Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Sheffield Hallam University
City Campus,Howard Street
SHEFFIELD
S11WB
Contact
Procurement Team
strategicprocurement@shu.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 1142253431
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKE32 - Sheffield
UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number)
10005790
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffieldhallamuniversity
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffieldhallamuniversity
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
2324-12-SLS-JB Disabled Student Support Worker Services
Reference number
2324-12-SLS-JB
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80340000 - Special education services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The University is required under the Equality Act to provide reasonable adjustments to support disabled students in reaching their potential. The Disabled Student Support Team comprises of an advisory, assistive technology and administration team. It is part of the Student Support Services team based within the Student and Academic Support directorate. Working as part of a wider network, we offer timely, accurate, and confidential information, along with advice, guidance, and resources to remove barriers to learning. We are seeking to establish an agreement with a suitable preferred supplier who can provide a high-quality, fully managed service for Disabled Student Support Workers for students studying at Sheffield Hallam University for the academic year 2024-25 onwards.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £1,166,666
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80430000 - Adult-education services at university level
- 85312400 - Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions
- 98334000 - Wellness services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKE32 - Sheffield
Main site or place of performance
Sheffield
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
We have existing suppliers in place for the delivery of disabled student support workers for students with support needs identified and funded by Sheffield Hallam University. These current arrangements are with Clear Links Support and Cosmic People and expire end of July 2024.
Our current suppliers have confirmed that in their view none of their employees will be subject to TUPE. However, it is recommended tenderers should make their own enquires as Sheffield Hallam University cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies.
Suppliers must be listed on the Student Finance England list of Non-Medical Helpers Suppliers and meet the Auditing and Quality Assurance Arrangements set by Student Finance England (SFE). They should also be members of The Association of Non-Medical Help Providers and follow their Membership Charter.
Support covers students with a wide range of difficulties including specific learning
difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia; autism spectrum conditions; sensory difficulties
such as vision and hearing loss, physical and mobility difficulties, mental health, and long-term health conditions. Support workers are expected to work within the role descriptors and meet requirements of the Department for Education mandatory qualification and professional body membership requirements to deliver Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) fundable Non-Medical Help (NMH) roles .
Recruitment & Training
Support workers should undergo an appropriate recruitment process including induction and DBS checks (where required). The supplier must ensure that support workers have relevant qualifications as set out in the Non-Medical Help (NMH) - DfE qualification and professional body membership requirements document.
The supplier will be responsible for ensuring support workers have training on:
• Their Management System
• Confidentiality and data protection
• Disability Awareness
• Role specific training where needed
• Safeguarding and risk management
Types of support
The successful supplier will be able to provide support across the following areas:
Band 1 - Support Assistants
Support Workers that carry out these roles must have the skills and competence to provide support in the following areas:
• Providing practical support around the campus
• Reading aloud
• Scribing
Roles which might provide this support include:
• Practical Support Assistant
• Reader
• Scribe
• Sighted Guide
• Exam Support Worker - reader, scribe or prompt
Band 2 - Enhanced Support Assistants
These are support activities which require an enhanced level of skill, knowledge and training to
Band 1 activities. The role of an enhanced support assistant is generally to support students to develop their independence and autonomy in HE, for example by providing support with issues such as time keeping, organisational skills etc. and can be supplemented by practical support for example library support, workshop support etc. Roles which might provide this support include:
• Study Assistant
• Notetaker
Bands 3 & 4 - Specialist Support
These roles require specialist qualifications and extensive previous experience. They broadly require support workers to help students to develop effective skills and strategies to work in a higher education context in the presence of their condition.
Roles which might provide this support include:
• Specialist Mentor (MH or ASC)
• Specialist one-to-one Study Skills and Strategy Support (ASC or SpLD)
• Specialist Support Professional (Deaf or VI)
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Mobilisation / Weighting: 5
Quality criterion - Name: Support procedures / Weighting: 5
Quality criterion - Name: Quality service / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Social value / Weighting: 5
Quality criterion - Name: Communications / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Student experience / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Performance / Weighting: 5
Quality criterion - Name: Complaints / Weighting: 5
Quality criterion - Name: Student satisfaction and improvements / Weighting: 5
Price - Weighting: 40%
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
72
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract is expected to commence on 1st August 2024 and run for 3 years, with an option to extend by a further 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The contract is expected to commence on 1st August 2024 and run for 3 years, with an option to extend by a further 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance.
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
This information can be found within the tender documents
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
3 April 2024
Local time
11:00am
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
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
3 April 2024
Local time
11:05am
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield
S1 1WB
Country
United Kingdom