Thurrock Council - Client Management Partner Market Engagement

Description

Thurrock Council plans to run a new procurement exercise in 2023/24 in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. This may lead to the appointment of a single Delivery Partner and Management Partner to enter into a Partnership Model for the provision of all property services to the council and its tenants. The works and services would comprise all the works required to maintain Thurrock’s housing stock, including responsive repairs, void refurbishment works, disrepair, planned and capital, cyclical maintenance and all other compliance services. The procurement of the Delivery Partner and Management Partner are anticipated to be carried out separately, in parallel and following a Competitive Dialogue procedure to ensure the Model operates as intended. Thurrock aims to award a contract to the successful tenderers in September 2024, with the mobilisation of the Works over a five month period to a contract start date of 1st March 2025. Lot 1: The Management Partner is expected to be an organisation experienced in providing outsourcing solutions for the provision of a "client" function to manage Thurrock's housing service. The Management Partner and Thurrock will enter into the Management Appointment with a comprehensive services schedule setting out the "client" roles expected to be undertaken on Thurrock's behalf, and with an appropriate duty of care given the nature and complexity of the management services. It is anticipated that the Management Partner will undertake the contractual obligations of Client on Thurrock's behalf in the Term Contract (though Thurrock will be formally named as Client in the Term Contract). It is also anticipated that the Management Partner will undertake the "Alliance Manager" role in the Term Contract (similar to the "employer's agent" role in the JCT contract suite) and will be responsible for issuing works/services orders, approving payments to the Delivery Partner, assessing extension of time requests, certifying completion of the works/services and chairing Core Group meetings. The requirements however go beyond that of a typical consultancy organisation, whereby the service provision is expected to include the management stock data, development of the capital programme and the production of both corporate reporting and performance reporting in respect of the Works Programme. Prospective bidders would need to be able to both demonstrate relevant capability and experience, but also be comfortable with the scope, nature and legal and commercial implications of the role. It is anticipated that a number of Thurrock employees who currently undertake "client" functions in respect of Thurrock's current suite of maintenance contracts will be entitled to transfer their employment to the Management Partner, where those "client" duties previously carried out by those employees will now be carried out by the Management Partner. This is expected to include surveying, contract management, inspections and management of the complaints process. This will be confirmed by Thurrock and its legal advisers during the procurement process Additional information: Thurrock are conducting this market engagement to test the proposed Model, and whether it stands a good chance of success in addressing Thurrock’s objectives; identifying any opportunities to adapt the Model or the procurement procedure to achieve this. This includes a need for feedback on the appetite, ability and experience of service providers to take on the roles.