Decision details

The primary objective is to consolidate arrangements across the three authorities for the provision and supply of fuels to schools and corporate buildings. Optimising the authorities’ leverage across the Orbis partners; Focussing on collaboration and common agreement, but allowing for individual needs to be met; Increasing best practice across utilities management and purchasing; Create efficiencies and reduction in resource requirements related to the procurement of, and management of contracts.

It was decided that this contract for East Sussex County Council should be awarded to Certas Energy UK Ltd as a result of a joint further competition carried out by Crown Commercial Services on behalf of all three Orbis partner Councils proving the best value for money (option 1).

Option 2: Conduct mini competition

To access CCS Framework RM3801 and conduct a mini competition for the Orbis partners. This approach would not necessarily achieve such good rates as those expected via the bulk further competition being carried out by CCS. Orbis staff time spent on this option would be greater in having to organise the competition and carry out the evaluations.

Option 3: ESPO Framework

Further competition would have to be carried out to establish supply for East Sussex under this framework. ESPO doesn’t offer a bulk competition for greater leverage, as CCS under Option 1

Option 4: Conduct tender exercise

This approach is unlikely to produce the best results due to the results due to the relatively small scale of the Orbis portfolio compared to that of most large purchasing organisations