Residential and Nursing Care Home Services (Issue 1)

Framework Agreement

Is Open Framework Scheme

Yes

Method

withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition

Type

closed

Description

Light Touch Framework Opening, Closing and Re-Opening This procurement is for a Framework Agreement between the appointed Supplier(s) and the Authority, to deliver Services as and when required. The Authority makes no guarantee as to the volume of business on offer and any figures / quantities / volumes given are indicative and are guidance only. The Authority may at its discretion source similar or equivalent care and support services other than via the Framework Agreement. The Authority has pre-existing and may procure new alternative methods to source and contract for care and support services. The Parties acknowledge that the Authority is not obligated or otherwise restricted to use the Framework to source care and support services for individuals. The Authority will publish a UK4 Tender Notice through the FTS when the Framework is to be opened or re-opened. The Tender Notice will have a hyperlink through to the Authorities electronic procurement system, which will contain all instructions and documents for applying to join/re-join the Framework. The initial Framework will remain open for a period of 30 days, at which point it will be closed to new entrants. Any supplier not providing an application by this closing date will not be included in the initial Framework evaluation and will have to wait until the Framework is re-opened to provide an application for consideration. For avoidance of doubt a supplier cannot apply to join the Framework when it is closed only when it is open for new applications. Any notice published through FTS will always have a closing date on it. Please ensure you have read Schedule 5 Operation of Framework and Mini-competition process. Joining the Framework Suppliers (including unsuccessful Suppliers) will need to complete the Invitation to Tender (ITT) Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) document and upload this, along with any other requested information to the electronic procurement system by the closing date and time. Where a suppliers submission has been evaluated successfully the supplier will receive an assessment summary letter via the electronic procurement system to say they have been awarded onto the Framework. Where a Supplier's submission requires clarification(s) the Authority will engage in a dialogue with the Supplier to try and resolve. Where these are resolved then the submission will be deemed acceptable and the Supplier will be awarded onto the Framework. Where these cannot be resolved, then the submission will be deemed as unsuccessful, and the Supplier will be issued with an assessment summary letter via the electronic procurement system to notify the Supplier of the reason(s) why their submission has been unsuccessful. Any unsuccessful Suppliers are able to re-apply to join the Framework once it has been re-opened and having rectified any identified areas of omission. The Authority will publish a UK6 Contract Award Notice on FTS every time the Framework is concluded. This Notice will contain a hyperlink to Contract award notices | Staffordshire County Council and will contain details of all suppliers who have been awarded onto the Framework Agreement. Within 120 days of the Contract being entered into the Authority will publish a UK7 Contract Details Notice on FTS. This Notice will contain a hyperlink to Contract award notices | Staffordshire County Council, and will contain details of all suppliers who have been awarded onto the Framework Agreement. Please ensure you have read Schedule 5 Operation of Framework and Mini-competition process. Post Framework Contract Award Once the Framework Agreement has been signed by all parties, the supplier will remain on the Framework until (i) the framework expires (ii) they undertake any action which would cause them to be removed from the framework (iii) they voluntarily ask to be removed from the framework. The Authority will then issue a UK11 Contract Termination Notice via FTS. Please ensure you have read Schedule 5 Operation of Framework and Mini-competition process. Operation of the Framework and Mini Competition By entering into the Framework Agreement no form of exclusivity or volume guarantee will be granted by the Authority for any Services to be awarded to or delivered by a supplier. The Authority will continue to contract and place Individuals as appropriate through its Block Booked Bed Arrangements and/or through Services delivered through our Local Authority Trading Company: Nexxus Trading Services Ltd who operate the Meadowrythe and Bracken House Care Homes. If the Authority needs to source a placement, then the Authority will issue an Invitation to Tender (ITT) using either the Standard Award Procedure (Option A), the Emergency Award Procedure (Option B) or the Award without Competition Procedure (Option C) as follows; • Standard Award Procedure (Option A) is used where care needs to be sourced within seven days. • Emergency Award Procedure (Option B) is used where a Resident requires an urgent placement to a Care Home and/or to be placed in a more time critical way than the afforded by following the Standard Award Procedure (Option A). • Award without Competition (Option C) is used where a Resident requires an urgent placement to the Care Home and/or to be placed in a more time critical way than afforded by following either the Standard Award Procedure (Option A) or the Emergency Award Procedure (Option B); or a Resident (or their family or chosen representative) wishes to exercise choice over their preferred Care Home and their chosen Care Home is held under the Framework Agreement. Only one supplier will be awarded per Mini Competition. If the supplier is unable to meet the Individual's needs, then the Authority will follow the guidance within Schedule 5 Operation of the Framework and Mini-Competition Process. Please ensure you have read Schedule 5 Operation of Framework and Mini-competition process.

Open Framework Scheme End Date

31 Aug 2034, 23:59