556/2016 - 16+ Semi Independent Accommodation and Support Services

London Borough of Croydon invites suitable expression of interest from suppliers for inclusion on the Semi Independent Accommodation and Support Services (SIA) Framework for the provision of high quality semi independent placements for Young People in care aged 16 and 17 years who are able to live independently with various levels of support.

Tenderers should be able to demonstrate a responsive and proactive approach to working with vulnerable young people, including those with the most complex needs.

The Semi Independent Accommodation and Support Services Framework Agreement will be split into two Lots; Lot 2 (Complex Placements) is further divided into 2 Sub-Lots, as follows:
Lot 1 - Standard placements
Lot 2 - Complex placements
• Sub-Lot 1: The Council guarantees a minimum volume of 12 Complex Placements will be made under this Sub-Lot in each year of the Framework Agreement.
• Sub-Lot 2: Placements with no guaranteed volume of placement.

Tenderers can apply for Lots 1 (Standard placements) alone for Lot 1 (Standard Placements) and Lot 2 (Complex Placements). If applying for Lot 2 (Complex Placements), Tenderers must also either apply for Lot 1 themselves or confirm that they will be willing to establish a "partnership" with a Provider appointed to Lot 1, if successfully appointed to the Framework Agreement. This will ensure that clear pathways are developed across the market for moving on Young People who require intensive support at an initial stage of their placements.

Tenderers that meet the selection requirements set out in the ITT will be assessed for appointment to the Framework Agreement and the Lots/ Sub-Lots described above on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender, as more particularly described in the Invitation to Tender (ITT).

The tender will result in the development of 3 lists of successful Tenderers for appointment to each of Lot 1 (Standard Placements) and each of the Sub-Lots within Lot 2 (Complex Placements) with top 15 highest scoring Tenderers in order of their MEAT scores appointed to Lot 1, and 5 to each Lot 2 Sub-Lot. The remaining successful Tenderers will be appointed to the Reserve List funder each Lot/Sub-Lot.

The OJEU Notice in relation to this tender is submitted on 22nd June 2016.

Please note that this is only an introduction to the contract requirements and providers should consider all of the contract and tender documentation in detail prior to submitting a tender.

The term of the Framework Agreement will be for 2 years, with an option to extend for a period of up to but not exceeding two (2) years. The Framework Agreement has an anticipated commencement date of November 2016 and an estimated value of £8.4m for the total lifetime value of the Framework.

This Framework will be procured under the principles as defined in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 which will involve the procurement being published in OJEU and Contracts Finder.

The Services which are the subject of this procurement exercise are considered to fall within the ambit of Schedule 3 (Social and Other Specific Services) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (the Regulations) and are being procured in accordance with the requirements of Regulations 74, 75 and 76 of the Regulations.

The procurement process designed by the Council for the procurement of the Services is intended to ensure compliance with the principles of transparency and equal treatment. Whilst the procurement process designed by the Council corresponds in certain respects to the procedure described in Regulation 27 (Open procedure) of the Regulations, the Council is not bound by the provisions of Regulation 27 or by the provisions of other parts of the Regulations which do not apply to services listed in Schedule 3.

In accordance with Regulation 76, the Council reserves the right to amend, vary or digress from the process set out in these Instructions for Tendering. In the event of any change to the process set out in these Instructions for Tendering, the Council will inform all tenderers of the change.

The Council offers no guarantee, warranty or assurance as to the frequency, volume of placements or value of the Services to be ordered under the Framework Agreement, or as to the annual value of the contracts awarded under the Framework Agreement and subject to Section 5.1 of the Instructions to Tender.

Tender Evaluation Criteria

Section Criteria Weighting
1 Suppliers information, grounds for mandatory exclusion, grounds for discretionary exclusion, economic and financial standing, professional capacity and professional ability and relevant contract examples Pass/Fail
2 Method Statements 40%
3 Price Evaluation 60%

How to register your interest

If you wish to register an interest in this contract, please follow the steps below:

• Register your company on the London Tenders Portal free of charge via the link below: https://www.londontenders.org/procontract/supplier.nsf/frm_home?openForm.
• Await acceptance. You will receive an email confirming your username and password
• Use your username and password to log into the London Tenders Portal and register your interest in the relevant contract: (556/2016 CFL) – (Semi Independent Accommodation (SIA) and Support Services Framework)
• Shortly after you have registered your interest, you will receive a second email containing a link to access the tender documentation.

Deadlines
• The deadline for returning your tender response documentation is: 12:00:00 noon on 25 July 2016.
• Late applications will not be accepted.

Additional information

* We reserve the right to make this contract available to partners and other public sector and/or voluntary organisations.

* Please DO NOT include any publicity material with your submissions.

* Croydon Council aims to provide equality of opportunity and welcomes applicants from black and minority ethnic communities and disabled groups. In addition the Council actively seeks to use small to medium enterprises (SME) as part of its sustainability policy.

*Interested organisations should seek their own independent advice with regards to applications to TUPE in the contract and the Council offers no assurance in respect of the operation effect or impact of TUPE under the Framework Agreement.

*The Council undertakes to use reasonable endeavours to hold confidential any information provided in the proposal submitted, subject to the Council's obligations under law, including the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If the applicant considers that any of the information submitted in the application should not be disclosed because of its sensitivity then this should be stated with the reasons for considering it sensitive. The Council will then consider the sensitivity statement before replying to any request received under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

* Please include the contract number of this process when communicating with the Council.

* Please direct any communication about this procurement via the www.londontenders.org portal.

* The Council reserves the right to hold clarification interviews/site visits with leading bidders, in accordance with the terms specified in the Invitation to Tender.