Award

HMICFRS Benchmarking Inspection

SOUTH WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

15 Oct 2024 at 09:25

Award

09 Aug 2024 at 13:04

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "HMICFRS Benchmarking Inspection" project, managed by the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS), has reached the award stage. Under this contract, the inspectors will evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of SWFRS, dovetailing with findings from the Morris Review that highlighted institutional issues. This comprehensive evaluation covers how the service looks after its personnel and benchmarks performance across the English Fire and Rescue Service Sector. The project, classified under the "Performance review services" category, is set in Wales with a focus on delivering independent insights to inform SWFRS's recovery progress. The contract involved limited procurement without a prior call for competition and was awarded to the Home Office, effective from September 2024, with an allocated budget of £322,000.

This tender offers significant opportunities for consultancies and firms specialising in performance reviews and public sector efficiency evaluations. Businesses experienced in handling large-scale inspections and possessing robust methodologies for assessing organisational effectiveness could find this project appealing. The specifics of the engagement demand a deep understanding of fire and rescue services, making it particularly suitable for niche market players who can support SWFRS’s strategic objectives, enhance transparency, and promote accountability within public service sectors. With the focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), organisations adept at promoting fairness and embracing diversity will find this project a fitting platform to demonstrate their expertise and contribute substantially to SWFRS’s transformation efforts.

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Notice Title

HMICFRS Benchmarking Inspection

Notice Description

Engagement of inspectors to undertake a full inspection of the efficiency and effectiveness of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service including how well the service looks after its people and benchmark across the English Fire and Rescue Service Sector.

Lot Information

Lot 1

On 3 January 2024, an independent report on the culture of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) was published (Morris Review), which exposed widespread discriminatory and abusive behaviour and serious failings of leadership and management. Considering the report's findings, the Welsh Government used its powers of direction under section 29(5) and (6) of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 to remove the elected members from the governance functions of the fire authority and to replace them by appointing four Commissioners. The Commissioners have been charged with ensuring the full (where possible) and sustainable implementation of recommendations arising from that independent review and three thematic reviews undertaken by the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor and Inspector (CFRAI). This is the minimum part of the Commissioners' scope, and they are developing a set of milestones and objectives that chart a way forward. It has been agreed with Welsh Government that an independent evaluation of SWFRS will be critical to demonstrating the progress towards recovery that SWFRS makes under their stewardship, and to informing a decision to bring the intervention to an end. The importance of robust regimes for inspections and audit was also raised in the Equality and Social Justice Committee report "Sound the Alarm". While the CFRAI is independent of Welsh Government, it is recognised that they are not resourced to undertake an inspection of the scale. A full inspection of the efficiency and effectiveness of SWFRS, would include how well the Service looks after its people. It would identify any areas of concern and areas for improvement, and where appropriate, make recommendations to address them. It would build on the Morris Review by adding further context and insight into the people elements, as well as contributing to the research arising from the thematic reviews. This richer picture will enable the Service to fully understand its capability, performance, and outcomes in a structured and measured way. This work will give the Commissioners, the Service, and indeed Welsh Government a comprehensive understanding and supporting data about the performance of the organisation. It is on this basis that Welsh Government have expressed support for the proposal. Inspections, on which this review would be modelled, are routine and regularly conducted in FRSs across the UK, and are part of the ongoing context to support performance improvement for the sector and to deliver better outcomes for the public.

Procurement Information

Following publication of the independent report on South Wales Fire and Rescue Service culture, it has been agreed with Welsh Government (WG) to undertake an independent review of SWFRS to inspect efficiency and effectiveness, providing comprehensive understanding of performance and further context and insight on people elements.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-048972
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033096-2024
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79313000 - Performance review services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£322,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Oct 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Aug 20241 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOUTH WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
Contact Name
Lee Bunkham
Contact Email
l-bunkham@southwales-fire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1443232082

Buyer Location

Locality
LLANTRISANT
Postcode
CF72 8LX
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend
Delivery Location
TLL Wales

Local Authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Electoral Ward
Llantrisant and Talbot Green
Westminster Constituency
Pontypridd

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

HOME OFFICE

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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