Scope
Reference
HCC - 04/25 - PME OSS
Description
In Hertfordshire, under the current commissioning arrangements, we have multiple services supporting survivors of different forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) at different risk levels. At present, if someone is subjected to domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and stalking, they could be supported by an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor ("IDVA") for the domestic abuse, an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor ("ISVA") for the sexual abuse, and an Independent Stalking Advice Caseworker ("ISAC") for the stalking, as well as possibly other community outreach support services.
Their support service could also change as their risk levels change. This can be understandably overwhelming and confusing for survivors and result in them having to tell their experience over and over again. There is also likely to be some duplication of work that is happening across those services. As risk is dynamic and due to the intersecting nature of VAWG, consideration is being given to the possibility of creating one VAWG advocacy service known as Joined Up Advocacy. This would connect all risk levels and forms of VAWG under one contract. Consequently, within the Joined-Up Advocacy service, one of the current areas that is being scoped is in regard to the role of an Independent Gender Violence Advisor ("IGVA") who could provide support to all risk levels, all genders, and multiple forms of VAWG. The expectation is that the Joined-Up Advocacy service would be a county wide service that would act as a One Front Door for those accessing support from the One Stop Shop.
The Council is carrying out PME in relation to this project. The Council will consider the feedback received to help inform the Council's options, requirements and further decision making. For the avoidance of doubt, this stage of the project is not part of a formal procurement process and the Council is not committing, at this stage, to carrying out such a process.
Participation or non-participation in the PME shall not prevent any supplier participating in a potential future procurement, nor is it intended that any information supplied as part of the PME shall place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process.
Please make sure that you have submitted your Supplier Questionnaire following the instructions within the PME documentation and e-tendering system. The Council will not be held accountable for any errors made by an organisation in submitting their Supplier Questionnaire.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 1 April 2030
- 4 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Contract locations
- UKH23 - Hertfordshire
Engagement
Engagement deadline
30 April 2025
Engagement process description
To access the PME documentation please visit the Council's e-tendering system Supply Hertfordshire, run by Intend at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/supplyhertfordshire and follow the on-screen guidance.
To participate in this PME, organisations must return their completed Supplier Questionnaire (Appendix A of the PME Document), together with any supporting documents, through the Correspondence area of the project on Supply Hertfordshire by the return deadline of 12.00 Noon on 30 April 2025, as per the PME documentation and e-tendering system. Supplier Questionnaires received after the deadline may not be reviewed at the Council's sole discretion.
Please make sure that you have submitted your Supplier Questionnaire following the instructions within the PME documentation and e-tendering system. The Council will not be held accountable for any errors made by an organisation in submitting their Supplier Questionnaire.
If you are experiencing problems with the Supply Hertfordshire website, In-Tend offer a help section which includes a dedicated UK support desk which can be contacted via email: support@in-tend.co.uk or Telephone: +44 1144070065 for any website/technical questions, Monday to Friday, 8:30-17:00.
Participation in the PME will be at each organisation's own cost. No expense in responding to this PME will be reimbursed by the Council.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Hertfordshire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWJT-5264-WYMY
County Hall
Hertford
SG13 8DQ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Carrie Taylor
Email: strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Website: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk
Region: UKH23 - Hertfordshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government