2. Introduction
The Procurement of quality contractors has always been an
ongoing challenge in our sector and one that we continue to
manage in Kensington & Chelsea on a daily basis.
In 2015 operating with a Team of 3 we worked solely in the private
sector (DFG, Discretionary Grants) within RBKC; however, in 2019 we
also took on the management of the council’s stock previously
managed by KCTMO. This doubled our caseload and the
requirement for us to increase our Team and our contractor
resource in order to meet this increase in demand.
This required us to Procure for new contractors
3. How we currently Procure
Contractors
Contractors approach us via recommendations from other councils,
recommendations via OT’s (Specialist Equipment), or directly to the
council, new forms of professional networking e.g Linked in
Application for Inclusion Form Inc. references Compliance checks (e.g.
liability insurance, CHAS, NICEIC, GAS safe, Construction line, EXOR
etc)
New Vendor Fraud prevention
New Vendor Finance checks
Following Selection Procurement: Traditional Tendering via Capital E
Sourcing (RBKC/Westminster) Procurement Portal.
Works not currently advertised on Open Contractor
4. Example of typical Issues
Workmanship – Quality of Workmanship, Technical Knowledge,
Ability to overcome unforeseen issues
Communication – Poor communication with residents and not
updating Contract Administrator
Time and Attendance Issues
Consistency with works
Overstretched – Taking on too many additional contracts
Unnecessary Additional costs
8. Steps taken
to Resolve
contractor
issues
Contractor Code of Conduct Guidelines
imbedded in Procurement Portal
Test new contractor on smaller works
before offering them to Tender for larger
contracts
Contractor Performance Management
Pre-contract/Pre-site meeting – Helps to
reinforce contract expectations
Mid works site checks
SOR’s / Partnering Agreements – Initial
visit with all parties
Discussion/ Suggestions:
What measures can be put in place to
mitigate against poor contractor
performance and Procure quality specialist
contractors?
