Planning

Prior Information Notice(PIN)/Request for Information (RFI) for DHSC ASC WSSR Workforce support and improvement offer

  • Department of Health and Social Care

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-004520

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04390b

Published 9 February 2024, 4:53pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Department of Health and Social Care

39 Victoria Street

London

SW1H 0EU

Contact

gauri jain

Email

gauri.jain@dhsc.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKI32 - Westminster

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care

Buyer's address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

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://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Ministry or any other national or federal authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Prior Information Notice(PIN)/Request for Information (RFI) for DHSC ASC WSSR Workforce support and improvement offer

Reference number

C246236

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 75120000 - Administrative services of agencies

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Department of Health and Social Care ("The Authority") seeks Prior Information Notice (PIN) and Request for Information (RFI) to outline the Authority’s intention to seek views regarding the procurement of new Core Adult Social Care Workforce Support and Improvement Offer within its various packages. The Authority's intention is to procure all packages throughout the 2024/25 financial year. Within the current offer, there are six proposed activities, which we intend to group into four procurement packages.

To review our current offer, the department completed a sector engagement exercise, supplemented by responses to a workforce survey with over 2300 responses, to establish current workforce support activity available, exploring awareness, access and use, and assessing the potential impact and possible gaps and opportunities.

The aim of the RFI is to explore your views on a proposed future workforce support and improvement offer. Responses will help to shape the specification for potential competitive tender and build a tailored support and improvement offer that maximises impact.

This PIN/RFI is not a call for competition. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute an Invitation to Tender (ITT) or a promise to issue an ITT in the future. This RFI does not commit the Authority to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.

Further, the Authority is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The Authority will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future ITT, if any is issued.

The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Authority.

All the interested suppliers should register at: health.atamis.co.uk to apply for the opportunity. The Atamis reference no.to seek this RFI is C246236. For any Atamis queries email to: support-health@atamis.co.uk or via Helpdesk Phone: 0800 9956035
The last day for RFI
clarification questions is 19th feb 2024,1500 and RFI closing date is 23rd feb 15:00.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £5,900,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 75121000 - Administrative educational services
  • 75122000 - Administrative healthcare services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKI3 - Inner London – West

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

This RFI seeks views on the four packages that may form part of a refreshed core workforce support and improvement offer. In December 2021, the government published ‘People at the Heart of Care: Adult Social Care Reform White Paper’ which outlined a 10-year vision for how we will transform support and care in England, and work “to build a workforce of the right size with the right skills to meet the growing need for care and support”. In April 2023, the government published ‘Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care’, outlining a clear plan on how to achieve this.
The Authority wish to commission a core workforce support and improvement offer to compliment this ambition.
There are six proposed activities, which we intend to group into four procurement packages. The six proposed activities are:
1. Deliver the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) for newly qualified adult social workers (NQSWs)
2. ASC System Leadership to Support Integration
3. ASC leaders networking
4. Nursing and nursing associates engagement
5. Recruitment guidance and support
6. Supporting innovation in social care recruitment

The Authority intends to use competitive tender procedure via PCR 2015 or relevant applicable law during the conduct of procurement exercise. It is anticipated that some or all of the procurement may come under the light-touch regime under PCR 2015 or relevant applicable law.

The contract duration of these procurements are mentioned in the RFI document. The Authority may extend the contract(s) at its sole discretion subjected to business approval and availability of funds.

Organisations should note that as this requirement would be replacing work delivered through an existing grant, TUPE may therefore apply.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

9 February 2024


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes