Fleet Accreditation Scheme

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.034361

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Do you specify any Fleet Accreditation Scheme (e.g., FORS, DVSA Earned Recognition, Van Excellence, CLOCS, Mission Zero) as a mandatory requirement on any existing contracts, or contracts that have received a recent award notification but have not yet commenced?

2. If the answer to question 1. is ‘yes’, please tell us which Fleet Accreditation Scheme(s) you specify and at what level(s) (e.g., FORS Silver)?

3. If the answer to question 1. is ‘no’, please tell us whether you are considering specifying Fleet Accreditation Scheme(s) as part of your contract requirements in the future and if so, when?

4. If you are specifying a Fleet Accreditation Scheme(s), do your contracts allow for Alternative Schemes to be accepted (e.g., Transport for London state “FORS or a scheme, which in the reasonable opinion of the Authority, is an acceptable substitute to FORS (the “Alternative Scheme”))?

5. If the answer to question 4. is ‘yes’ what is the process for accepting an Alternative Scheme(s), or do you take the position that if Transport for London recognises an “Alternative Scheme”, that this approach will also be accepted by your organisation?

6. Please provide us with details of each contract where a Fleet Accreditation Scheme(s) has been specified including Contract No. / Contract Name / Award Date / Term of Contract (including any extension periods) / Principal Contractor(s)Name / Fleet Accreditation Scheme & accreditation level specified (e.g., FORS Silver)?

7. Please tell us if your organisation (or your staff) undertake any other role for any Fleet Accreditation Scheme including but not limited to:
I. your organisation is accredited to that scheme?
II. your organisation is an official ‘Champion’ or ‘Supporter’ to that scheme?
III. your organisation, or one of your staff, is a member of that scheme’s governance board (or any other committee / body associated with that scheme)?

8. Please tell us the name of your organisations department(s) that are responsible for determining whether Fleet Accreditation Scheme(s) are specified, and / or which schemes are specified within your contracts?

Clarification -
‘Many thanks for your email and attached letter. Further to our telephone conversation, we would be happy to withdraw question 6 and proceed with obtaining a response to the remaining questions’.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please see the below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Do you specify any Fleet Accreditation Scheme (e.g., FORS, DVSA Earned Recognition, Van Excellence, CLOCS, Mission Zero) as a mandatory requirement on any existing contracts, or contracts that have received a recent award notification but have not yet commenced?

Yes

Q2 - If the answer to question 1 is ‘yes’, please tell us which Fleet Accreditation Scheme(s) you specify and at what level(s) (e.g., FORS Silver)?

We encourage suppliers to register for FORS and that they work towards Silver Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) standard is specified
Direct Vision Standards (DVS) is specified and to achieve a minimum of one star Direct Vision Standard rating

Q3 - If the answer to question 1 is ‘no’, please tell us whether you are considering specifying Fleet Accreditation Scheme(s) as part of your contract requirements in the future and if so, when?

N/A

Q4 - If you are specifying a Fleet Accreditation Scheme(s), do your contracts allow for Alternative Schemes to be accepted (e.g., Transport for London state “FORS or a scheme, which in the reasonable opinion of the Authority, is an acceptable substitute to FORS (the “Alternative Scheme”))?

Yes aligned with the Transport for London statement within this question

Q5 - If the answer to question 4. is ‘yes’ what is the process for accepting an Alternative Scheme(s), or do you take the position that if Transport for London recognises an “Alternative Scheme”, that this approach will also be accepted by your organisation?

Yes

Q7 - Please tell us if your organisation (or your staff) undertake any other role for any Fleet Accreditation Scheme including but not limited to:
I. your organisation is accredited to that scheme?
II. your organisation is an official ‘Champion’ or ‘Supporter’ to that scheme?
III. your organisation, or one of your staff, is a member of that scheme’s governance board (or any other committee / body associated with that scheme)?

We do not undertake any other role for any Fleet Accreditation schemes.

Q8 - Please tell us the name of your organisations department(s) that are responsible for determining whether Fleet Accreditation Scheme(s) are specified, and / or which schemes are specified within your contracts?

Commercial Services have templates to advice procurers which questions in this area may apply to their tenders