Semi Independent Supported Accommodation for 16 to 17 year olds - Invitation to Tender for a Framework Agreement

The purpose of this tendering exercise is to procure provision of supported accommodation services for all Young People aged 16-17 years old for whom Gloucestershire has a statutory duty, including Young People with a disability and young people who are looked after, or leaving care, or homeless or who are known to the youth offending service and are either at risk of offending, or at the edge of custody, or released from custody.

The Services required under this procurement fall within Schedule 7 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/102) and is therefore not bound by all of its requirements. Consequently, the procurement process adopted by the Commissioners has been developed in accordance with Regulation 76 of the regulations and in particular in accordance with the fundamental public procurement principles of transparency and equal treatment.

The Council will follow its own modified version of the Open process prescribed under regulation 27. The modified process reflects the importance of the statutory requirements of the Council to the Service Users requiring support, the immediate nature of the services required and maintains the principles of fairness, openness and transparency. Prospective tenderers should make themselves aware of all tender requirements detailed in the tender documents, in particular: ? The tender shall be open for an accelerated period of 20 days with a closing date for submissions of 17th March 2016 at 10:00. ? Services must be fully operational and able to accept packages by 1st May 2016

Background: There is a continued need for this type of service for those young people who are not appropriate for placement within families or residential services.

A strategic review of the wider delivery of all children?s services is underway which will involve an integrated model approach to children and families services. This will enable a more flexible approach to reflect the identified needs of the Young People who we support and a new approach to service delivery for these young people.

To enable the development of the future model and allow for a subsequent market testing process for a longer term arrangement, GCC requires an 18 month interim arrangement. This will enable the Council to further develop these future strategic plans and the procurement approach in relation to the semi independent accommodation service and complementary services. This procurement, will ensure a contract award, in line with appropriate and proper governance, and continued service provision for this interim period.

Additional information: Please access the ITT documents on our e-procurement portal at https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/

See ITT documents