Day Opportunity Services Framework

Portsmouth City Council ('the council') is planning to establish an Open Framework Agreement for the provision of learning disability (LD) day services and opportunities based predominantly in the Portsmouth area but may also extend to surrounding areas. The Council currently spends approximately £6,100,000 per annum on LD day services and opportunities which currently support 305 residents.

This opportunity is open to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and micro providers (for example a provider could apply to support 1 or 2 clients) as well as larger regional and national providers. In establishing this Open Framework Agreement, the council are aiming to create a diverse and varied 'highstreet' of services and opportunities for individuals to access.

The Open Framework Agreement will be operational for a period of 8 years. Providers will be able to apply to join, or add new services to, the Open Framework Agreement any time during the 8-year framework period. Although the Open Framework Agreement will remain open to applications, these will only be viewed and assessed twice per year for entry in April and October each year.

There will be no limit to the number of providers who can join the Open Framework Agreement throughout its duration. However, the Council reserves the right to close the Open Framework Agreement to new entrants at any time, giving 3 months' notice via a Modification Notice to the original Find a Tender Service Contract Notice and updating the framework advert on both Contracts Finder and the council's e-sourcing system. Closure may be on a temporary or permanent basis and will be clearly stated in the updated notices and adverts.

The Open Framework Agreement will be used for placements of individuals, which in some cases will together form a block contract, commissioned via the Further Competition or Direct Award call-off processes. Placements of individuals will be on a meet or beat Open Framework Agreement rate basis. Any Block 'call-off' contracts will be competed for on a quality and cost basis separate to the Framework rates.

From the framework start date it is important to note that there will be no automatic transition of already existing arrangements to the new Open Framework Agreement. These will transition aiming for completion within a 12-month period. However, any NEW packages of day service provision set up for individuals must utilise the new Framework. This may be done on a block contract or individual basis.

The council is targeting to have awarded the Open Framework Agreement by Friday 4th October 2024 to allow for Open Framework Agreement commencement on 1st November 2024. The total Open Framework Agreement value is currently estimated to be £6.1m per annum, £48.8m over the 8-year term. This is based on current contracted activity so actual spend may fall below or above these estimated figures.

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

• Issue FTS Contract Notice - 15 July 2024
• Issue Invitation to Tender (ITT) - 15 July 2024
• Bidders Briefing Events - 24 July and 30 July 2024
• Tender Return Deadline - 27 August 2024 midday
• Award decision notified to tenderers - 23 September 2024
• Standstill period - 24 September - 3 October 2024
• Framework Award - 4 October 2024
• Framework Commencement - 1 November 2024

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

The framework will remain open past the initial deadline for new applications. These will be reviewed in April and October each year following commencement of the framework.