Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive on the Award of Contract for specialist electoral printing contractors.

(1)   That in accordance with paragraph 14(k) of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (Alternative Procedures in Prescribed Circumstances), Cabinet agreed to the direct appointment of Print for Business Limited trading as Print.UK.Com Print UK for the reasons set out in the report.

(2)   The contract term will be for a maximum period of 4 years.

Report of the Chief Executive on the Award of Contract for specialist electoral printing contractors.

(1)        The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

(1)  That in accordance with paragraph 14(k) of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (Alternative Procedures in Prescribed Circumstances), Cabinet agreed to the direct appointment of Print for Business Limited trading as Print.UK.Com Print UK for the reasons set out in the report.

(2)  The contract term will be for a maximum period of 4 years and spend of no more than £200,000.

(2)       Reasons for the Decision

Electoral printing is a specialist field which must be accurate, secure, confidential and produced on time whether for a by election or a major UK wide election.

The Council had used the same specialist firm of electoral printing contractors for many years. In Summer 2021, however, they announced changes to their operations and their intent to move out of elections printing.

Work commenced to procure a new firm and initially, the Council explored whether this could be shared with Watford and Broxbourne councils. While the preliminary fact finding was done jointly, the other Councils had decided to use their own internal processes to directly appoint Print.Uk.com.

Officers were seeking similar authorisation from Cabinet to make a direct appointment to Print Uk.com and the reasons for this were outlined in the report.

The selection of this company had been done based upon referral from other Councils rather than a traditional procurement. This approach was recommended on the basis of the specialist requirements and against the risks of having to appoint an unfamiliar provider for such a high-profile area.

Print.UK.com had a dedicated team of experienced professionals who all understand the world of elections, and the flexibility and urgency of getting this right first time. They undertake contractual work for over 40 local authorities across the UK, and as a group work with nearly 100 local authorities across the UK. Their branch is based in Windsor and will allow relatively easy local inspection during the pre-election preparations.

Print.UK.com had confirmed that should they be successfully awarded the contract, they would have sufficient capacity to deliver on any work that Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council would instruct them on.