Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
The Highland Council
Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
Contact
Sheila McKandie
sheila.mckandie@highland.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1463702411
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM6 - Highlands and Islands
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00045
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
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
Advice and Information Services
Reference number
HC/RSF/AIS/2023
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79342300 - Customer services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The provision of face to face advice and information services relating to debt management, benefits, housing and employment rights.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £3,210,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79342300 - Customer services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
- UKM6 - Highlands and Islands
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Welfare, debt, housing and employment advice and information services are essential socio-economic levers for those accessing support. The Highland Council is inviting expressions of interest for the provision of face to face advice and information services relating to debt management, benefits, housing and employment rights. Access to these advice and support services must be available for free to all residents living in the Highland Council area. Face to face services must be provided Monday to Friday, 0900-1700 hrs, across the Highlands. The provider will be required to have offices available to public visitors in Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Skye & Lochalsh, Lochaber, Inverness, Badenoch & Strathspey and Nairn. Face to face advice will be delivered by appointment, drop-in services and through outreach sessions held in local communities. Providers will also be required to provide representation for clients and preparation and submission of appeals, financial statements, tribunal documentation on clients’ behalf. In addition to face to face services, providers will be required to offer online and telephone advice for clients.
two.2.14) Additional information
The face to face and office elements of this requirement are on the basis of Monday to Friday, 0900 to 1700. This is a vital component of the requirement.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
10 January 2023
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The contract value over three years will be up to 3.21m GBP with the option to extend for up to a further 2 years
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=713090.
(SC Ref:713090)