Published date: 28 July 2021

Last edited date: 24 January 2024

Open opportunity - This means that the contract is currently active, and the buying department is looking for potential suppliers to fulfil the contract.


Closing: 25 April 2024, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Welfare services for children and young people - 85311300

Location of contract

South East, South West, Wales

Value of contract

£400,000,000 to £750,000,000

Procurement reference

EC09/01/3096 (Proactis Reference REQ/1000184)

Published date

28 July 2021

Closing date

25 April 2024

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

26 April 2024

Contract end date

31 March 2028

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

This procurement invites tenders from both new applicants to The Councils' Framework for the Provision of Independent Fostering Agencies (IFA) Services, or from existing providers on this framework who wish to improve their original price offers or to apply for a place on additional lots.

The notice for the original establishment of the Framework Agreement was published on the 28th July 2021 (reference 2021/S 000-017949) and the amended publication dated 7th September 2021, reference 2021/S 000-022124) which read as follows:

"This procurement is for the establishment of a framework agreement for the provision of independent fostering agency services across sixteen (16) local authorities that comprise the South-Central IFA Framework consortium. This ITT is to establish a Framework Agreement between Southampton City Council (on behalf of the South-Central IFA Framework consortium) and those tenderers successful in their applications to be accepted on to the framework to enable the provision of foster care placements in accordance with the terms of the framework agreement. The consortium have the following needs from independent fostering agency placements:
Foster carers for children of all ages, but particularly for older children aged 10-15 years. Foster carers who can meet higher levels of need, complexity and risk.
Foster carers who can care for sibling groups - particularly large sibling groups.
Foster carers who care for parent and child placements
Foster carers who can care for disabled children- especially with adapted homes. Some will have complex medical needs and some may have a limited life expectancy.
Foster carers who are registered for only one child to meet the need for solo placements.
Foster carers who can care for Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers and with an awareness/willingness to work in partnership to meet their immediate immigration, health and educational needs.
In addition, the Councils are particularly looking for local, well-matched placements, including education provision, and with commitment to the best interests of the child.
Enhanced fostering care placements for children and young people with higher levels of need.
The Framework is comprised of the following 4 Lots:
Lot 1 (Standard Placements 0+ Years)
Lot 2 (Children with Disabilities)
Lot 3 (Parent and Child Placements)
Lot 4 (Enhanced Fostering Placements)
Providers may bid for one or more of these Lots in any combination.
This is a requirement amongst some of the consortium members for foster placements that may be located with Wales. As such providers of fostering services based in Wales in addition to those in England are welcome to tender.

More information

Links

Additional text

The procurement is to continue establishing a framework agreement with an initial term of four years with 21 months remaining.

There is the option to extend the framework agreement by up to two additional twelve month periods, i.e. from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2027 and from 1st April 2027- 31st March 2028.

How to apply

Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.

About the buyer

Address

Civic Centre,Civic Centre Road
SOUTHAMPTON
SO147LY
England

Telephone

023 8083 3000

Email

tendermanagement@southampton.gov.uk

Website

www.southampton.gov.uk