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Ipswich Borough Council has bypassed its usual market testing process to award an urgent £79,000 contract, citing the need to quickly implement new project management tools to deliver planned savings.
The big picture: The council's director of transformation and change has approved a three-year contract with Smartsheet UK without going through the standard competitive tendering process.
Why it matters: This decision highlights the urgency of the council's need to implement new project management systems.
By the numbers:
Total cost of £79,312 excluding VAT
Three-year contract
Six service areas already use the system
Two working days are committed for the initial implementation
Between the lines: The council justified skipping market testing under Contract Standing Orders paragraph 10.2, arguing that:
The current lack of proper infrastructure tools compromises project governance
Existing familiarity with Smartsheet in six service areas would minimise training time
The system is needed urgently to deliver savings programmes
What's next: The contract is set to begin in October 2024, with Project Plan Services partnering to provide integration support and training.
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