Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Norfolk County Council
County Hall, Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 1DH
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Home
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Home
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Home
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Advice and Mediation for Foster Carers
Reference number
NCCT42857
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Norfolk County Council wishes to award a contract to a Provider to deliver an independent advice and mediation service which can be purchased by fostering services in England. It is designed for the following service users: foster carers, their families and members of the fostering service's staff.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £350,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
- 85312310 - Guidance services
- 85312000 - Social work services without accommodation
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH17 - Breckland and South Norfolk
- UKH16 - North and West Norfolk
- UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Norfolk County Council wishes to award a contract to a Provider to deliver an independent advice and mediation service which can be purchased by fostering services in England. It is designed for the following service users: foster carers, their families and members of the fostering service's staff.The service does not seek to replace the support provided by the fostering service to the carer. It aims to complement it; therefore, it is essential that ongoing communication is maintained for swift resolution of any issues that may originate from either appropriate challenge, miscommunication or issues around practice on any part. The often isolated and sometimes vulnerable position of many carers means that they need access to an independent source of advice and support in addition to that provided by the fostering team.Advice and mediation workers advise carers by phone, letter, e-mail or in person about any aspect of fostering that requires independent, confidential advice. If allegations or complaints have been received about carers, advice and mediation workers prioritise working with them. As well as listening to and advising carers and their families, workers may support carers to interpret and respond to written material.As part of their job, advice and mediation workers work with each fostering service to ensure that carers are aware of the service and encouraged to use it.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 70
Cost criterion - Name: Price / Weighting: 30
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £350,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
120
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The initial contract period is for 36 months with the option to extend for a further 84 months. The value is based on entire duration of the contract including any extensions.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
Detailed in the invitation to tender.
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
22 February 2024
Local time
11:00am
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
22 February 2024
Local time
11:05am
Place
via in-tend
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
This procurement will be managed electronically via the Council's e-procurement system. To participate in this procurement, applicants must first be registered on https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc) Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfiles (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfile). Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under 'tenders' section and 'express an interest' to view the documentation. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +448442728810 or emailing support@in-tend.co.uk.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Norfolk County Council - Head of Sourcing
Norwich
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
NPLaw
Norwich
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). Proceedings must be brought within 30 days from the date of knowledge (the date on which the economic operator first knew or ought to have known that grounds for starting the proceedings had arisen) unless the Court considers that there is good reason for extending the period within which proceedings maybe brought, in which case the Court may extend that period up to a maximum of 3 months from the date of knowledge.
six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Norfolk County Council - Procurement
Norwich
Country
United Kingdom