Decision details

In September 2024, a contract was awarded to Jacobs UK Ltd, via Direct Award, to address the first (early/transitional) activities from Outline Business Case (OBC) to Full Business Case (FBC) and to produce and then submit the FBC when it is ready – currently programmed for submission to Department for Transport in Spring 2026. The contract value for the FBC development was increased and subject to a separate key decision in March 2025.

As part of the FBC, the Council is required to include an accurate price for carrying out these improvement works. For a contractor (Balfour Beatty Regional Civils) to be able to price the works, a detailed design for the A22 package of 5 junction improvements and active travel measures is required.

As the OBC and preliminary designs for the junction improvements and active travel measures were produced by Jacobs Ltd and they are also producing the FBC, the Council believe that Jacobs are in the best position to progress this detailed design work.

Jacobs UK Ltd were therefore provided a scope of requirements and asked to submit a proposal through the Crown Commercial Services (CCS), Construction Professional Services Framework (RM 6165). The proposal fulfilled the Councils requirements and was within the framework pricing guidelines and the Council’s budget.

The proposal cost for the detailed design is £3,175,740.46 and will be commissioned under the NEC4 option C (target cost) via the CCS framework. The total value triggers a Key Decision as it will result in the Council incurring expenditure which is above £500,000 per annum.
The modification of the existing contract was signed off by the Head of Procurement and the Director for Communities, Economy & Transport on 25 March 2025.

Commission Jacobs UK Ltd to undertake the detailed design and associated activities to enable the construction of the A22 Major Road Network package of junction and active travel improvements in the Hailsham, Polegate and Stone Cross area.

Various alternative options considered in consultation with the Communities Economy and Transport Contracts Management Group.

1. Award detailed design contract through a framework via a mini-competition – discounted as process would be time intensive and more costly to deliver if alternative provider commissioned who has less knowledge of the background to scheme and designs.

2. Award detailed design and construction through a design and build contract –discounted as the management costs would be higher; process would be time intensive and costly option to deliver.

3. Award the detailed design to WSP (as professional services provider) through the existing highway contract - discounted process of handover and onboarding WSP would be time intensive and more costly (compared to proposed option) as would have less knowledge of the background to the scheme and require time/cost to review designs. In addition, WSP are providing project management support to ESCC project team so potential conflicts within/between WSP could arise.

In comparison to the alternative options, the option to award direct to Jacobs through the CCS framework was identified as the most appropriate in terms of time and cost efficiency as well as capitalising on their previous extensive knowledge of the project through the preliminary design and outline business case development.