Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
The City of Edinburgh Council
Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG
Telephone
+44 1314693922
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00290
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
Edinburgh's Blended Employability Services
Reference number
CT0828
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Edinburgh Council’s Business Growth and Inclusion (BG&I) Team works with internal and external partners across the City to promote inclusive growth. The Council funds third party services to support Edinburgh residents in accessing and progressing along the Scottish Government’s Employability Strategic Skills Pipeline with the goal of securing and sustaining training and employment. These services are designed to complement national delivery and provide a local response to needs identified. Edinburgh's Blended Employability Services has been developed to complement national provision and provide a range of localised options for those who require support. This has been split into 4 contract requirements, each with their own targets and focus. It is anticipated that European Social Funds (ESF) or any equivalent replacement funding such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be used to partially fund additional service provision.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £10,500,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
In Work Employment Support Service (IWESS)
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Main site or place of performance
Edinburgh
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The City of Edinburgh Council requires an In-Work Employment Support Service to support those facing in-work poverty to maximise their income and gain more sustainable employment. The Council requires to establish and operate a In Work Employment Support Service, for service users from specific priority groups within the Strategic Skills Pipeline model. The service should respond to the “Edinburgh Economic Strategy – Delivering Good Growth for Everyone”. The service will operate as part of the Strategic Skills Pipeline in Edinburgh, adopting a holistic, ‘no wrong door’ approach and ensuring any service user who accesses the service receives a direct suitable service or a managed referral to another more suitable service provision. As such, integration with other services will be vital.
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,080,000
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: Yes
Identification of the project
European Social Fund (ESF)
two.2.14) Additional information
It is anticipated that European Social Funds (ESF) or any equivalent replacement funding such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be used to partially fund additional service provision for this requirement. Please note that the maximum estimated values stated for this Lot are for the full duration of the contract term.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Targeted Employability Service (TES)
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Main site or place of performance
City of Edinburgh
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council requires to establish and operate a Targeted Employability Service, supporting service users from specific priority groups within the Strategic Skills Pipeline model. The service should respond to the “Edinburgh Economic Strategy – Delivering Good Growth for Everyone”. The service must be an intensive city-wide service that targets gaps in unemployment provision for service users who have barriers to employment, are facing poverty and not accessing other specialist employability services.
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,160,000
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: Yes
Identification of the project
European Social Fund
two.2.14) Additional information
It is anticipated that European Social Funds (ESF) or any equivalent replacement funding such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be used to partially fund additional service provision within this requirement. Please note that the maximum estimated values stated for this Lot are for the full duration of the contract term.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Supported Employment Service
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Main site or place of performance
Edinburgh
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The City of Edinburgh Council will commission a Supported Employment service which reflects the Supported Employment Framework’s five stepped approach. The Supported Employment Framework for Scotland lays out the 5 stepped approach of supported employment, recognising it is a service delivery approach focussing on job outcomes. The aim of Supported Employment is that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions obtain sustainable work in the open labour market, where they are paid the going rate for the job. As part of the model, the emphasis is on obtaining full-time employment, which is defined as 16+ hours. Supported Employment is an employment first model, often described as “place and train” where the emphasis is on finding the person a job as soon as possible and then supporting them within the job.
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £5,760,000
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: Yes
Identification of the project
European Social Funds (ESF)
two.2.14) Additional information
It is anticipated that European Social Funds (ESF) or any equivalent replacement funding such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be used to partially fund additional service provision within this requirement. Please note that the maximum estimated values stated for this Lot are for the full duration of the contract term.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Complex Needs Employability Service
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85312510 - Vocational rehabilitation services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
Main site or place of performance
Edinburgh
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council requires an employability provision for service users who have complex needs. This is to provide the necessary advice and support to enable them to sustain engagement in the Strategic Skills Pipeline, in line with the ‘Inclusive Edinburgh’ principles.
This service must be an intensive employability support service for those in recovery from substance misuse, recent involvement in the criminal justice system, those experiencing homelessness and/or those with significant psycho-social issues or complex trauma.
The service will assist people in their progression towards, but not limited to, training, volunteering, further education and employment. This service is limited to people aged 16+. A referral to this service will primarily be made by a social or healthcare professional who has an established and on-going relationship with the Service User.
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,500,000
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
Please note that all estimated values for this contract are maximum estimates and the value declared is for the full term of the contract i.e. 3 years with the option to extend for a further 36 months
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
Part III: SectionA,B,C&D 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 [for above OJEU threshold)/8and9 of the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (below OJEU threshold).Part IV:Selection criteria B: Economic and financial standing Qu4B.1Tenderers are required to have:Lot 1 a minimum “general” annual turnover of 720,000;Lot 2 a minimum “general” annual turnover of 1,920,000;Lot 3 a minimum “general” annual turnover of 500,000;Lot 4 a minimum “general” annual turnover of 360,000 GBP for the last two financial years. Qu4B.4 - Current ratio for Current Year: 1.2 Current ratio for Prior Year: 1.2 Qu4B.5 a. Employers (Compulsory) Liability Insurance 5m b. Public Liability Insurance 10m c. Professional Indemnity 5m GBP Qu4D.1 more than 5 employees have in place a Health & Safety Policy. Staff who deliver regulated services to vulnerable adults must have PVG
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Form of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.10) Identification of the national rules applicable to the procedure
Information about national procedures is available at: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/
four.1.11) Main features of the award procedure
70% Quality 30% Cost
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2020/S 198-481340
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
17 June 2021
Local time
10:30am
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 ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
All additional information is contained within the Documents uploaded as part of the Invitation to Tender. Please note due to Brexit and the changes within Public Contracts Scotland, the electronic version of the ESPD has now been changed to support the SPD (Scotland). For this tender, a paper copy needs to be completed by all bidders (and sub-contractors) due to intention to utilise ESF funding to complement the service requirements.
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=651404.
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.
A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2361
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
The City of Edinburgh Council operates a Community Benefits in Procurement programme. As part of this procurement it is mandatory to deliver Community Benefits.
(SC Ref:651404)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Sheriff Court
Sheriff Court House 27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Court of Session
Parliament House Parliament Square
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
A tenderer that suffers loss as a result of a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session. The City of Edinburgh Council (the Council) will have a minimum standstill period of 10 days before awarding the contract. The communication of the award decision notice will be sent by fax or e-mail to all tenderers with the standstill period commencing on the next day. If proceedings are started in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session against the Council in respect of the decision to award the contract within the standstill period then the Council is prevented from awarding the contract. Post contract award the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session may (1) award damages provided proceedings are brought within 3 months from the date when the grounds for the bringing of the proceedings first arose (2) be entitled to issue an ineffectiveness order or impose a financial penalty on the Council. A claim for an ineffectiveness order must be made within 30 days of the Contract Award Notice being published in the FTS/OJEU or within 30 days of the date those who expressed an interest in or otherwise bid for the contract were informed of the conclusion of the contract or in any other case within 6 months from the date on which the contract was entered into.