North West Contractor Framework

Wirral Borough Council (the "Council") as the Contracting Authority in partnership with Procure Partnerships Framework Limited has let a Closed North West Contractor Framework. The Framework will have a maximum duration of four years and may be used to award contracts for the Council's pipeline of works and will be accessible by North West Public Sector Bodies / Contracting Authorities.

The Framework consists of Thirteen (13) Lots broadly categorised as Construction Lots (Lots 1-6) / Infrastructure Lots (Lots 7-12) / Demolition Lot (Lot 13). The Council aimed to appoint 10 Contractors to each Framework Lot with the exception of Lot 13 Demolition which has one single contractor. Lots 1 - 12 will be accessible by Public Sector Bodies / Contracting Authorities in the North West Region (UKD). Lot 13 will be accessible by Public Sector Bodies / Contracting Authorities in the Merseyside Region (UKD7).

Subject to the number of suitable applicants, the highest scoring 10 Contractors for each Lot have been awarded a place on that Framework Lot and will be ranked from 1 to 10. The highest scoring Contractor becoming the Rank 1 Contractor, the second highest becoming the Rank 2 Contractor etc. One reserve position has been allocated to Lot 13 Demolition. The Reserve Contractor was the Tenderer which ranked second. The Reserve Contractor may be brought on to the Framework at any stage during its term where the Council permanently excludes or terminates the Framework Agreement with a Contractor (having won a place on the Framework) for poor performance or otherwise (e.g., insolvency) as provided for in the Framework Agreement. The Reserve Contractor may be brought onto the Framework if the Rank 1 Contractor declines an opportunity from an End User for any reason.

The intended number of 10 Contractors per Lot was subject to variation as follows:

The maximum number of Contractors awarded a place on each Lot may increase only where two or more suppliers have tied scores, and are jointly placed in the last position (tenth) in respect of each Lot. In such a case, the Contractors who are tied with the same score in the last position for each Lot shall be deemed to be one Contractor for the purpose of calculating the maximum number of Contractors for each Lot. The Council will award a Framework Agreement to additional Contractors where their final score is within 0.01 - 1.00% of the awarded last place position only. For the avoidance of doubt, last position for each lot is tenth position. Only one contractor will be awarded a place on Lot 13 Demolition. One reserve place will be allocated to Lot 13.

Where two or more Contractors have tied scores and are in any position except for the last (tenth) position for each Lot, the number of Contractors will fill the positions immediately following the position that they have tied for. For example, where two Contractors are tied in the sixth position, they will occupy the sixth and seventh positions. For example; where three Contractors are tied in the sixth position, they will occupy that sixth position as well as the seventh and eighth position respectively for the purpose of calculating the maximum number of Contractors in respect of the Lot in question. If less than ten Contractors meet the selection criteria to get on each Framework Lot, the Council reserves the right to proceed to establish the Framework with less than ten Contractors on each Lot or to cancel the procurement of that Lot.

Further where a Contractor's total score (based on the technical and commercial award criteria) for a Lot ranks them within the top ten Contractors but is under 50%, then on the basis that the Council does not wish to compromise on the calibre of appointed Contractors, the Council reserves the right not to offer them a place on the Framework, and to proceed to award that Lot to less than ten Contractors.

Pursuant to Section 51 of the Procurement Act 2023, the Council has allowed a minimum of eight working days, starting the day the contract award notice was published and the award of the Framework Agreements.