Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Procurement Team, Carruthers House
Dumfries
DG1 2HP
Procurement.tenders@dumgal.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3033333000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM92 - Dumfries & Galloway
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00219
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
www.publiccontractsscotland.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
Early Learning, Childcare and Brokerage Services
Reference number
DGT/2019/925
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85312110 - Child daycare services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Early Learning & Childcare and Childcare Brokerage services are two key strands of statutory childcare services offered to parents and carers of children in Dumfries and Galloway.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Early Learning and Childcare - PVI Setting
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85312110 - Child daycare services
- 80110000 - Pre-school education services
- 80100000 - Primary education services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM92 - Dumfries & Galloway
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 1140 hours for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours for Early Learning and Childcare by 2020/21 as set out in 'A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland' (2016).
The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands allowing them to access their child's funded entitlement, therefore the Council have set up a Flexibile Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 1 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the private, voluntary and independent setting.
All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the flexible Framework.
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
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The flexible framework shall re-open at 12 month intervals, however Dumfries and Galloway Council may re-open the framework for applications at any time where geographical coverage is required to meet the needs of service.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Following the initial 12 month duration, the Flexible Framework may be extended for a further 12 months.
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.2.14) Additional information
Providers approved with a place on the Flexible Framework do not need to re-apply when the framework re-opens on an annual basis. Further details of the ELC and national standards can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/policies/early-education-and-care/
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Early Learning and Childcare - Childminders
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85312110 - Child daycare services
- 80100000 - Primary education services
- 80110000 - Pre-school education services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM92 - Dumfries & Galloway
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council has a statutory duty to make pre-school education available for eligible children under the Standards in Scotland's Schools Act 2000. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and Statutory Guidance set out the increased entitlement to 600 hours, including the provision for eligible children and places a duty on the Council to offer increased flexibility to parents as to where and how their child can access their Early Learning and Childcare entitlement. Scottish Government has made a commitment to extend the entitlement to all eligible children to 1140 hours for Early Learning and Childcare by 2020/21 as set out in 'A Blueprint for 2020; Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland' (2016).
The Funding Follows the Child approach places choice in parents' and carers' hands allowing them to access their child's funded entitlement, therefore the Council have set up a Flexibile Framework for the provision of early learning and childcare services under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Lot 2 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required from the childminders setting.
All providers who apply and meet the national standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be able to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework.
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
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
12-24 months for the flexible framework, depending on if the extension period is exercised by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The flexible framework shall re-open at 12 month intervals, however Dumfries and Galloway Council may re-open the framework for applications at any time where geographical coverage is required to meet the needs of service.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Flexible Framework may be extended for a further 12 months.
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.2.14) Additional information
Providers approved with a place on the Flexible Framework do not need to re-apply when the framework re-opens on an annual basis.
Further details of the ELC and national standards can be found here: https://www/gov.scot/policies/early-education-and-care/
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Childcare Brokerage Service
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85312120 - Daycare services for disabled children and young people
- 85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people
- 80110000 - Pre-school education services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM92 - Dumfries & Galloway
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Dumfries and Galloway Council Social Work Services provides support to enable vulnerable families to access affordable childcare in times of crisis or to be included in the child's plan to ensure that their needs are being met. The service is aimed at supporting children aged 2 and under or for young people up to 18 years old if they have Additional Support Needs and/or Disability.
The Childcare Brokerage model enables parents' and carers' to access childcare from any setting, commissioned by the Council - in the public, private or third sector, including from a childminder - who meets the applicable National Standards, has a place available and is willing to enter into a contract with the local authority. The National Standard, which underpins the approach, will provide parents and carers with the certainty that those settings delivering funded hours are offering high quality Brokerage provision. Quality is underpinned by the National Standard for Early Learning and Childcare Providers.
This service is being procured as a lot within a Flexible Framework under the Light Touch Rules contained within the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Lot 3 of this Flexible Framework sets out the minimum standards required to deliver the childcare brokerage service.
All providers who apply and meet the applicable national ELC standards, legislation, the Council's procedural requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender and accept the rates and contract terms set out by the Council shall be able to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework.
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
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
12-24 months for the flexible framework, depending on if the extension period is exercised by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The flexible framework shall re-open at 12 month intervals, however Dumfries and Galloway Council may re-open the framework for applications at any time where geographical coverage us required to meet the needs of service.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Following the initial 12 month duration, the Flexible Framework may be extended for a further 12 months.
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.2.14) Additional information
Providers approved with a place on the Flexible Framework do not need to re-apply when the framework re-opens on an annual basis.
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
Must be registered with the Care Inspectorate
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
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 50
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:
There is no limit on the number of providers who shall be appointed to provide maximum choice for parents and carers of children
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2020/S 046-109735
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
4 November 2021
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
4 November 2021
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: 2-24 months but will re-open on an annual basis or more regularly if required by the Council.
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
The award of a funded placement is dictated by parental choice therefore no work is guaranteed.
The Flexible Framework does not provide a guarantee of work. Community Benefits are not being made mandatory within the tender. Community Benefits have been encouraged in line with the nature and level of spend through the flexible framework. Delivery of community benefits shall be monitored in a proportionate manner through the life of the framework.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=630385.
(SC Ref:630385)
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=667820.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:
Community Benefits are not being made mandatory within the tender
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include any community benefit requirements in this contract for the following reason:
Community Benefits are not being made mandatory within the tender. Community Benefits have been encouraged in line with the nature and level of spend through the flexible framework. Delivery of community benefits shall be monitored in a proportionate manner through the life of the framework.
(SC Ref:667820)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Dumfries Sheriff Court
Buccleuch Street
DUMFRIES
DG1 2AN , Scotland
Telephone
+44 1387262334
Country
United Kingdom