Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
University of Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester
CH1 4BJ
Contact
Procurement Services
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofchester
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofchester
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
24/7 Student Assistance Programme
Reference number
2024-Jul-02
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The University of Chester is seeking tenders for a 24/7 Student Assistance Programme through the UK Open Procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.The University of Chester is committed to providing a holistic, responsive, and proactive approach to wellbeing and mental health support for our student community. To complement our existing provision within our own Student Services department, and to ensure students have access to wellbeing and mental health support at any time (24/7, 365 days a year), the University of Chester is looking to establish a contract for the provision of both telephone and online wellbeing, counselling, and mental health support. The Service will cover all University of Chester students from enrolment to graduation, which is approximately 14,500 students. We wish to continue with this type of provision following a successful trial with a Student Assistance Programme.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £300,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
- 85312320 - Counselling services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University of Chester is committed to providing a holistic, responsive, and proactive approach to wellbeing and mental health support for our student community. To complement our existing provision within our own Student Services department, and to ensure students have access to wellbeing and mental health support at any time (24/7, 365 days a year), the University of Chester is looking to establish a contract for the provision of both telephone and online wellbeing, counselling, and mental health support. The Service will cover all University of Chester students from enrolment to graduation, which is approximately 14,500 students. We wish to continue with this type of provision following a successful trial with a Student Assistance Programme.This service will provide confidential support for a range of matters that may impact student wellbeing and mental health and seek to resolve, manage and prevent issues where possible. Tenderers must be able to 1. Offer 24/7/365 telephone/video-call and online support for students requiring in-the-moment wellbeing and/or mental health information, advice and guidance. The call will incorporate assessment and triage. 2. Offer the option of a six-session model of online or telephone counselling that is BACP accredited. Providing a range of therapeutic approaches to suit the needs of individual student users. Up to 6 sessions, per student, per issue, per year, with sessions available seven days a week, including evenings. 3. Provide legal information services including information and signposting for concerns provided by appropriately qualified legal advisers (week days/office hours).4. Medical, health and lifestyle advice provided by appropriately qualified staff, for example qualified nurses (week days/office hours).5. Debt and financial information provided by appropriately qualified Money Advisers, including access to long term support via StepChange or other similar registered debt management charity (week days/office hours).6. Language Line options where a student can be transferred to an interpreter or translation service to aid them with discussing their concerns.7. Provision of digital support options via a mobile app, which includes Live Chat/WhatsApp contact options, structured health programmes, mini health checks and self-help materials. 8. Robust risk management and clinical management processes, with effective partnership working that includes informing Student Services of any University of Chester student that is deemed ‘high’ risk.9. Feedback meetings and a minimum of a quarterly management information (MI) data summary and monthly top-level data summary. Data to measure impact, demographics and clinical outcomes, including providing insights on themes which would benefit from organisational action.10. Effective implementation and ongoing promotion to ensure visibility and student awareness.11. Must have experience of providing this service to students in a higher education environment Further details are available in the tender documents. Please note the estimated total value includes the optional extension periods.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality Evaluation / Weighting: 50
Cost criterion - Name: Pricing Evaluation / Weighting: 50
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £300,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 September 2024
End date
31 August 2029
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The contract is for an initial 3 year period with the option to extend for two further periods of 12 months (1 + 1), subject to funding and contract performance. The contract may then be retender, if the services are still required.
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 three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
There are a range of qualifications and accreditations required as detailed within the tender documents.
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
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
14 August 2024
Local time
10:00am
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
14 August 2024
Local time
10:00am
Place
A formal Opening Ceremony will be conducted at the University of Chester following the closing date and time.
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
University of Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester
CH1 4BJ
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Please contact the University.