Application to join the Flexible Contracting Arrangements (FCA) for the provision of Home Support (Children's and Adults) Services and Quick Discharge (Adults only) Service

The Council wishes to establish Flexible Contracting Arrangements for the provision of Home Support Services and Quick Discharge Service (QDS) under the "light touch'' arrangements set out in chapter 3 section 7 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and the Public Procurement (Amendments, Repeals and Revocations) Regulations 2016.

This agreement will allow for the Local Authority to work with the Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB), NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB.

The Flexible Contracting Arrangements (FCA) is based on the principles of a dynamic purchasing system which is an electronic system established by the Council to purchase individual packages of care by inviting tenders from suppliers admitted to the FCA. Suppliers can apply to join at the original tendering opportunity and at specific periods if the opportunity is reopened, at the Council's discretion, as long as the suppliers meet the qualifying criteria. An initial opening and closing of the FCA must take place. Following this the system will reopen if the minimum number of providers is not achieved or the provision is insufficient.

An overview of the service requirements is set out below:

Home Support services provide personal care to adults and children in their own home and can include help with the following:

• Personal care including washing and dressing.
• Housekeeping or cleaning.
• Cooking and preparing meals.
• Assistance with taking medications or health care needs.
• Companionship or activity-based support.

The Quick Discharge Service (QDS) also provides home support/ personal care in the citizens own home but is commissioned by the Council on behalf of our wider health and care system to provide short term, rapid home care for those medically fit for discharge from hospital.

The procurement process and contract is divided into 6 lots:

Lot 1 - Home Support Services North Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 2 - Home Support Services West Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 3 - Home Support Services East Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 4 - Home Support Services South Central Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 5 - Home Support Services South West Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus Lot 6 - Home Support Services - Quick Discharge Service (Citywide)

The Flexible Contracting Arrangements will be for a period of 5 years with the option to extend for up to 2 years.

To apply to join this contract, please use the link below: https://www.carematchportal.com

The SSQ for the FCA is being issued using the Council's e-tendering system on CareMatch Portal and the remainder of the procurement process will be managed using CareMatch portal. All tenders must be submitted via the CareMatch Portal.

Use of the e-tendering portal is free for Tenderers throughout the whole procurement process. If you have any issues / queries on how to use this web site please email: marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk

Deadline is noon on 16th May 2024.