Hire of Royal Albert Hall for MFM 2024 & 2025

The Secretary of State for Defence intends to award a 2 year contract to The Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Sciences (“The Royal Albert Hall”) for the hire of the Royal Albert Hall to host the Mountbatten Music Festival in 2024 and 2025. In accordance with the provisions of The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 SI No. 2020/1319), this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 as amended (in particular by SI 2020/1319). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (as required by the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with regulation 32(b)(ii) and 32(b)(i) of the PCR 2015 because competition is absent both for technical reasons and the aim of the procurement is the acquisition of a unique artistic performance. This festival has been held at the Royal Albert Hall for 50 years, and is held there due to the prestige of and history associated with the Royal Albert Hall, both in a historical and military context. The Royal Albert Hall is able to meet the security requirements needed in relation to the profile of some of the potential guests. In addition the event is also arranged in association with a third party, the Royal Marines charity, who require it to be held at the Royal Albert Hall.