Procurement of construction consultancy/contractors

Can you please tell me the following:

1. How you procure Construction Consultancy Services. 

2. How you procure Construction Contractors

3. If by your own framework, please tell me:

a. The titles and content of the relevant framework

b. Who is on the current frameworks?

c. The start and end dates of the frameworks

d. Any possible extension periods to the frameworks

e. The name and contact email of person responsible for the frameworks.

Thank you for your e-mail dated 20^th April 2010.  We are pleased to provide you with the following information, please be aware that not all the relevant information Ordnance Survey holds has been provided with this response, as parts of it fall under an exemption within the Freedom of Information Act, with the relevant sections and reasons detailed below:

1. Procurement of construction consultancy services is handled on an ad-hoc and exceptional basis i.e. the need would be infrequent and dependent on projects. They may be sourced by Ordnance Survey for this particular task.

2. Ordnance Survey procure construction contractors via competitive procurement, advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union.

3a. Ordnance Survey has one core contract for: The provision of construction consultancy services in support of the design and build of a new headquarters building, and one core contract for: The design and build of a new headquarters building, rather than a set of frameworks.

I can confirm that Ordnance Survey does hold this information in relation to the content of each of the above contracts, however I regret to inform you that your request falls within the Commercial Interests exemption under section 43 (2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

We believe this exemption applies because this information is commercially sensitive to both Ordnance Survey and the two companies with whom we have these contracts, therefore we will not be releasing this information to you.

To the extent that the Public interest test applies (section 17 FOIA), we have determined that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in with holding this information outweighs that of disclosure at this time.

3b. Ordnance Survey is able to advise ‘The provision of construction consultancy services in support of the design and build of a new headquarters building’ core contract is with Design Team Solutions, and ‘The contract for the design and build of a new headquarters building’ is with Kier Property Developments Ltd.

3c. The Construction Consultancy contract with Design Team Solutions commenced on 9^th March 2007 and is projected until 31^st December 2010.

The Development Contract with Kier Property Developments Ltd is from the 9^th March 2007 and is also projected until 31^st December 2010. 

3d.Yes, it is possible.

3e. The person responsible is Julia Painter and her e-mail is: Julia.painter@ordnancesurvey.co.uk.

Please note that your enquiry has been processed to Freedom of Information guidelines.  Where information has been provided, we have determined the Public interest consideration (section 17 FOIA) is not applicable in those instances.

If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal to our Appeals Officer at:

Complaints Team

Customer Service Centre

Ordnance Survey

Romsey Road

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 4GU 

Please include the reference number below. The Appeals Officer will ensure that the process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of additional information if appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Reference number: FOI1068/April 2010