Contract

Advocacy Services: Lot 1 – Children’s Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers Services and Lot 2 - Adult’s Advocacy Service. Ref.: I-1841

  • Oxfordshire County Council

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-019524

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04104e

Published 26 June 2024, 11:46am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Oxfordshire County Council

County Hall

Oxford

OX1 1ND

Contact

Ms Alice Leung

Email

alice.leung@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 111

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKJ14 - Oxfordshire

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

Buyer's address

http://www.oxfordshire.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

Advocacy Services: Lot 1 – Children’s Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers Services and Lot 2 - Adult’s Advocacy Service. Ref.: I-1841

Reference number

DN695419

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 75200000 - Provision of services to the community

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Tenderers are invited to tender for the provision of Services as described in Appendix 1 Specification for the Provision of Children's Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers (Lot 1) and Adult's Advocacy Services (Lot 2).

Advocacy services provide the support which enables an individual, usually a vulnerable person, to understand and communicate their choice or express their views on issues and participate in making decisions which affect them.

The Council has a statutory duty under the Care Act 2014 to ensure that some form of independently led support is available for eligible children, young people, and adults.

The Lot 1: Children's Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers Services include:

- Specialist IMCA, IMCA DoLS

- Paid Relevant Person's

- Representative, Rule 1.2

- CoPDoLS service to those people eligible under the Mental Act 2005 (Independent Mental Capacity Advocates) (General) Regulations 2006, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Independent Mental Capacity Advocates) (Expansion of Role) Regulations 2006: and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

- Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCA)

- Regulation 44 Visits

- Independent Visitors Service

- Care Leavers Services

The Lot 2: Adult's Advocacy Services include:

- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service (IMCA & (IMCA DoLS)

- Paid Relevant Person's Representative Service (RPR)

- Rule 1.2 (CoPDoLS)

- Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service (IMHA) - within Secure Hospital and Prison settings

- NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy Service

- Independent Care Act Advocacy Service (ICAA)

- Community Advocacy

- Empowerment Network

The Provider(s) will be expected to work collaboratively to ensure continuity and consistency across both services.

The highest price bidders can submit is £1,708,430.24 (3 years) - this total is for both Lot 1 and Lot 2 combined. It is anticipated, due to legislative changes that may occur during the Contract Period, that service demand may increase. If this occurs and the Council agrees, the estimated value for the Services may increase up to the value of £4,312,215.00. Appropriate rights are reserved under the Contracts for the Council to require the Service Provider to meet the anticipated increased demand.

The subject matter of this procurement process relates to the delivery of services which are listed to in Schedule 3 to the regulations. As such, the procurement process adopted by the Commissioners has been developed in accordance with Regulation 76 of the regulations and in particular in accordance with the fundamental public procurement principles of transparency and equal treatment.

Full details are available through the Council's e-tendering portal at https://sebp.due-north.com/ (ref DN695419)

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £2,874,810

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 1 -Children's Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers Services

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85312000 - Social work services without accommodation

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ14 - Oxfordshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Tenderers are invited to tender for the provision of Services as described in Appendix 1 Specification for the Provision of Children's Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers (Lot 1) and Adult's Advocacy Services (Lot 2).

Advocacy services provide the support which enables an individual, usually a vulnerable person, to understand and communicate their choice or express their views on issues and participate in making decisions which affect them.

The Council has a statutory duty under the Care Act 2014 to ensure that some form of independently led support is available for eligible children, young people, and adults.

The Lot 1: Children's Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers Services include:

- Specialist IMCA, IMCA DoLS

- Paid Relevant Person's

- Representative, Rule 1.2

- CoPDoLS service to those people eligible under the Mental Act 2005 (Independent Mental Capacity Advocates) (General) Regulations 2006, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Independent Mental Capacity Advocates) (Expansion of Role) Regulations 2006: and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

- Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCA)

- Regulation 44 Visits

- Independent Visitors Service

- Care Leavers Services

The Lot 2: Adult's Advocacy Services include:

- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service (IMCA & (IMCA DoLS)

- Paid Relevant Person's Representative Service (RPR)

- Rule 1.2 (CoPDoLS)

- Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service (IMHA) - within Secure Hospital and Prison settings

- NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy Service

- Independent Care Act Advocacy Service (ICAA)

- Community Advocacy

- Empowerment Network

The Provider(s) will be expected to work collaboratively to ensure continuity and consistency across both services.

The highest price bidders can submit is £1,708,430.24 (3 years) - this total is for both Lot 1 and Lot 2 combined. It is anticipated, due to legislative changes that may occur during the Contract Period, that service demand may increase. If this occurs and the Council agrees, the estimated value for the Services may increase up to the value of £4,312,215.00. Appropriate rights are reserved under the Contracts for the Council to require the Service Provider to meet the anticipated increased demand.

The subject matter of this procurement process relates to the delivery of services which are listed to in Schedule 3 to the regulations. As such, the procurement process adopted by the Commissioners has been developed in accordance with Regulation 76 of the regulations and in particular in accordance with the fundamental public procurement principles of transparency and equal treatment.

Full details are available through the Council's e-tendering portal at https://sebp.due-north.com/ (ref DN695419)

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 64%

Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 16%

Price - Weighting: 20%

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

This is a 3 year term contract, with the option to extend the term by a further 2 years [in total a 5 year term contract, if the option is exercised].

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) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 2 - Adults Advocacy Services

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85312000 - Social work services without accommodation

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ14 - Oxfordshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Tenderers are invited to tender for the provision of Services as described in Appendix 1 Specification for the Provision of Children's Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers (Lot 1) and Adult's Advocacy Services (Lot 2).

Advocacy services provide the support which enables an individual, usually a vulnerable person, to understand and communicate their choice or express their views on issues and participate in making decisions which affect them.

The Council has a statutory duty under the Care Act 2014 to ensure that some form of independently led support is available for eligible children, young people, and adults.

The Lot 1: Children's Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers Services include:

- Specialist IMCA, IMCA DoLS

- Paid Relevant Person's

- Representative, Rule 1.2

- CoPDoLS service to those people eligible under the Mental Act 2005 (Independent Mental Capacity Advocates) (General) Regulations 2006, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Independent Mental Capacity Advocates) (Expansion of Role) Regulations 2006: and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

- Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCA)

- Regulation 44 Visits

- Independent Visitors Service

- Care Leavers Services

The Lot 2: Adult's Advocacy Services include:

- Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service (IMCA & (IMCA DoLS)

- Paid Relevant Person's Representative Service (RPR)

- Rule 1.2 (CoPDoLS)

- Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service (IMHA) - within Secure Hospital and Prison settings

- NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy Service

- Independent Care Act Advocacy Service (ICAA)

- Community Advocacy

- Empowerment Network

The Provider(s) will be expected to work collaboratively to ensure continuity and consistency across both services.

The highest price bidders can submit is £1,708,430.24 (3 years) - this total is for both Lot 1 and Lot 2 combined. It is anticipated, due to legislative changes that may occur during the Contract Period, that service demand may increase. If this occurs and the Council agrees, the estimated value for the Services may increase up to the value of £4,312,215.00. Appropriate rights are reserved under the Contracts for the Council to require the Service Provider to meet the anticipated increased demand.

The subject matter of this procurement process relates to the delivery of services which are listed to in Schedule 3 to the regulations. As such, the procurement process adopted by the Commissioners has been developed in accordance with Regulation 76 of the regulations and in particular in accordance with the fundamental public procurement principles of transparency and equal treatment.

Full details are available through the Council's e-tendering portal at https://sebp.due-north.com/ (ref DN695419)

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 64%

Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 16%

Price - Weighting: 20%

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

This is a 3 year term contract, with the option to extend the term by a further 2 years [in total a 5 year term contract, if the option is exercised].

It is anticipated, due to legislative changes that may occur during the Contract Period, that service demand may increase. If this occurs and the Council agrees, the estimated value for the Services may increase up to the value of £4,312,215.00. Appropriate rights are reserved under the Contracts for the Council to require the Service Provider to meet the anticipated increased demand.

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: 2023/S 000-032056


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

1

Title

Advocacy Services: Lot 1 – Children’s Advocacy, Independent Visitors & Care Leavers Services and Lot 2 - Adult’s Advocacy Service. Ref.: I-1841

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

1 April 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 3

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Community Connex Limited

3 Jardine House, Harrovian Business Village, Bessborough Road, Harrow,

Middlesex

HA 1 3EX

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £923,710


Section five. Award of contract

Lot No

2

Title

Lot 2 - Adults Advocacy Services

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

1 April 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 4

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

VoiceAbility Advocacy

c/o Sayer Vincent Invicta House 108-114 Golden Lane

London

EC1Y 0TL

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1,951,100


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

High Court of England and Wales Royal Courts of Justice

London

WC1A 2LL

Country

United Kingdom