Arden and GEM CSU Framework Agreement for the Provision of Continuing Healthcare Services Support

Arden and GEM CSU is seeking to set up a single framework contract for the provision of additional capacity to support its customers in undertaking Continuing Healthcare Services. Support Required may include but is not limited to: 1. Provision of a clinical assessment resulting in a Needs Portrayal Document (“NPD”). This will involve assessment of patients across the Arden and GEM footprint both now and in the future. 2. Decision Support Tool (“DST”) recommendation and supporting rationale 3. Assessment of care packages in relation to their value for money for commissioners 4. Preparation and review of cases in respect of complaints, appeals and IRPs. The contract is for a period of 2 years with the option to extend for an additional 1 year plus 1 year (a maximum of 4 years in total). Call off Contracts under the Framework will be based on either a Direct call off or further competition basis.

Additional information: The Contracting Authority intends to use an eTendering system in this procurement exercise. The services to which this notice relates fall within Part B of Schedule 3, Part 10 of the Public Services Contracts Regulations 2006 (as amended) ('the Regulations'). Neither the publication of this notice nor the employment of any particular terminology nor any other indication shall be taken to mean that the contracting authorities intend to hold themselves bound by any of the Regulations save those applicable to the procurement of Part B services. Suppliers Instructions How to Express Interest in this Tender: 1. Register your company on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once) — Browse to the eSourcing Portal: https://ardengemcsu.bravosolution.co.uk and click the link to register— Accept the terms and conditions and click ‘continue' — Enter your correct business and user details —Note the user-name you chose and click ‘Save' when complete — You will shortly receive an e-mail with your unique password (please keep this secure) 2. Express an Interest in the tender — Login to the portal with the user-name/password — Click the ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link. (These are Invitations to Tender open to any registered supplier) — Click on the relevant ITT to access the content. — Click the ‘Express Interest' button at the top of the page. — This will move the ITT into your My ITTs' page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only) — You can now access any attachments by clicking ‘Buyer Attachments' in the ITT Details' box 3. Responding to the tender — Click ‘My Response' under ITT Details', you can choose to ‘Create Response' or to ‘Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining) — You can now use the ‘Messages' function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification — Note the deadline for completion, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the ITT — There may be a mixture of on-line and off-line actions for you to perform (there is detailed on-line help available) You must then submit your reply using the ‘Submit Response' button at the top of the page. If you require any further assistance please consult the on-line help, or contact the eTendering helpdesk. Arden and GEM CSU expressly reserves the right not to award any Framework Agreement as a result of the procurement process commenced by the publication of this notice and to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition; and in no circumstances will the Contracting Authority be liable for any costs incurred by the candidates. Please note that the contract value is an estimation only and whilst the overall framework value may exceed the value stated there is no guarantee of any work at all through this framework.