ltd in Leicester, and Willmott Dixon Partnerships Ltd .
Kier Building Maintenance East, Operations Director, Phil Oades commented: “We are delighted to have been named as an appointed contractor for the East Midlands Property Alliance (empa). Kier currently repairs and maintains over 250,000 homes in the country and is proud of the improvements it has delivered. The company looks forward to making a significant contribution in the East Midlands and to demonstrating how, as a contractor of choice, we can deliver benefits and add value at every stage.
Martin Joyce, MD of Local Government at Enterprise Managed Services added “We are delighted to be a part of this innovative and important framework and look forward to working in partnership with all participating stakeholders. We welcome the opportunity to contribute positively to the local areas and economies and offer a cost efficient approach to the array of services we provide bringing added value to the wider community.”
The framework procurement was completed in six months using competitive dialogue, a process which can take up to 18 months. The evaluation process consisted of four stages and is the first Scape framework to have been evaluated in this way. Each stage was carefully assessed by a team who evaluated against price, quality, performance and service innovation. The successful contractors will be allocated work following a mini competition process.
Steve Gerrard, Deputy Director of Property at Derbyshire County Council added “Derbyshire County Council is delighted to have gained a place in the empa Repairs and Maintenance Framework which we believe will strengthen public service delivery across the East Midlands. We know the clients as we are at the heart of public services and we understand their requirements on both an operational and technical level.”
As Alan Coole, Development Director, explained: “This is the eighth framework that we’ve now launched, and it’s also the first of its kind in the UK that has been developed by a collaborative organisation. We believe it offers local authorities - and indeed any other public sector organisation operating in the East Midlands - a great opportunity to innovate and deliver better services to their customers.
“Public sector budgets are continuing to shrink so it is more important than ever that the wider public sector take steps to make savings in all aspects of their work. Our role as a local authority controlled company and managing agent for empa is to develop a range of frameworks which will enable their property teams to operate their services in a more efficient and cost effective way
This empa collaborative framework has already saved procurement costs of over £750,000. Scape’s projections show that for larger users,there are on offer to clients the potential for a £1.5m one-off saving, and £2.5m over four years using innovative service delivery methods.
The framework also offers a wider range of benefits – including using companies with a proven track record in key areas such as H&S, sustainability, employment & skills development and boosting the local supply chain to deliver local benefits.
Outline information about the framework can be found on www.em-pa.org.uk and www.scapebuild.co.uk or by contacting Scape on 0115 958 3200 or email empaRM@scapebuild.co.uk
The East Midlands Property Alliance (empa) was formed in 2008 by Local Authorities in the East Midlands to improve the delivery of property services to their communities. empa gives local authorities a single voice in speaking to the market, enabling them to bring economies of scale into procurement processes, increase efficiency in project delivery, manage assets more effectively, work smarter with the supply chain, and share knowledge to develop solutions to common issues. *38 of the 46 local authorities in the East Midlands are currently participating in empa / Scape’s services. www.em-pa.org.uk
Scape System Build Ltd is the managing agent for the East Midlands Property Alliance (empa). Scape is a local authority controlled company whose shareholders are Derby City, Derbyshire County, Gateshead, Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire County and Warwickshire County Councils. The company’s objectives are to bring economy and efficiency to the whole building process - including for new buildings and refurbishment projects – and it achieves this through the development of standard designs and strategic procurement arrangements. Eight frameworks covering a range of property and construction services are now in place. www.scapebuild.co.uk