@Leslie_Hall I see this topic has raised it’s head previously on Reachback, here’s the link to the relevant thread:
I agree with the PM’s decision for several reasons.
Firstly, agency fees are a function of employing people and as such they would be captured under component 1 and not component 4 if they could be included in Defined Cost however they are not listed and as such would be covered in the Fee.
I suspect you may question this opinion so putting it to one side that leaves us to debate if they can be included under item 43(h) as specialist services? I cannot see how recruitment can be classed as a specialist service as (1) using agencies for recruitment is routine in construction and (2) whilst a recruitment agency might argue differently, you don’t need to be highly skilled or trained to do it either!