Application to join the Flexible Contracting Arrangements (FCA) for the provision of Home Support (Childrens and Adults) Services and Quick Discharge (Adults only) Service

Concepts

• social work
• birmingham
• home support services
• home support
• home support service home support services
• - home support services west birmingham
• quick discharge service
• lot 1 - home support services north birmingham
• quick discharge
• optional qds plus lot 5 - home support services south west birmingham

Location

Provider location is within 2 miles of the Birmingham Council Tax boundary

Description

The Council wishes to establish Flexible Contracting Arrangements for the provision of Home Support Services and Quick Discharge Service (QDS) under the "light touch'' arrangements set out in chapter 3 section 7 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and the Public Procurement (Amendments, Repeals and Revocations) Regulations 2016. This agreement will allow for the Local Authority to work with the Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB), NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, in order to extend these arrangements to ICB funded patients on the basis that the ICB may introduce additional due diligence and competency arrangements which would need to be satisfied before Providers could receive referrals from the ICB. The Flexible Contracting Arrangements (FCA) is based on the principles of a dynamic purchasing system which is an electronic system established by the Council to purchase individual packages of care by inviting tenders from suppliers admitted to the FCA. Suppliers can apply to join at the original tendering opportunity and at specific periods if the opportunity is reopened, at the Council's discretion, as long as the suppliers meet the qualifying criteria. An initial opening and closing of the FCA must take place. Following this the system will reopen if the minimum number of providers is not achieved or the provision is insufficient. The reopening of the FCA will be at the discretion of the Council. The Council reserves the right to re-open the FCA for one or more geographical areas or citywide where it considers that additional provision is required. An overview of the service requirements is set out below together with information on the procurement lots. Home Support Service Home Support services provide personal care to adults and children in their own home and can include help with the following: • Personal care including washing and dressing. • Housekeeping or cleaning. • Cooking and preparing meals. • Assistance with taking medications or health care needs. • Companionship or activity-based support. Quick Discharge Service (QDS) The Quick Discharge Service also provides home support/ personal care in the citizens own home but is commissioned by the Council on behalf of our wider health and care system to provide short term, rapid home care for those medically fit for discharge from hospital. The procurement process and contract is divided into 6 lots: Lot 1 - Home Support Services North Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 2 - Home Support Services West Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 3 - Home Support Services East Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 4 - Home Support Services South Central Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 5 - Home Support Services South West Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 6 - Home Support Services - Quick Discharge Service (Citywide) The Flexible Contracting Arrangements will be for a period of 5 years, with the option to extend for up to two years. The duration of the call off contracts will be based on the individual requirements and will be managed in accordance with the terms of the Flexible Contracting Arrangements.

Lot Division

Renewal Options

With the option to extend for up to two years.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85310000 - Social work services
• 85300000 - Social work and related services

Indicators

• Restrictions apply to the lot award allocation.
• Bids should cover a maximum number of lots.
• Bids may cover one or more lots.
• This is a recurring contract.
• Options are available.
• Renewals are not available.
• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

For Lots 1-5 the 'Optional QDS Plus' allows providers to express an interest in delivering a Quick Discharge Service when demand exceeds capacity for the Lot 6 Home Support Services - Quick Discharge Service (Citywide). The expression of interest will not determine whether a provider is successful in being awarded to the FCA, however only providers awarded to the FCA will be able to apply for the Optional QDS Plus. For Lots 1-5 all organisations who meet the selection criteria as stated in the SSQ will be admitted to the FCA. There is no limit on the number of Organisations that may join the FCA. For Lots 1-5 organisations can select up to 2 areas (lots) to deliver care in. If the minimum number of providers is not achieved on Lots 1-5 during the initial procurement process; the FCA will be reopened as soon is practicably possible to address the shortfall. This may involve expanding the geographical area in which providers will be considered as eligible to apply. The FCA may reopen to new potential suppliers at the Council's discretion. Suppliers who were rejected at a previous tendering opportunity of the FCA will have the opportunity to re-apply to enter the FCA should it reopen; this will be subject to the relevant entry criteria. For Lot 6, in addition to the SSQ applicants will need to respond to a set of additional questions that will determine the capacity and capability to deliver the service to a sufficient standard. There are a number of pass / fail and scored questions. A method statement is required for the scored questions; a template is provided. Where a scoring will be applied this will be in accordance with the Council's scoring criteria. There is a maximum limit of 1 provider for this Lot. The FCA is being issued using the Council's e-tendering system, CareMatch Portal https://www.carematchportal.com, All tenders must be submitted via the CareMatch Portal. Use of the e-tendering portal is free for Tenderers throughout the whole procurement process. The system is secure and access to tenders will only be made available to those employees of the Council and/or their authorised advisors. Deadline for receipt of Selection Questionnaire is noon on 16th May 2024.