In coming to this decision I have given due and full regard to the requirements of the public sector equality duty contained in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”) by reference to the law itself and also the relevant Equality Impact Assessment, which was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Act.
Having fully considered all the available information, I have decided to reject the alternative options and take the recommended decision to:
Delegate authority to the Executive Director: Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning to:
1. Delay the implementation of the previous Decision regarding the Procurement of Electronic Call Monitoring (ECM) system for use from April 2023 taken on 4th July 2022 and deliver to the revised timetable set out in this report. Specifically:
a) Conduct a further competition process under the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Framework 394_19 in respect of a call-off contract for the supply of Electronic Homecare Monitoring and Scheduling Solutions. The proposed call-off contract shall continue for an initial period of 3 years and include an option to extend its term for a further period of not more than 2 years;
b) In the event that the ESPO Framework 394_19 for the supply of Electronic Homecare Monitoring and Scheduling Solutions has expired and is not replaced, to conduct a further competition process under a suitable alternative framework or conduct a competitive procurement process in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 for the same;
c) Award such call-off contract to the preferred tenderer; and
d) Determine whether to exercise the option to extend such contract for a further period of not more than 2 years prior to the expiry of the initial 3-year term.
2. Vary the term for the existing two contracts with Access UK Ltd for the supply and maintenance of Electronic Call Monitoring (ECM) systems for Home Care and Supported Living Providers in Gloucestershire to extend their term for a period of up to 2 years until either a further competition or full procurement process can be completed in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 20150
For the reasons set out in the report.