Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Cheshire East Borough Council
Westfields, Middlewich Road
Sandbach
CW11 1HZ
Contact
Ms Tracy Roberts
tracy.roberts@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1270686973
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD62 - Cheshire East
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/
Buyer's address
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
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
Universal Information and Advice Service
Reference number
DN685505
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Provider will offer a free to access, financially related, Universal Information and Advice service that is available to all residents of Cheshire East. The service will be accessible through a number of channels including face to face, telephone, email and online. As residents are regularly presenting with complex needs that cover multiple issues, there will be a clear single pathway to access the service to ensure that residents needs are assessed appropriately.
Following initial contact, the Provider will assess the resident’s issue(s) and if the issue is straightforward and can be dealt with during the initial contact they should do so, if not they will then offer further appointments to provide more time to resolve the resident’s issue(s). Referrals received from referring partners will need to be triaged and prioritised to support those in greatest need first.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £1,635,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD62 - Cheshire East
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Provider will offer a free to access, financially related, Universal Information and Advice service that is available to all residents of Cheshire East. The service will be accessible through a number of channels including face to face, telephone, email and online. As residents are regularly presenting with complex needs that cover multiple issues, there will be a clear single pathway to access the service to ensure that residents needs are assessed appropriately.
Following initial contact, the Provider will assess the resident’s issue(s) and if the issue is straightforward and can be dealt with during the initial contact they should do so, if not they will then offer further appointments to provide more time to resolve the resident’s issue(s). Referrals received from referring partners will need to be triaged and prioritised to support those in greatest need first.
The universal information and advice service will:
“Provide timely, impartial and high quality support to residents in Cheshire East that require independent, financially related advice and information.”
Overall aims and purpose of the service
• Cheshire East Council is committed to building financial resilience and inclusion by supporting some of the most vulnerable residents in the borough, and the wider challenges that they may be encountering.
• The Provider will provide a financially related Universal Information and Advice service to all residents of Cheshire East. The service will be accessible via a single point of access to ensure residents needs are assessed appropriately.
The information and advice service should be:
o free
o independent
o confidential
o impartial
o problem-solving
o accessible through a variety of channels including face to face, telephone and online.
• The service will help those accessing the service to clearly understand information, secure their rights and support them to make informed decisions about any financially related issues that they may have.
• The service must be available and accessible to those in greatest need and appropriate for people with a physical disability, mental health problems or a learning disability. The service should prioritise residents with the highest level of needs. This will include residents that have been referred by the Council’s adult social care team, benefits and housing teams.
• The service should locate its main provision in the two main towns of Crewe and Macclesfield, with outreach delivery in the eight care community areas and make use of the Connected Community Social Franchise centres, libraries and relevant partner locations
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
60
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
It will be renewed (up to 12 months prior) by the end of the initial contract period March 27 or
by the end of the full 4 year extended period March 28.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The initial term is 36 months. There are options to extend the contract of 2 x 12 month periods at the discretion of the Council. Notice of the Council's intention to extend will be provided in writing as per the terms and conditions.
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
This opportunity is available to apply for on the Chest https://www.the-chest.org.uk/
Project Reference DN685505
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
27 November 2023
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
27 November 2023
Local time
12:00pm
Information about authorised persons and opening procedure
The seal will be broken on the Chest at the date and time above by a senior member of the Legal Services Team at Cheshire East Council.
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
London
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
In accordance with Regulation 86 (Notices of decisions to award a contract), Regulation 87
(Standstill Period)and Regulation 91 (Enforcement of duties through the court) of the Public
Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended).
Cheshire East Borough Council will incorporate a standstill period at the point information
on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. That notification will provide full
information on the award decision.
The standstill period, which will be for a minimum of 10 calendar days provides time for
unsuccessful tenderers to review and scrutinize the award decision before the contract is
entered into.