In February 2001 Robert Long Consultancy responded to a request from Portsmouth City Council for details of the company’s experience in dealing with municipal waste contracts. 

In April 2001 we were commissioned to undertake the necessary research, development and tendering of a new waste collection contract to start on 1 April 2002.  The brief was broken down into five key stages:-

• ¨                 Advice on contract options - RLCL advised the Council as to the suitability of linking waste collection and/or street cleansing to the major, ground-breaking PFI contract being developed to cover the highways in Portsmouth.

• ¨                 Industry consultation - RLCL interviewed all waste contractors interested in delivering the waste collection contract.  This process of consultation was extremely useful as it delivered a requirement of Best Value and aided the development of a contract which is attractive from a supplier point of view.

• ¨                 Brainstorming sessions - two brainstorming sessions were organised and facilitated by RLCL staff and associates.  The first session consulted members, senior officers and key stakeholders and was very successful in highlighting the framework and key elements to be considered in the new contract.  The second session concentrated on the detailed element of the contract.  Both sessions ensured that all interested parties had an opportunity to shape the contract and its requirements.

• ¨                 Waste collection contract - taking into account all the consultation, recycling targets and legislation, RLCL has worked very closely with the council in writing the Conditions of Contract, Specification and Pricing Document which was put out to tender on the 5th October 2001.

• ¨                 Tender evaluation - RLCL will be actively involved in the tender evaluation process and we are confident the procurement of an economic and efficient waste collection service in Portsmouth.

Peter King, City Engineer says “Our collaboration with Robert Long Consultancy has been very fruitful.  The expertise they have brought to the development of the new contractual requirements should help us to deliver the council’s expectations for a Best Value service.”

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