HCC02/24- Provision of Countywide Housing Advocacy for Victims of Domestic Abuse

Concepts

• housing administration
• hertford
• housing advocacy
• housing advocacy model
• housing teams
• housing stability
• housing advocates
• domestic abuse
• domestic abuse training
• a countywide housing advocacy service

Location

Hertfordshire

Description

Hertfordshire County Council (the ‘Council’) wishes to establish a contract for the provision of a countywide housing advocacy service for victims of domestic abuse and further information in regard to this opportunity can be found in II.2.4) Description of the procurement field Organisations wishing to take part in this project are invited to "express interest" which will give access to the full procurement documents in the e-tendering system.

Total Quantity or Scope

Hertfordshire County Council (the ‘Council’) acting as lead commissioner on behalf of District funding partners wishes to procure a countywide housing advocacy service to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse who have a housing need, to access safe and suitable accommodation. The service will also provide domestic abuse training to housing teams. The service will be based on the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (D A H A) housing advocacy model and forms part of a Whole Housing Approach. The aim of the service will be to increase housing stability and safety for all victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Housing advocates will be co-located with district and borough housing teams and will be that conduit between victims/survivors who have a housing need and the districts, through providing housing advocacy. The advocates will also be embedded in the local multi-disciplinary teams supporting homeless adults experiencing multiple disadvantages.The current service arrangements, which is running as a pilot, expires on 30 June 2024. The anticipated total annual joint expenditure for this Service is approximately.GBP 200,000.00. Therefore the estimated total value of the Contract could be up to GBP600,000.00The Contract Period for this Contract is an initial period of two years with the option to extend by a further one year. Therefore, the maximum duration of this Contract could be three years. unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Contract.Please note that the requirements of the Contract will be subject to available financial resources, supplier performance and flexibility to meet changing demands. The Council will be entitled to enter into other Contracts and arrangements with other Providers for the provision of any, or all, of the requirements which are the same as, or similar to those specified under the established Contract.Organisations should be aware that due to the nature of the Services provided, any contract formed as a result of this procurement process shall be executed as a deed. Organisations should seek independent legal advice on the implications of this prior to submitting their bid, where appropriate.

Renewal Options

The Contract will be awarded for an initial period of Two (2) yearswith the option to extend for a further One (1) year-Therefore, the maximum duration of this Contract could be Three (3) years.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 75123000 - Administrative housing services
• 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
• 85321000 - Administrative social services
• 85300000 - Social work and related services

Indicators

• Bids should cover the whole contract.
• Options are available.
• Renewals are not available.
• Professional qualifications are sought.
• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

Please see VI.3) Additional information for further information. Any questions relating to this procurement must be made via the correspondence area in the e-Tendering system, in accordance with the procurement documents and can be addressed to the main contact as shown in the details above. Please note Hertfordshire County Council has worked closely with its districts and partners to create a joint procurement portal called supply Hertfordshire. This portal provides an e-Tendering system which is run by In-Tend.To access this procurement opportunity please visit www.supplyhertfordshire.uk and follow the on-screen guidance. In accordance with Regulation 53 of The Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Council's procurement documents are available within the e-Tendering system.This is a one stage procurement process. Therefore, if you wish to be considered as a tenderer you must complete and submit a tender by the specified closing date and time. Tender submissions cannot be uploaded after this return deadline.If you are experiencing problems In-Tend offer a help section which includes a dedicated UK support desk which can be contacted via email: support@in-tend.co.uk or Telephone: +44 1144070065 for any website/technical questions, Monday to Friday, 8:30-17:00.The Council reserves the right at any time to cease the procurement process and not award a Contract or to award only part of the opportunity described in this notice. If the Council takes up this right, then they will not be responsible for or pay the expenses or losses, which may be incurred by any organisation or tenderer as a result.The Council undertakes to hold confidential any information provided in the proposal submitted, subject to the Council's obligations under the law including the Freedom of Information Act 2000. If the organisation considers that any of the information submitted in the proposal should not be disclosed because of its sensitivity then this should be stated with the reason for considering it sensitive. The Council will then endeavour to consult with the applicant about such sensitive information when considering any request received under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 before replying to such a request.The Council reserves the right to carry out additional financial checks on all organisations bidding for this opportunity at any time during the procurement process. This is to ensure that they continue to meet the Council's requirements and remain financially viable to fulfil the requirements under the Contract.