Urdd Emergency Short-Term Accommodation

A contract to secure emergency accommodation for use as a Welcome Centre to provide temporary accommodation for people arriving from Ukraine at the Urdd accommodation.

It was necessary for accommodation to be arranged urgently in order to respond to urgent demand in Wales. Welsh Government has adopted a Super-Sponsor role within the UK Government Homes for Ukraine sponsorship programme, and has committed to arranging emergency accommodation and services through Welcome Centres in Wales. Up to 1,000 people are expected under the Super-Sponsor route, and this contract secures accommodation for 250 people.

Welsh Government were required to be ready to welcome people arriving from Ukraine by 18 March, and the direct contract with the Urdd was developed in the context of working to achieve this deadline. The Urdd accommodation offer was the only formal offer available of substantial size that could also meet the wraparound services required that were suitable for families and young children. This urgent

unforeseen requirement would not allow enough time for a formal competitive procurement process.

The accommodation has many benefits as a venue; it is a highly valued education and activity centre and the organisation has practical experience of hosting vulnerable groups. The Urdd accommodation offers services not available at other venues, such as activities for children and leisure facilities.

The local Council has committed to providing comprehensive wraparound support services at this location, and a location which could accommodate a large number of people is more efficient than smaller facilities. The provision of wraparound support services is crucial, therefore this commitment from the Council was a significant element of the decision to secure the Urdd accommodation.

It was necessary to secure the Urdd accommodation urgently due to the specific requirements of accommodation needed in Wales to be able to provide emergency accommodation for use as a Welcome Centre for temporary accommodation for people arriving from Ukraine. Additional information: The contract has been awarded under regulation 32(2)(c) insofar as is strictly necessary where, for reasons of extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by the contracting authority, the time limits for the open or restricted procedures or competitive procedures with negotiation cannot be complied with.