Borders Council's "light touch" in awarding £470,000 contract

 by EWAN LAMB

A £472,000 contract linked to the Inspire learning programme in Scottish Borders schools has been awarded to a one man consultancy in Greenock without seeking competitive tenders.

Details of the valuable deal have been revealed in a contract award notice posted by the council on the Public Contracts Scotland website today (Christmas Eve).

The Scottish Borders Council (SBC) Inspire Learning programme is a £16m investment "in a world class digital learning environment for all pupils", according to the local authority's own literature.

A SBC explanatory document states: "The project has been developed by a partnership of ourselves, CGI, XMA and Apple. The programme is a key part of our Digital Learning Strategy and transform teaching and learning in our schools for the benefit of children and young people now, and into the future. It includes plans for iPads to be provided to all P5-S6 pupils."

There was a degree of controversy recently when the Borders local authority, meeting in private, sanctioned extensions to an existing IT contract with specialists CGI until 2040, also without inviting competitive tenders. The arrangement effectively binds the next three elected administrations at SBC to CGI as supplier of digital services.

Today's notice says the contract awarded to Andrew Jewell Education Ltd., of Finnart Street, Greenock, is to provide a Specialist Educational Management service to deliver the Inspire Learning programme within Scottish Borders Council. 

It adds: "The Council has engaged the services of this specialist educational training and development organisation to deliver this key education transformation project for a three year period at a cost of £283,500 with the option to extend for a further two years with an additional cost of £189,000 if this option is taken. Total value of the contract: £472 500.00.

"Following the completion of the device roll out (foundation stage) of Inspire Learning Programme Scottish Borders Council is contracting the services of Andrew Jewell Education to lead, support and advise the educational model.

"Educationally Inspire now moves to a focus on pedagogy and professional learning. Andrew Jewell Education is being engaged to deliver including but not limited to the following services: Launching and developing the Inspire Learning Academy in Scottish Borders. Supporting the education objectives of Scottish Borders Education team. Delivering the aims of the Inspired Learning programme in Scottish Borders. Leading the ongoing work of Inspire Learning Academy alongside Catherine Thomson.

"Showcasing and promoting the work of Inspire Learning and the Inspire Learning Academy at national /global level."

And the local authority goes on to confirm: "Scottish Borders Council have awarded this public contract as a direct award following the light touch regime rules in accordance with Article 74 of the Public Contracts Directive 2014/24/EU. The light touch regime allows for direct awards for Health, Social, Education and certain other contracts without seeking competition in the marketplace."