Open framework for supported living for people with learning disabilities

The Portsmouth City Council ('the council') council is planning to establish an open framework for the provision of supported living and community support services (floating support) based in the Portsmouth area. It is intended to be used for the provision of most supported living services for people with a learning disability funded by Portsmouth City Council. The 'open Framework' will allow for flexibility for both the council and providers and the ability to work more dynamically.

The framework will be operational for 8 years. Providers will be given the opportunity to join the framework at least once during the term as the open framework will not be closed to market access for longer than five years. The council will have the ability to re-open annually as a minimum, 5-years as a maximum. The council may choose to re-open one, two or all lots.

The council will be establishing three lots under the new framework.

Should the council receive framework bids from providers which score within 2% of the provider who takes the last place on each lot, the council will admit any closely scoring providers also onto each of the framework lots.

The council is targeting to have awarded the contract on 3 October 2023 to allow for framework commencement on 1 November 2023. Framework call-offs will commence following the establishment of the framework with 3-4 call-offs occurring each year through years 1-4.

Call-offs will be made primarily via a mini-competition process to all providers on the relevant framework lot. The framework call-offs will be more weighted to cost. It is envisaged that the typical award criteria will be split between 40% quality and 60% cost. There will also be provisions for direct awards in the following circumstances; property owner choice, to avoid significant disruption to service users, legislative reasons, urgency, and interest from a sole provider only.

The framework is valued IRO £15,000,000 per annum, £120,000,000 over the maximum 8-year term. This is based on currented contracted activity and new supported living accommodation expected to be introduced during the framework term. The expected value of the call-off contracts will range from approximately £165,000 - £1,420,000 per annum.

The services covered under the contract are social services and fall under the 'light touch regime'. The Council will execute this procurement process in general accordance with the Open Procedure as set out within the Public Contract Regulations (2015).

The procurement process will be undertaken in line with the following programme:

• Issue FTS Contract Notice - 10 July 2023
• Issue Invitation to Tender - 10 July 2023
• ITT Return Deadline - 11 August 2023 at midday
• Standstill period - 23 September 2023 - 2 October 2023
• Contract Award - 3 October 2023
• Framework Commencement - 1 November 2023

Application is via completed tender submission by the deadline stated above via the Council's e-sourcing system InTend which will be used to administrate the procurement process, the system can be accessed free of charge via the web link below:

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/home