Award

Building Control Management Services

CHELMSFORD CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

08 Apr 2026 at 10:50

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

16 Dec 2025 at 12:27

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

16 Dec 2025 at 12:12

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Building Control Management Services contract by Chelmsford City Council in the UK, awarded to Sarto Thomas, addresses a critical need caused by a national shortage of qualified building control inspectors. The procurement process, characterised by a direct award method, ensures the continuity of essential building control services within the Chelmsford area. This 12-month contract, valued at £192,000 excluding VAT (£230,000 gross), spans from 31st January 2026 to 30th January 2027. The direct award was justified under Section 41, 42, and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 due to the absence of a viable alternative and the need to maintain service continuity. The procurement falls under the services category, with a completed status and delivery within the United Kingdom, specifically targeting the region of UKH3.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in public administration support, management services, and personnel supply. SMEs like Sarto Thomas, with specialised knowledge and an established understanding of council systems and processes, are well-positioned to benefit from such contracts. The direct award acknowledges the critical integration and knowledge developed by the supplier during their initial contract. Businesses experienced in providing qualified personnel services could seize similar opportunities in sectors facing skill shortages, fostering business growth through strategic partnerships with public sector organisations.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Building Control Management Services

Notice Description

Chelmsford City Council has a statutory duty to provide building control services within its geographical area. Due to a national shortage of qualified building control inspectors, the council has been unable to recruit permanently to this role despite repeated attempts. To prevent a breakdown in statutory service delivery, the council previously awarded a 6-month temporary contract to Sarto Thomas to provide a Building Control Manager. This contract is due to expire, and recruitment efforts remain unsuccessful. The Council has undertaken a direct award for a further 12 month contract to ensure continuity of services.

Procurement Information

Justification for Direct Award under Section 41, 42 and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 The Council is making a direct award to Sarto Thomas for a further 12 months on the following grounds: 1. Continuity of Essential Service: A change of supplier at this point would create a significant gap in service delivery, causing operational disruption and failing to meet the Council's legal obligations. 2. Knowledge and Integration: The supplier has developed specific knowledge of the council's systems, processes, and ongoing caseload during the initial contract. Replicating this with a new supplier would require substantial duplication of cost and time. 3. Absence of Viable Alternative: The council's master vendor contract was previously unable to fulfil this specialised requirement. The ongoing national skills shortage means a competitive tender is unlikely to yield a suitable alternative in the necessary timeframe. 4. Proportionate and Necessary: The award is limited to 12 months to maintain service continuity while the council pursues a permanent recruitment solution and/or develops a longer-term procurement strategy for this critical function. This direct award is considered necessary and proportionate to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of the council's statutory building control service.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f69c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031851-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79620000 - Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£192,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£192,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Dec 20254 months ago
Contract Period
31 Jan 2026 - 30 Jan 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CHELMSFORD CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1JE
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Marconi
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SARTO THOMAS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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