Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Falkirk Council
The Foundry, 4 Central Park, Central Boulevard
Falkirk
FK5 4RU
Telephone
+44 1324506566
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM76 - Falkirk
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00184
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
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
Provision of Foster Care and Continuing Care Service
Reference number
CS/047/25
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Framework Agreement for foster placements and continuing care for children and young people requiring this provision preferably within a 25-mile radius of West Bridge Street, Falkirk, FK1 5RS.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £15,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85310000 - Social work services
- 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation
- 85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people
- 85320000 - Social services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM76 - Falkirk
Main site or place of performance
Placements within a 25-mile radius of West Bridge Street, Falkirk, FK1 5RS.
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Framework Agreement for foster placements and continuing care for children and young people requiring this provision preferably within a 25-mile radius of West Bridge Street, Falkirk, FK1 5RS.
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £15,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement
Duration in months
72
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
The duration of the Framework Agreement will be four years with the option to extend for up to two further years.
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.4) Objective rules and criteria for participation
List and brief description of rules and criteria
The foster care service must be a voluntary organisation (The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 - Ch3 s59(3)).
It is expected that successful Providers will have a Care Inspectorate rating of 3 or above for the Wellbeing Question.
It is a requirement that bidders hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the following types/levels of insurance as a minimum:
Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 10M GBP
Public Liability Insurance = 10M GBP
Professional Indemnity Insurance = 5M GBP
SPD 4B.6 Where the credit score is less than 30/100 the bidder may be excluded from the tender process unless satisfactory information is provided that gives assurances regarding financial risk in appointing the bidder to the Framework.
Bidders should provide information on the number of current carers Falkirk Council area and also within 25 mile radius for 4C.8.1 in the SPD.
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.1) Information about a particular profession
Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession
Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision
Registration with the Care Inspectorate and Scottish Social Services Council in accordance with Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 as amended.
Bidders should provide Registration number(s) including Care Inspectorate Service Number etc at Section 4A.2 in the SPD.
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
If a Provider has a Care Inspectorate rating of Adequate or below on any quality theme following the Commencement Date of the Framework, the Provider must work towards an increased grade through a robust improvement plan agreed with the Care Inspectorate.
The Providers improvement action plan agreed with the Care Inspectorate must be shared with Falkirk Council and the implications of the grades and action plan for Falkirk young people placed reviewed to provide assurances that the placements remain in the best interests of each child. The Council reserves the right to terminate a placement where such assurance is not provided to their satisfaction.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Form of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:
Health & Social Care Framework that can permit new entrantsthroughout it's duration.
four.1.10) Identification of the national rules applicable to the procedure
Information about national procedures is available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2015/446/part/2/chapter/3/crossheading/social-and-other-specific-services/made
four.1.11) Main features of the award procedure
The scope of services to be provided under this Framework falls within the definition of social and other specific services in Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") and therefore the procurement process shall be subject to the requirements of section 7 of the Regulations.
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Originally published as:
Date
24 February 2025
Local time
11:00am
Changed to:
Date
27 February 2025
Local time
11:00am
See the change notice.
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
Bidders are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
The scope of services to be provided under this Framework falls within the definition of social and other specific services in Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") and therefore the procurement process shall be subject to the requirements of section 7 of the Regulations.
SPPN 7/2021 may apply.
Reserve right to open Framework to new entrants. New Entrants will be subject to the same requirements as detailed in this Contract Notice and Tender Documents. New Entrants can apply by making initial contact to cpu@falkirk.gov.uk.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=788171.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:
No subcontracting will be permitted within this Framework without the prior written consent of Falkirk Council.
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
Community benefits are included in this requirement. Please refer to Appendix 1 - Community Benefits Statement.
(SC Ref:788171)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Court of Session
Edinburgh
Country
United Kingdom