People's Voice Service including Healthwatch Kent

<p><strong>The Opportunity</strong></p>
<p>Kent County Council are looking to commission a People&rsquo;s Voice Service including Healthwatch Kent. The aim of this service is to promote and empower Kent citizens to have a voice in influencing, developing and shaping health and care services across Kent and to provide information and advice as appropriate (in collaboration with other services) and through a variety of methods.</p>
<p>The Contract will commence on 1st October 2022 and will run for a period of 3 years (expiring 30th September 2025), with the option for two extensions of up to one year each at the discretion of the Council, unless terminated in accordance with the published Conditions of Contract.</p>
<p>The Council is running this procurement under the Light Touch Regime (LTR), a specific set of rules for health and social care contracts set out in the Public Contract Regulations (2015), adapting the Open procedure as proportionate to the requirement.</p>
<p>Further information can be found within the Invitation to Tender Documents.</p>
<p>Tender documents must be submitted via the Kent Business Portal by 12 noon on the 20^th April 2022.</p>
<p><strong>Key Dates</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Event</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Anticipated Date</strong></p>
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<p>Procurement go-live</p>
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<p>25th March 2022</p>
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<p>Procurement close</p>
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<p>25^th April 2022</p>
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<p>Tender evaluation</p>
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<p>26th April 2022 &ndash; 6th May 2022</p>
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<p>Contract award governance</p>
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<p>18^th May 2022</p>
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<p>Issue contract award letters</p>
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<p>25^th May 2022</p>
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<p>Service commencement</p>
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<p>1^st October 2022</p>
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<p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><strong>Questions and Communication </strong></p>
<p>Please direct all questions and communication through the Kent Business Portal via the Messages facility.</p>