Handling and freight services

Norfolk County Council had a requirement to purchase Personal Protective Equipment to protect staff and others against Covid-19. In order to import goods it required the services of a freight handling and logistics service. Norfolk County Council has purchased these services without prior publication in accordance with regulation 32 2(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015: (a) The services were necessary to purchase necessary personal protective equipment required by staff of the Council and those working in the front line in Norfolk to protect themselves and others against Covid-19 in accordance with Public Health England guidance and; (b) The goods were required urgently to protect workers from infection and to prevent spread of Covid-19 in Norfolk, hence freight handling and logistics services were required urgently, and therefore the time limits for the open or restricted procedure or competitive procedures with negotiation could not be complied with and; (c) Covid-19 and therefore, the requirement for personal protective equipment, was an event unforeseeable by the Council