DMFD298 Operational research and modelling services

1.1    Report LFC-26-059 to the London Fire Commissioner (LFC) sets out London Fire Brigade’s (LFB’s) request to re-procure a contract for ongoing operational research support and modelling services. This is a summary of that report. 

1.2    LFB has a longstanding relationship with Operational Research in Health Limited (ORH). LFB last procured operational research and modelling services from ORH in November 2022; this was to support the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) and other priorities. LFB ran its last procurement in two parts. The cost for each part was under the £150,000 approval threshold for Deputy Mayor for Fire Decisions. 

1.3    Since then, ORH has worked with LFB to develop the Dynamic Cover Tool (DCT), which is used in the London Operations Centre (known as Control). The DCT provides real time operational research and simulation modelling. This is used to support Control managers in making temporary appliance moves when there is high demand or reduced resource availability.
 

2.1    LFB is seeking approval to re procure a contract with ORH that includes the continued use and development of the DCT and associated operational research and modelling services. LFB anticipates that a successful procurement will: 

•    provide continuity of service for both elements
•    continue to support scenario modelling and evidence-based decision making for LFB’s CRMP and wider priorities.

2.2    The contract would be for three years, with the option to extend for up to two one-year periods (totalling five years – three years, plus one year, plus one year). LFB proposes to use a Government Commercial Agency framework as its preferred compliant route to market (i.e., Blue Light Solutions (lot 5) of the Vertical Application Solutions Framework). 
 

3.1    The LFC, and the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service (the Deputy Mayor), are required to have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty (section 149 of the Equality Act 2010) when taking decisions. The Public Sector Equality Duty requires the identification and evaluation of the likely potential impacts, both positive and negative, of the decision on those with protected characteristics (see paragraph 3.3). 

3.2    It is important to note that consideration of the Public Sector Equality Duty is not a one-off task. The duty must be fulfilled before taking a decision; at the time of taking a decision; and after the decision has been taken. 

3.3    The protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership (but only in respect of the requirements to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination), race (ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, and sexual orientation. 

3.4    The Public Sector Equality Duty requires decision-takers in the exercise of all their functions, to have due regard to the need to: 

•    eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other prohibited conduct 
•    advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it 
•    foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. 

3.5    Having due regard to the need to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to: 

•    remove or minimise disadvantages suffered by persons who share a relevant protected characteristic where those disadvantages are connected to that characteristic 
•    take steps to meet the needs of persons who share a relevant protected characteristic that are different from the needs of persons who do not share it 
•    encourage persons who share a relevant protected characteristic to participate in public life or in any other activity in which participation by such persons is disproportionately low. 

3.6    The steps involved in meeting the needs of disabled persons that are different from the needs of persons who are not disabled include, in particular, steps to take account of disabled persons’ disabilities. 

3.7    Having due regard to the need to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to: 

•    tackle prejudice 
•    promote understanding. 

3.8    LFB has not completed an Equalities Impact Assessment in relation to this proposal. It does not consider that the continued use of operational research services or the DCT will have any impact in relation to protected characteristics. 
 

Procurement comments

4.1    The LFC has an ongoing requirement for specialist consultancy services to support delivery of the CRMP. This includes operational research; modelling capability; and associated analytical tools. LFB’s current contract with ORH ends in November 2026. 

4.2    LFB proposes to use a Government Commercial Agency framework called Vertical Application Solutions (lot 5, Blue Light Solutions), to make a direct contract award to ORH that complies with the Public Contract Regulations 2015. The contract term will be up to five years (three years, plus one year, plus one year). 

4.3    LFB has identified a direct award to ORH as compliant, cost-effective and operationally viable for this procurement. LFB has determined that it does not have the capacity, or specialist capability, to undertake this work internally. LFB’s market testing identified ORH as the only feasible supplier. 

Sustainability comments

4.4    LFC-26-059 states that this procurement does not introduce any significant sustainability impacts. The Sustainable Development team is involved in assessing responsible procurement criteria during the procurement process. 

Conflicts of interest 

4.5    There are no conflicts of interest to declare from those involved in the drafting or clearance of this decision.
 

5.1    LFC-26-059 seeks approval for LFB to enter into a new contract for the provision of operational research and modelling services, and use of the DCT. The contract term is up to five years, and will begin upon expiry of the current agreement in November 2026. The services and products to be provided by the contract will satisfy ongoing requirements for consultancy services for operational research, including modelling and services in support of the CRMP. 

5.2    All costs related to the new agreement will be solely funded by the LFC revenue budget. The amount is set out in part 2.

5.3    There is sufficient budget cover for the contract across all years, as LFB has had an equivalent contract in place for several years. LFB has an ongoing requirement for these products and services. 
 

6.1    The LFC’s General Counsel’s department has confirmed the following. 

6.2    Under section 9 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017, the LFC is established as a corporation sole with the Mayor appointing the occupant of that office. Under section 327D of the GLA Act 1999, as amended by the Policing and Crime Act 2017, the Mayor may issue to the LFC specific or general directions as to the manner in which the holder of that office is to exercise his or her functions. 

6.3    By direction dated 1 April 2018, the Mayor set out those matters, for which the LFC would require the prior approval of either the Mayor or the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration & the Fire Service (the Deputy Mayor). 

6.4    Paragraph (b) of part 2 of the said direction requires the LFC to seek the prior approval of the Deputy Mayor before “[a] commitment to expenditure (capital or revenue) of £150,000 or above as identified in accordance with normal accounting practices”. 

6.5    The Deputy Mayor’s approval is accordingly required to authorise the LFC to commit revenue expenditure of up to the amount set out in part 2. This is to procure continued use and development of the DCT, and operational research and modelling services. 

6.6    The LFC may delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Procurement & Commercial to enter into a contract for procuring operational research and modelling services, and use of the DCT. This would be entered into in accordance with the arrangement set out in part 2.

6.7    The General Counsel has reviewed the report and notes that the proposed arrangement is consistent with the LFC’s power, under section 5A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, to do anything it considers appropriate for the purposes of the carrying out of any of its functions. 

6.8    Furthermore, under section 7 (2)(a) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, the LFC has the power to secure the provision of personnel, services and equipment necessary to efficiently meet all normal requirements for firefighting. 

6.9    The General Counsel also notes, at paragraph 5.4 of LFC-26-059 part 1, that the proposed procurement will be undertaken in accordance with the LFC’s procurement procedures, and through a compliant procurement process.