Issue - meetings

This report concerns the procurement of a Direct Payment Services contract to allow the Council to offer a Support and Advice (general, employment and ongoing) and Managed Account service provision. The contract will replace an existing agreement which comes to an end on the 28 November 2015. This report requests approval to invite tenders in respect of a DPS contract as required by Contract Standing Orders 88 and 89. 

(i)         that approval be given to the invite of tenders for a Direct Payment Service contract on the basis of the pre - tender considerations set out in paragraph 5.0 of the report from the Director of Adult Services;

(ii)        that approval be given to officers evaluating the tenders referred to in (i) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 5.0 (vi) of the report.

The report from the Strategic Director, Adults concerned the procurement of a Direct Payment Services contract to allow the council to offer a Support and Advice (general, employment and ongoing) and Managed Account service provision. The contract would replace an existing agreement which would come to an end on 28 November 2015. The report requested approval to invite tenders in respect of a DPS contract as required by Contract Standing Orders 88 and 89. 

Councillor Hirani (Lead Member, Adults, Health and Well-being) made reference to the target to increase take up and for a further 400 service users to be recipients of DPs over the next three years. This would bring the total number of DPs users to 1127 by the end of the new contract term in November 2018. Additionally, the opportunity was being taken to further expand services and to include in the contract a support service for individuals living at home with Direct Payments and also support for individuals to manage their Personal Health budgets. Councillor Hirani assured that as part of the West London Alliance, value for money and flexibility were assured. He was also pleased that bidders would be asked to submit pricing that included the London Living Wage, a direct benefit to carers and workers.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to the invite of tenders for a Direct Payment Service contract on the basis of the pre-tender considerations set out in paragraph 5.0 of the report from the Director of Adult Services;

(ii)        that approval be given to officers evaluating the tenders referred to in (i) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 5.0 (vi) of the report.