Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
North Ayrshire Council
Cunninghame House, Friars Croft
Irvine
KA12 8EE
procurement@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1294310000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM93 - East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire mainland
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00337
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.publictendersscotland.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.publictendersscotland.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
NAC/5011 Early Learning and Childcare Funded Entitlement Re-open March 2021
Reference number
NAC/5011
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85312110 - Child daycare services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
North Ayrshire Council (the “Council”) is required by Scottish Government, under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, to provide a funded placement of 1140 hours per year to all eligible 2 year olds and all children aged from 3 to those not yet attending Primary School, effective from August 2020.
In accordance with The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, Regulation 74, the Council intend to establish a Flexible Framework to secure external providers who can supplement the Council’s internal early learning and childcare provision. The proposed Framework will be for 5 years, with options for Tenderers to apply to the Framework every 6 months.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £3,200,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Childminding Services
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80110000 - Pre-school education services
- 85312110 - Child daycare services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM93 - East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire mainland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement of 600 hours, including the provision for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how
their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government has since made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours Early Learning and Childcare by 2020/2021 as set out in ‘A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland’ (2016).
The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents’ and carers’ hands allowing them to access their child’s funded entitlement with a range of ELC providers, therefore the Council are seeking to set up a Flexible Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 2 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the childminders setting.
All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be able to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Description within the technical envelope / Weighting: 95
Price - Weighting: 5
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
50
This contract is subject to renewal
No
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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Applicants where the Setting has been registered with the Care Inspectorate for less than 12 months
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85312110 - Child daycare services
- 80110000 - Pre-school education services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM93 - East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire mainland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement of 600 hours, including the provision for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government has since made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours Early Learning and Childcare by 2020/2021 as set out in ‘A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion
of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland’ (2016).
The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents’ and carers’ hands allowing them to access their child’s funded entitlement with a range of ELC providers, therefore the Council are seeking to set up a Flexible Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 3 of
this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the childminders setting.
All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be able to deliver funded provision through the Flexible
Framework.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Description within the technical envelope / Weighting: 95
Price - Weighting: 5
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
50
This contract is subject to renewal
No
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
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Nursery Services (Including private and third sector settings)
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80110000 - Pre-school education services
- 85312110 - Child daycare services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM93 - East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire mainland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours for Early Learning and Childcare by 2020/2021 as set out in ‘A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland’ (2016).
The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents’ and carers’ hands allowing them to access their child’s funded entitlement with a range of ELC providers, therefore the Council are seeking to set up a Flexible Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 1 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the private, voluntary and independent setting.
All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Description within the technical envelope / Weighting: 95
Price - Weighting: 5
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
50
This contract is subject to renewal
No
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
The Application is split into Part A and Part B. Part A is the "Applicant Information and Contractual Requirements" where Applicants must submit information which demonstrates their ability to meet the minimum contractual requirements. These requirements will include:Information concerning the Applicant, Form of Participation & Reliance on Capacity of other Entities;Mandatory and Discretionary Exclusions;Insurances;Police Checks;Care Inspectorate and Setting Information;Acceptance of Sustainable Rate & Support Package;Child Protection;Food Hygiene/Food Safety;Health and Safety;Representatives of the Applicant.
Part B is the "National Standard Criteria" section, where applicants must submit evidence which demonstrates and offers assurance that the Applicant meets the National Standard criteria. The National Standard criteria can be found
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Contract performance conditions are included within the tender documentation
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:
Framework will be awarded for a maximum period of 5 years, toensure continuity of provider availability for parents and carers.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
19 April 2021
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
19 April 2021
Local time
12:00pm
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
Further entry points to the Framework will be permitted every 6 months for new entrants and any Tenderer who were not awarded to the initial Framework entry point. The same Requirements will apply.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 18133. For more information see:
http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
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:
The framework has been divided into lots to support SMEs to gain access to opportunities through the flexible framework. The nature of the services delivered are unlikely to be delivered through sub-contractors and therefore a sub-contract clause is not suitable for this type of services framework.
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include any community benefit requirements in this contract for the following reason:
The Flexible Framework does not provide a guarantee of work, therefore community benefits are not being made mandatory within the
tender.
The award of a funded placement is dictated by parental choice therefore no work is guaranteed.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 18133. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
(SC Ref:647408)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Kilmarnock Sheriff Court
Sheriff Court House, St Marnock Street
KILMARNOCK
KA1 1ED
Country
United Kingdom