Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector Commissioning 2023 - Phase 1

The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector (VCSE) plays a vital role in Kingston supporting some of the borough's most vulnerable residents. The sector has played a crucial role in the Kingston Covid response and continued funding of local Voluntary Community Sector organisations is an important part of ensuring the Council has an effective approach to early help and prevention.

The sourcing of the new services will be carried out in three phases. This procurement is in relation to Phase 1 only.

There are three proposed commissioning themes. Each commissioning theme has lots which indicate the type of service provision required. This assists us in focussing our intentions into areas of need.

The Council will seek to award contracts in the form of separate theme lots.

Potential providers may bid for one or more theme lots within the overarching commissioning themes. Providers must be capable of providing all elements within a theme lot. Theme lots will not be further divided.

The Authority is using an Open Procedure for this procurement of services categorised as 'social and other specific services' under Schedule 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ('PCR 2015'). This procurement exercise will therefore be subject to the Light Touch Regime ('LTR') under Regulations 74 to 77 as set out in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Contract Term: Initial Term of 3 years with option to extend by two further periods of up to 12 months each. (3+1+1 = 5 years).