Soft Market Testing - Rough Sleeper Navigators

Soft Market Testing (SMT)

SMT in this case is where the City, at an early stage in the development of its proposals but prior to formulating any formal procurement opportunity, seeks input from the market as to what might be the most attractive way of packaging and scoping a future procurement opportunity.

This exercise will provide an opportunity for the City to obtain insight into how participants might approach the delivery of the service in question. It also gives a useful early insight into the likely level of interest in a proposed project from that market.

Participants must also note that a response to this notice does not guarantee an invitation to participate in this or any future procurement that the City may conduct, nor that the City will procure any such supply and services or accept any proposals offered. Any Procurement of the supply and services by the City will be carried out strictly in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The City has developed a questionnaire (attached at the end of this document) that they would like interested parties to complete.

As stated above, the outcome of the SMT exercise will inform an options appraisal with recommendations.

Background of the Project

The City of London is currently facing high numbers of street homelessness within the Square Mile.

A rough sleepers Navigator service is additional to the City's Street Outreach Service and targeted at working with the most prolific and entrenched rough sleepers who are either identified as Target 1000 clients or classed as "Living On the Streets".

Rough Sleeper Navigators is currently a shared service, commissioned by Tower Hamlets, however the intention of the City of London Corporation Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Service is to commission a City specific service for the next 18 months plus whilst a third party review of all rough sleeper interventions is underway.