CPU7343 - Homelessness Prevention Services - Open Framework

Nottingham City Council is seeking Tenders from sufficiently experienced and qualified providers to establish a multi-Lot, multi-Supplier Open Framework of Homelessness Prevention Services (more commonly referred to as the Commissioned Homelessness Prevention System), consisting of two Lots:

Lot 1 – Accommodation Based Services (ABS), which provide accommodation, housing management and housing-related support.

Lot 2 – Community Based Services (CBS), which provide housing-related advice, outreach, prevention, resettlement or sustainment support outside a provider-owned accommodation setting.

Services commissioned under Lot 1 may include the following, either as distinct services or as elements of a combined accommodation pathway:

a) Emergency and immediate access accommodation
b) Temporary accommodation with support
c) Supported accommodation
d) Specialist accommodation
e) Intermediate and move-on accommodation
f) Housing-led accommodation

Services commissioned under Lot 2 may include the following, either as distinct services or as elements of a coordinated community-based pathway:

a) Universal housing advice and access services
b) Targeted early intervention
c) Homelessness prevention and tenancy sustainment
d) Housing options and resettlement support
e) Outreach and in-reach
f) Rough sleeping prevention and street outreach
g) Specialist housing-related support and pathway coordination

A Supplier can bid for any number of Lots and be successful in any number of Lots.

This Framework may also be used by other Authority departments including but not limited to Children, Adults and Public Health.

The Authority is seeking to put in place an Open Framework to establish the initial Framework and appoint one or more Framework Members in each Lot to deliver services. This Procurement is intended to set up a list of approved Framework Members for each Lot. There is no limit to the number of Suppliers who can be Framework Members in each Lot. Call-off Award Procedures will then be conducted, and Call-off contracts will then be awarded.

This Procurement is a replacement for services previously tendered ‘CPU3880 and CPU7231 – Framework for Community Based Support and Accommodation Based Services for homeless people (and those at risk of homelessness)’. It is important for Suppliers to note that if they are on the above Frameworks and wish to participate in future contract opportunities for this service, they will need to submit a response to this Procurement.

This is a light touch special regime Framework as per Sections 8 and 9 of the Procurement Act 2023. The process to be used will be the Competitive Flexible Procedure as per Section 20 of the Procurement Act 2023.

Suppliers must have experience of delivering one for more support services as listed above for multiple (volume for 10+ people over the contract period) and diverse vulnerable people.

Where a Supplier fails the any stage as described below, their Tender will not be assessed any further:
• Stage One - Initial Review of Tender Submission
• Stage Two – Procurement Specific Questionnaire Pass/Fail
• Stage Three – Quality Questions 1 and 2 Pass/Fail
• Stage Four - Quality Questions 3 to 6 Assessment Scored Pass/Fail
• Stage Five - Any required Final Qualification Check.

Re-Opening
The Open Framework Mechanism allows the Authority to ‘re-open’ the Framework to new Framework Members, while allow existing Framework members to also remain as Framework Members. The Authority reserves the right to re-open the Framework to new potential Framework Members when it deems it is required to ensure:

• Procurement legislation is complied with.
• Capacity requirements can be met.
• To ensure adequate competition in the Call-off Award Procedure.
• To meet needs that are not satisfied by current Framework Members.
• Other reasons deemed reasonable by the Authority.

The Authority will post a Tender Notice on Find Tender Service/CDP when it re-opens the Framework for new Tender submissions.

As this Procurement is for a ‘Light Touch Contract’, the process and award of Call-off contracts may include some flexibilities permitted by the Special Regime of the Procurement Act (2023).

Suppliers will be required to behave lawfully and ethically in sourcing Accommodation and in a manner that does not create additional Homelessness. The Authority reserves the right not to contract or proceed with Orders with any Suppliers where it is discovered this is not the case and the Authority reserves the right to no longer work with the Supplier in the future.

Clarifications
All questions/clarifications must be submitted via the Portal (more details below). Do not expect emails/calls to be responded to.

All Suppliers should access the 'Messages' section of the Portal on a regular basis to check for any clarifications issued on this project and/or any public exchange of information between interested parties, before final submission of their bid. It is the sole responsibility of Suppliers to do so.