Waste PFI contract expiry and transition support

Challenge

The council appointed SLR to support the provision of a new delivery model for the their waste services and to ensure that new, best value contractual arrangements were in place when the council’s 25-year PFI (private finance initiative) contract expires.

The initial process of options appraisal concluded that the most favourable future service delivery model would comprise:

• Continued outsourcing of waste collection services.
• Bringing the operation of household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) and transfer stations under direct council control.
• Managing the materials in-house, in partnership with neighbouring local authorities.

Solution

The SLR team provided a range of technical advisory support functions comprising:

• Pre-procurement options appraisal, including cost benefit and SWOT analysis of potential future service delivery models.
• Development of outline business case (OBC) and full business case (FBC).
  Procurement strategy development.
• Drafting of tender documentation including evaluation framework, service specification, pricing schedule, payment mechanism, and performance management framework.
• Technical advisor support to the council throughout the procurement using the competitive procedure with negotiation (CPN) including responses to clarifications, evaluation of tender submissions, leading negotiation with bidders and liaison with legal and financial advisors.
• Establishment, management and co-ordination of council working groups to facilitate the process of bringing previously outsourced services in-house.

Impact

The procurement was successfully completed in accordance with the anticipated timeframe, resulting in a new contract for provision of waste collection services which incorporates delivery of improved and expanded services whilst satisfying the council’s future budgetary constraints.

We were retained to work with the council in supporting the process of bringing other waste services in-house whilst mobilising the new waste collection contract.

"SLR have been an invaluable partner to the Council in our reimagining, planning and delivering a new waste service model. They have brought challenge and drive to the work, working tirelessly and supportively with both our internal colleagues and other external advisors helping us to meet the necessary outcomes for the Council and our residents. We would not hesitate to use them again."

Simon Graham, Group Manager - South Gloucestershire Council