Joint Waste Enforcement Soft Market Testing

This soft market testing exercise concerns the renewal of an innovative joint contract for environmental enforcement. Harrow, Hounslow and Ealing councils have joined together to deliver a more efficient service, widening the scope of environmental enforcement activity, sharing of overhead costs, expertise and allowing greater flexibility. This contract is for the provision of Enforcement Services by way of the issue of fixed penalty notices in respect of a range of environmental and highways related enforcement legislation including but not limited to the: • Environmental Protection Act 1990; • Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005; • Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1990 and 1996; • Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003; • Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and 1987 • Anti-social behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014; • Highways Act 1980 • London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 • Town and Country Planning Act 1990 • In 2016/17, over 20,000 fixed penalties were issued for littering and fly tipping across the participating borough areas.

In the latest iteration of the contract the activity rate has risen to between 600 and 800 fixed penalty notices paid per month. The proposed competitive procedure with negotiation procurement will involve a contractual structure which will allow other Councils and public bodies to join the joint arrangement. The Councils are keen to include some important, but peripheral activities, in the scope of the procurement including security and traffic direction. For these activities there will be a reimbursement mechanism per hour or per day as appropriate. The Councils have clear requirements for how vulnerable adults would be treated and in particular fixed penalty notices should not be served on minors.

Areas for discussion

The Councils would like to explore with suppliers the following aspects of this significant and imminent procurement:- Payment mechanism for the contract Affordability thresholds Procurement route Contract structure o Risk partition Performance monitoring and enhancement Optimal contract term Expansion of client base Expansion of the service base Technology renewal with time o What is the current envelope for reliable, innovative technology? Social value o What metrics and KPIs to apply?  How to catalyse benefits in education, employment and skills? TUPE indemnification The robust rejection of non- economically sustainable tenders Mobilisation and service set up o How much time do you need to mobilise?

Applying

If you would like to see us to discuss this opportunity please write in no more than 1000 words describing your interest in the procurement, your past experience in the field and the points you would like to discuss. Soft market testing is planned to take place on the 23rd and 24th January 2023 in Ealing.