Need for modification brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority/entity could not foresee Description of the circumstances which rendered the modification necessary and explanation of the unforeseen nature of these circumstances:
The original contract is due to expire in September 2022. In order to provide a replacement service, the Welsh Ministers would need to commence procurements proceedings imminently. Welsh Government staff in the Department of Economy, Skills and Natural Resources (where the oversight for this service sits) have been largely re-deployed to manage the Welsh Ministers' response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is in addition to any sickness in the department or employees being away from work due to any shielding obligations or family commitments. These conditions have perpetuated and although it appears that there will be no further lockdowns and business is getting back on track, Welsh Government employees have to be redeployed back to their usual work and the procurement must be planned. There is insufficient time to properly scope and re-design the service in time for a new procurement to be launched and a new contract awarded by September 2022. There is also insufficient time to allow for orderly exit and implementation periods as the new service transitions. These circumstances were completely unforseen by the Welsh Ministers and the extension is being put in place to allow capacity levels within the relevant departments to return to normal and commence a procurement.
Lot 1: North West Wales (Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Conwy and Denbighshire) was awarded to Menter Môn Cyf. The value is 833,333.00 GBP
Lot 2: Mid Wales (Powys and Ceredigion)was awarded to Business in Focus Limited. The value is: 833,333.00 GBP
Lot 3: South West Wales including South West Valleys (Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire) was awarded to Business in Focus. The value is: 833,333.00 GBP
Lot 4: South East Valleys (Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen) was awarded to Welsh Ice. The value is: 833,333.00 GBP
The estimated value of this contract over the 4 lots is between 3,333,333.00 GBP and 4,166,666.00 GBP (excluding VAT). During the period of the contract the Welsh Ministers may pilot and develop new services to be delivered by or through the contractor at the Enterprise Hubs, if the need so requires. 833,333 GBP (excluding VAT) of the 4,166,666.00 GBP (excluding VAT) is incorporated into the contract value to cover the cost of these potential new services which could be allocated across one or more of the lots subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Welsh Ministers.
To ensure a timely response please forward a copy of any questions or enquiries to BusinessDivision@gov.wales
(WA Ref:116903)