Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Essex County Council
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
Contact
Mr Andrew Beaver
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKH3 - Essex
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
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
CO02454 Pre-Employment Checks - Vetting Services
Reference number
DN616419
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
Essex County Council (ECC) Employment Vetting Service currently processes Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) and other employments checks for internal staff, and also to External Customer Organisations across the UK. The current split of checks is approx. 30% internal to 70% external.
ECC is seeking to replace its current service provision with a service that will offer a range of checks including the current checks and any potential new checks that the bidder may offer.
Our longer-term aim is to become an eRB broker.
We would be seeking a provider to offer a system for checks with ECC remaining as the counter signatory for DBS
The ECC eDBS Service has a current e-Bulk contract with an external provider which is due to come to an end in November 2022. On average last year we completed 37,500 checks with an expectation to increase this by 36% throughout 2022 and continue to increase. The checks completed were made up of 23,100 DBS checks and 14,400 other pre-employment checks.
The new contract will be expected to ensure continuity for the eDBS Service element and its existing customers.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £900,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The system shall be candidate driven with minimal manual intervention by ECC. This shall include technology which enhances customer experience to ensure we are at the forefront of service provision such as facial recognition for Right to Work purposes.
The preference is for a cloud-based service with minimal impact on ECC’s infrastructure.
The system will need to be available on-line 24/7 and accessible via mobile / smart devices.
ECC branding of the version of the providers system to be used by ECC applicants. (The ECC brand book will be provided in the tender pack)
The system will be fully functional in line with our requirements and have the proven ability to integrate into other line of business systems such as our ATS
Functionality to capture data from the existing eDBS provider and retain all data pertaining to each DBS disclosure application and all other employment checks
The ability to interface with ECC’s resourcing and finance systems. The capability to raise charging information and to inform invoicing and accounting systems. The provision of regular and ad-hoc billing and activity reporting which is further outlined in the requirements spreadsheet.
The interface(s) between the e-Bulk system and the DBS must be approved by the DBS to link in with the DBS system.
It is envisaged that the Authority may invite the top three rated bidders following evaluation to present to key stakeholders.
The e-Bulk provider’s system will be able to deliver fully, to the ECC disclosures database, data entered during the disclosure application process and the resulting outcome from the DBS check.
The system will also provide access via self-service to our customers to make all other employment checks including DBS
The system shall be flexible in order to accommodate any increase in the number of checks per annum, including on-boarding large customers and any other changes. Successful implementation of the service is dependent on the system being fully functional, robust and able to accept and store the volumes of applications and subsequent outcomes to be received via the eBulk interface and additional customers checks.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
14
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Option to extend for up to 24 months in two periods of 12 months
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
10 August 2022
Local time
2:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
10 August 2022
Local time
3:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court, Royal Courts of Justice
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom