Provision of Information, Advice and Guidance Services across the Dorset Council Local Authority Area

The purpose of this contract is to have a joined up single service contract for information, advice and guidance whereby key stakeholders work together to design and deliver a multi-channel approach to information, advice and guidance.

Definition and scope: • Information - The open and accessible supply of informative material deemed to be of interest and relevance to a particular population • Advice - Presenting facts and ideas in an accessible form for residents to understand and consider and recommending a course of action • Guidance - Defining and providing options through positive actions which could help the resident

The provision shall be based around the following key considerations to effectively meet the needs of the Council's residents:

• customer experience • connecting services • improved digital channels • a targeted face to face and telephone offer The services must be flexible to meet Dorset Council residents' needs and arising trends.

The Council is conducting an open tender procedure. The opportunity is tendered as a single lot to be awarded to a single provider.

The Contract will be awarded for a period of up to five years (initial period of 3 years plus an optional extension period of a further 2 years). Consortium bids are welcome via a lead provider.

Tenderers should note that the Council is running a concurrent open tender procedure for provision of Infrastructure Support to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) (project ref. DN538356).