Cabinet, at its meeting on 20 January 2021 delegated authority to the Executive Director for Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery and the Head of Law and Governance, to enter into contracts, following agreement of the Development Board and an appropriate procurement process, for the walking and cycling infrastructure works covered by the HIF Agreement with Homes England.

The decision is to appoint consultants to design the proposed path works at Osney, once Homes England have confirmed they are satisfied the HIF funding for the works can be drawn down. These works will improve the path between Osney Mead industrial estate (which has just been the subject of footpath/cyclepath improvements undertaken by Oxford University funded by the Local Growth Fund) and the proposed bridge between Oxpens and Osney. This part of the route will help to facilitate development at Osney Mead and the aim is provide a safe route at times of flood. The works will be funded using Housing Infrastructure Funding that has been secured for the works.

A tender was advertised using the Homes England Property Professional Services Framework portal on 21st May, 2021.

Following publication of the invitations to tender, a total of two consultants had submitted tender returns.

The tenders were evaluated on 60% quality against five key criteria, and 40% against the price. Stantec submitted the best offer in terms of quality and cost and have been selected to undertake the work. The value of the contract is £165k.

This decision is necessary to enable progress towards the delivery of the works by the HIF deadline of December 2022. The works require careful design to address the technical constraints and sensitive location alongside the Thames and therefore a multidisciplinary team are best placed to undertake the design work.  

Alternative procurement approaches were considered but the use of the Homes England Framework was considered expedient to enable the appointment of consultants as soon as possible.

Tom Bridgman, Director of Development

Decision taken in consultation with Cllr Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery, and Susan Sale, Head of Law and Governance