---
title: "Building Control Management Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f69c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f69c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f69c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f69c.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CHELMSFORD CITY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-04-08"
---

# Building Control Management Services

Buyer: CHELMSFORD CITY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f69c

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031851-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 16 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 31 Jan 2026 - 30 Jan 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £192,000 |
| Contracts value | £192,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CHELMSFORD CITY COUNCIL |
| Locality | CHELMSFORD |
| Post town | Chelmsford |
| Postcode | CM1 1JE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex |
| ITL 3 | TLH36 Heart of Essex |
| Local authority | Chelmsford |
| Electoral ward | Marconi |
| Westminster constituency | Chelmsford |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | SARTO THOMAS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79620000 - Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

## Release History

- 8 Apr 2026 at 10:50 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031851-2026
- 16 Dec 2025 at 12:27 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083324-2025
- 16 Dec 2025 at 12:12 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083310-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031851-2026
  8th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083324-2025
  16th December 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083310-2025
  16th December 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f69c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f69c.json.