Issue - meetings

In accordance with Contract Standing Orders 88 and 89 the purpose of this report is to seek Executive authority to invite tenders for a 2 + 1 year Advocacy contract valued at £395,700. These specialist advocacy services are to support the most vulnerable people in our community.

(i)         that the pre-tender considerations and criteria to be used to evaluate tenders for the Adult Social Care (ASC) advocacy services as set out in paragraph 3.10 of the report from the Acting Director, Adult Social Services, be approved;

(ii)        that officers invite tenders and evaluate them in accordance with the approved evaluation criteria;

(iii)       that it be noted that the short term extensions for 4 existing Advocacy contracts will be agreed with current providers. Their collective value will not exceed £29,054 and each will end when the new contract goes live on the 1st June 2014.

In accordance with Contract Standing Orders 88 and 89 the purpose of the report from the Acting Director of Adult Social Services was to seek Executive authority to invite tenders for a 2 + 1 year Advocacy contract valued at £395,700. Councillor Hirani (Lead Member, Adults and Health) in introducing the report reminded the Executive that these specialist advocacy services supported people the most vulnerable people in the community including young people with visual impairments. The new process would help iron out any gaps in provision and Councillor Hirani drew attention to the provision of crisis advocacy including at a benefit tribunal particularly important in the light of recent Department of Work and Pensions changes. It was noted that there may be TUPE implications for staff transferring to the new provider.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the pre-tender considerations and criteria to be used to evaluate tenders for the Adult Social Care (ASC) advocacy services as set out in paragraph 3.10 of the report from the Acting Director, Adult Social Services, be approved;

(ii)        that officers invite tenders and evaluate them in accordance with the approved evaluation criteria;

(iii)       that it be noted that the short term extensions for four existing Advocacy contracts would be agreed with current providers. Their collective value would not exceed £29,054 and each will end when the new contract went live on the 1st June 2014.