Tender

Student Assistance Services

  • APUC LIMITED

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2022/S 000-006222

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-031ee7

Published 7 March 2022, 10:13pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

APUC LIMITED

Unit 27,Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen

STIRLING

FK82DZ

Contact

Stephen Connor

Email

sconnor@apuc-scot.ac.uk

Telephone

+44 7904908770

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM - Scotland

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10402

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

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 to the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Education


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Student Assistance Services

Reference number

SEC 1005 AP

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85312320 - Counselling services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

This framework aims to cover a range of student assistance services. This is includes Clinical Support, Therapeutic Group Sessions, Workshops, Online Support and Assistance Services, App based Information and Support as well as a Crisis Helpline

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £3,000,000

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

Clinical Support including Counselling Services

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
  • 85312320 - Counselling services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Clinical Support including counselling services including, but not limited to, a range of counselling services on a one-on-one basis given via secure video conferencing, telephone and in a face-to-face setting.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Operation & Management of the Framework Agreement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Data Protection Risks / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Service Delivery - Methodology / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Knowledge and Expertise / Weighting: 15

Quality criterion - Name: Proposed Resource and Contingency / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 30

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Framework Agreement will be an initial period of 2 years. The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Therapeutic Group Sessions and Group Counselling

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
  • 85312320 - Counselling services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Facilitation and management of in person therapeutic group sessions and group counselling sessions

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Operation & Management of the Framework Agreement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Data Protection Risks / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Service Delivery - Methodology / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Knowledge and Expertise / Weighting: 15

Quality criterion - Name: Proposed Resource and Contingency / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 30

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Group Workshops on Psychoeducation

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
  • 85312320 - Counselling services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Delivery and facilitation of in person group workshops on psychoeducation

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Operation & Management of the Framework Agreement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Data Protection Risks / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Service Delivery - Methodology / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Knowledge and Expertise / Weighting: 15

Quality criterion - Name: Proposed Resource and Contingency / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 30

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Online Support and Assistance Services

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
  • 85312320 - Counselling services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Provision of online peer to peer web portal and online knowledge hub for students.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Operation & Management of the Framework Agreement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Data Protection Risks / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Method Statement on the delivery of a peer to peer Web Portal / Weighting: 22.5

Quality criterion - Name: Method Statement on the delivery of a Online Knowledge Hub / Weighting: 22.5

Price - Weighting: 30

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

App based Information and Support

Lot No

5

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
  • 85312320 - Counselling services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The provision of information and support to students accessible through an app via devices.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Operation & Management of the Framework Agreement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Data Protection Risks / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Method Statement / Weighting: 45

Price - Weighting: 30

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Out of Hours Crisis Helpline (24/7 or as required)

Lot No

6

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
  • 85312320 - Counselling services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The provision of an out of hours crisis intervention service, in the form of, as a minimum a 24-hour helpline (or as required) with a referral system

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Operation & Management of the Framework Agreement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Responsible Procurement / Weighting: 7.5

Quality criterion - Name: Data Protection Risks / Weighting: 10

Quality criterion - Name: Service Delivery - Methodology / Weighting: 20

Quality criterion - Name: Knowledge and Expertise / Weighting: 15

Quality criterion - Name: Proposed Resource and Contingency / Weighting: 10

Price - Weighting: 30

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a further 2 x 12 month periods subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: 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

Counsellors and all Service Provider Personnel attending any Institutions or interacting with students sites must have PVG Scheme Membership. This is a minimum requirement and Bidders are asked to confirm membership in their response to the Single Procurement Document (SPD).

Key Personnel to be qualified members of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapist (BACP), UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) or equivalent

Key Personnel to be a chartered Counselling/Clinical psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and also hold registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC);

These are minimum requirements and Bidders are asked to confirm membership in their response to the Single Procurement Document (SPD).

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

List and brief description of selection criteria

Tenderers must confirm they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award:

Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance* = GBP 5 Million

Public Liability Insurance = GBP 5 Million

Professional Indemnity Insurance = GBP 2 Million

Please refer to Part IV Selection Criteria: Questions within 4B.5 of the SPD

The successful tenderer will be required to provide 2 years audited accounts, or equivalent if awarded to the Framework Agreement

Please refer to Part IV Selection Criteria: Questions within 4B.6 of the SPD

three.2) Conditions related to the contract

three.2.2) Contract performance conditions

SUBMISSION OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

Prior to the commencement of the Framework Agreement, the Contractor will provide the Authority with contact details of the Management Information contact who will be provided with a template spreadsheet/reporting schedule along with a username and password for the management information website http://www.ucsp.ac.uk/

Contractors must provide the information on a quarterly basis, within 10 working days following the start of each quarter by logging into the website and uploading the template document. If there has been no spend for the quarter then this will still require you to log in and record a nil spend return.

Following the beginning of each new academic year the Authority will provide the Contractor with a new template along with the reporting schedule.


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

Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 30

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

8 April 2022

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Tender must be valid until: 31 August 2022

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

8 April 2022

Local time

1:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: Yes

Estimated timing for further notices to be published: March 2024

six.3) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

The following should be submitted prior to award. It is for information only and will not be scored.

Form of Tender

Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award "Appendix A - Form of Tender" in the Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.

Freedom of Information

Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award "Appendix B - Freedom of Information" if applicable in the Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.

Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct

Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award "Appendix D - Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct" in the Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.

General Data Protection Regulation

Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award "Appendix G - GDPR Contractor Assessment Form" in the Technical Questionnaire in PCS-Tender.

Please confirm that you will be in a position to submit prior to award SCM RP Section 1/Appendix H

For Information only

List of Institutions - Appendix E

The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 19220. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343

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 or social value that will be delivered through this Framework Agreement will be training opportunities, apprenticeships, subcontractor opportunities or investment in the local community.

(SC Ref:683055)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Stirling Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

Sheriff Court House, Viewfield Place

Stirling

FK8 1NH

Email

stirling@scotcourts.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/stirling-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

Under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.