Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
London Borough of Hounslow
Hounslow House, Bath Road, Hounslow
London
TW3 3EB
Contact
Miss Tracey Williams
tracey.williams@hounslow.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI75 - Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
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
Social Welfare Advice Service
Reference number
DN674064
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 75000000 - Administration, defence and social security services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The London Borough of Hounslow, will shortly be preparing its procurement strategy to identify the most appropriate route to market for the delivery of Social Welfare Advice Service.
Hounslow Council is conducting a market engagement exercise for the recommission of the Social Welfare Advice Service, an independent, confidential and free advice and support service that helps Hounslow residents solve their social welfare problems (in relation to welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer issues, family and relationships, discrimination and immigration).
This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is an opportunity for potential bidders to identify their capacity to deliver this service.
The London Borough of Hounslow is keen to engage with potential providers, any potential provider interested in engaging with Hounslow should complete the market engagement questionnaire available on the London Tenders portal
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=3fe93427-1209-ee11-8123-005056b64545and submit by 13:00 on Wednesday 19th July 2023.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI75 - Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Hounslow Council is conducting a market engagement exercise for the recommission of the Social Welfare Advice Service, an independent, confidential and free advice and support service that helps Hounslow residents solve their social welfare problems (in relation to welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer issues, family and relationships, discrimination and immigration).
The service will include casework and specialist representation, including representation at social security tribunals and administration of Debt Relief Orders.
The service should provide a range of access routes to social welfare advice and support, including face-to-face (in a range of localities across the borough of Hounslow), telephone and online and through both drop-in and booked appointments.
The service provider will need to demonstrate the following:
• Hold a recognised quality standard relevant to the provision of social welfare advice
• Have appropriate Professional Indemnity, Public Liability (third party) and Employer’s Liability insurance
• Membership of a recognised national network of independent social welfare advice providers, including current members of the Advice Services Alliance such as AdviceUK, Age UK, Citizens Advice, Law Centres Network, Shelter and Youth Access
• Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide debt counselling and debt adjusting on a non-profit basis
• Able to support residents to apply for Debt Relief Orders
• Registered by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner to provide immigration advice at Level 1 or above
• Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office with appropriate data protection and information security measures in place, including Data Protection Policy, Privacy Statement and relevant data sharing agreements
• Relevant policies and procedures including Equality and Diversity, Confidentiality and Health and Safety Policies, Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy and holding Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificates
The service will begin in April 2024.
The London Borough of Hounslow is keen to engage with potential providers, any potential provider interested in engaging with Hounslow should complete the market engagement questionnaire available on the London Tenders portal
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=3fe93427-1209-ee11-8123-005056b64545
and submit by 13:00 on Wednesday 19th July 2023.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The initial contract will be for 2 years with the option to extend for a potential 2 further periods of 12 months each extension.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
2 October 2023
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes