Framework Agreement Re-opening - External Foster Care Services

A Prior Information Notice
by ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

Source
Find a Tender
Type
Future Contract (Services)
Duration
not specified
Value
___
Sector
HEALTH
Published
10 Nov 2023
Delivery
not specified
Deadline
n/a

Concepts

Location

Chelmsford

Geochart for 2 buyers and 0 suppliers

2 buyers

Description

Essex County Council and Southend City Council are re-opening the framework agreement for External Foster Care Services. This Framework Agreement sets out the procedure for Placements, the terms and conditions for the provision of the Services and the obligations of a Provider under this Framework Agreement. Independent Foster Agencies (IFAs), who are not currently on the framework agreement, have the opportunity to enter up to 4 lots on a multi-provider framework agreement to provide Services to those customers who, if required, will make foster care placements in accordance with this Framework Agreement. Existing IFAs, who are currently on the framework agreement, will be required to confirm either that there has been no change to its tender response or to confirm what changes have occurred since its tender response (including any changes to pricing – the Council may, at its sole discretion, place a maximum cap on any annual re-pricing which may be linked to the Consumer Price Index) and any changes will be subject to evaluation in accordance with the published criteria. Existing IFAs also have the opportunity to enter lots they are not currently apart of. It is important to note that despite entering the framework agreement, the Customers shall have no obligation to make placements with any particular IFA under this Framework Agreement and this Framework Agreement is not a commitment or guarantee from the Customers to procure any Services or any specific volume of Services from any particular IFA. Instead, the Customers shall only be committed under the terms of a valid and binding Individual Placement Agreement formed pursuant to this Framework Agreement. Each Individual Placement Agreement shall be an independent contract in its own right and therefore shall survive termination or expiry of this Framework Agreement with the relevant provisions of this Framework Agreement surviving as necessary until the expiry or earlier termination of any such Individual Placement Agreements.

Lot Division

1

Standard Support Placements: Placements for children or young people where they have a low to medium level of need.
2

Enhanced Support Placements: Placements for children or young people where they have a medium to high level of need e.g. history of placement breakdowns, mental health needs, mild to moderate disabilities.
3

Intensive Support Placements: Placements for children or young people where they have significant levels of need, e.g. complex health needs or disabilities, potentially low attendance or excluded from school, significant substance misuse.
4

Parent and Child Placements: Placement for a parent and child(ren), or two parents and a child(ren). These placements are for when there is an assessed need for continuing assessment and on-going support.

Renewal Options

The framework has a term of four (4) years from the commencement date (21st November 2022) to the expiry date (20th November 2026), unless the Council exercises it’s right to terminate this Framework Agreement at any time by giving three months’ written notice to the Providers. The Council will open the framework annually on or around the anniversary of the Commencement Date. Such opening process shall be conducted in such manner with the same content but not necessarily the same time periods as the original Invitation to Tender.

CPV Codes

  • 85300000 - Social work and related services

Indicators

  • Renewals are available.

Reference

Domains