Clarity Travel Services information
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.041876
I note you seek access to the following information:
Please can you advise me of the following please:
- What does the MPS pay under contract to Clarity Travel Services.
- Is it written in the contract regarding best value for money.
- How long is the contract and if hotels are found cheaper by employees of the MPS is there any sanction against Clarity for not offering value for money.
- Is there and additional charge made to hotels by Clarity for bookings through their app or website.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Q1 - What does the MPS pay under contract to Clarity Travel Services.
£48,744.80 for 2023-2024
Q2 - Is it written in the contract regarding best value for money.
Value For Money Elements are set out below (and not exclusive to)
Call Off Schedule 16
Upper Quartile 8 in respect of Benchmarked Rates, that based on an analysis of Equivalent Data, the Benchmarked Rates, as compared to the range of prices for Comparable Deliverables, are within the top 25% in terms of best value for money for the recipients of Comparable Deliverables.
2. When you should use this Schedule
2.1 The Supplier acknowledges that the Buyer wishes to ensure that the Deliverables, represent value for money to the taxpayer throughout the Contract Period.
2.2 This Schedule sets to ensure the Contracts represent value for money throughout and that the Buyer may terminate the Contract by issuing a Termination Notice to the Supplier if the Supplier refuses or fails to comply with its obligations as set out in Paragraphs 3 of this Schedule.
3.2 Benchmarking Process
3.2.1 The benchmarker shall produce and send to the Buyer, for Approval, a draft plan for the Benchmark Review which must include:
(a) a proposed cost and timetable for the Benchmark Review;
(b) a description of the benchmarking methodology to be used which must demonstrate that the methodology to be used is capable of fulfilling the benchmarking purpose; and
(c) a description of how the benchmarker will scope and identify the Comparison Group.
3.2.2 The benchmarker, acting reasonably, shall be entitled to use any model to determine the achievement of value for money and to carry out the benchmarking
Q3 - How long is the contract and if hotels are found cheaper by employees of the MPS is there any sanction against Clarity for not offering value for money.
The contract commenced on 1 December 2021 and is due to expire on 30 November 2025. It runs for four years.
There are no specific contract sanctions around value for money in this contract. However, Clarity do offer a price match service to corporate customers. Terms and conditions apply to this price match mechanism.
Q4 - Is there and additional charge made to hotels by Clarity for bookings through their app or website.
Under Crown Commercial Service Public Sector Global Travel and Venue Solutions we are charged £0 for online bookings, and a small per booking fee for offline bookings.