Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Nottinghamshire County Council
County Hall, West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 7QP
Contact
Mr Joe Sardone
Telephone
+44 1159773136
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk
Buyer's address
http://www.nottinghamshire.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
Children’s Advocacy Service
Reference number
DN525043
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Nottinghamshire County Council (the Council) are seeking tenders from suitably qualified bidders to provide an independent advocacy service for young people from age 8 who are looked after by Nottinghamshire County Council. This services will also include;
The provision of a visiting service to disabled children in residential units and children at a secure provision.
Independent person for secure panels
The Council is seeking bids that offer value for money through efficiency and innovative thinking and Bidders will be required to identify the level of service (hours) that will be provided for the funds available Nottinghamshire County Council wishes to appoint a single service provider.
The scope and nature of the services required by the Council are set out in more detail in the Specification.
The contract duration will be for 3 years with an option to extend for a further 2 24-month periods.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Lowest offer: £317 / Highest offer: £800,000 taken into consideration
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire
- UKF16 - South Nottinghamshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The council has a duty to offer an independent advocacy service. The main purpose is to empower and enable young people to have a voice by providing independent information, advice, support, and advocacy. It provides a confidential opportunity to share information and concerns about their care or treatment, to be informed of their rights and be able to access independent representation.
Advocacy plays a key role in supporting children and young people to have their voices heard, their rights and entitlements met, providing a more holistic and positive experience of the care system. This is different to the role of the social worker and other professionals who have a duty to make ‘best interest’ decisions for the child.
Nottinghamshire currently has a joint contract with Nottingham City Council for the provision of advocacy services and independent visiting. The Nottinghamshire element of this existing service is due to end on 30 September 2021, and this has given the opportunity to redesign the service and expand the advocacy offer to include the provision of advocates for children in need and care leavers. The council will not be recommissioning the independent visitor element of the service as this will be delivered in-house via the Youth Service.
Nottinghamshire county council require an advocacy service which will be split into 2 parts: Part A and Part B. The Council is committed to Part A for the duration of the contract. There is an ambition to expand the contract to include Part B subject to financial approval. The Council is looking for a provider that could grow the contract to incorporate Part B should additional funding be secured in 2022-23.
• Part A will be available to all children/young people, including those with disabilities, who are looked after by the council, within and outside of its authority area,
• Part B would seek to include children and young people on child in need and child protection plans, care leavers, and homeless 16/17-year-olds.
The contract will commence from 1st October 2021 for a period of 3 years to 30th September 2024. There are two twenty-four-month extensions available, with the agreement of both parties.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 70
Cost criterion - Name: Financial / Weighting: 30
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
There are two twenty-four-month extensions available, with the agreement of both parties.
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 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: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2021/S 000-002233
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
21 May 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 5
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 5
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Change Grow Live Services Ltd
3rd Floor, Tower Point 44 North Road Brighton East Sussex
Brighton
BN1 1YR
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Lowest offer: £315,000 / Highest offer: £800,000 taken into consideration
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
London
Country
United Kingdom