Decision Maker: Corporate Director Children and Young People's Services
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
To approve procurement of a contract for radio
aids, associated equipment and maintenance thereof.
That the Authority procure a supplier of
specialist hearing technology jointly with the City of York
Council. This will enable the Authority to be compliant in its duty
to remove barriers to learning as set out in Special Education
Needs Code of Practice 0 to 25 years. The contract will commence on
the 1st August 2021 for an initial term of three years with a
possible extension of two years.
North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) is
committed to ensuring children and young people have access to
education. Many deaf and hearing-impaired children and young people
are unable to access education without the use of additional
specialist hearing technology alongside their own personal hearing
equipment. The equipment required are Radio Aids which are small,
discreet and mobile and can be used with children and young people
through each stage of their education. Their lifespan is
approximately 5 years and the cost per unit is approximately
£1,765.
The local authority is duty bound to supply this equipment as part
of its commitment to inclusive practice and removing barriers to
learning as set out in the Special Education Needs Code of Practice
0 to 25 years.
Advice was sought from Procurement and Contract Management Service
and several procurement methods were reviewed for their
suitability. Several neighbouring Authorities were also contacted
in order to evaluate any commercial prospects from devising our own
in house framework however, a lack of interest deemed this route to
be unnecessary. Therefore, to ensure that North Yorkshire County
Council complies with both the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and
the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice an Open Procedure
will be used to procure a supplier for the Provision of Radio Aids,
Associated Equipment and Maintenance.
By conducting a procurement exercise NYCC will ensure they are
securing the most competitive price for equipment whilst meeting
our requirements as an Authority to provide these devices to the
young people in our community.
Alternative procurement framework options were
reviewed and not deemed fit for purpose as all were aimed at the
adult market.
Publication date: 24/05/2021
Date of decision: 20/05/2021
Effective from: 02/06/2021
Accompanying Documents: