Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Aberdeenshire Council
Woodhill House, Westburn Road
Aberdeen
AB16 5GB
claire.j.scott@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1467539600
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM50 - Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00232
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
2023 Social Care Self Directed Support and ISF Management Service
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
A locally based service to provide advice and information to members of the public regarding all aspects of Self-Directed Support,
including information about the legislation and the four options available under The Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act
2013; and to provide an Individual Service Fund management service.
The Individual Service Fund management service will be accessible to eligible individuals that choose an Individual Service Fund under Option 2 to fund all or some of their care and support package. This service will include the management of prepaid card accounts.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £1,882,632
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM50 - Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Main site or place of performance
Aberdeenshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
A locally based Self Directed Support service that includes:
- a sign-posting facility; the provision of information, support and advice; participation in the support planning process; assistance to those supported persons that choose to employ staff to do so effectively and lawfully; and including support to the individual to access legal and payroll support
- an integrated Individual Service Fund management service that will include the management of prepaid card accounts
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 four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition is justified under regulation 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 because competition is absent for technical reasons.
The Council issued a Prior Information Notice issued via PCS which did not identify alternative economic operators able to evidence the technical capacity to deliver the integrated individual fund management service of the form being procured to meet the service requirement of the Council. The Council’s service delivery model, including the individual support fund management service and prepaid account facility, is bespoke and tailored to the needs of its users.
The lack of a reasonable alternative or substitute is reflective of regulator findings that since the Social Care (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013[3] was enacted, Self Directed Support (SDS) has been implemented inconsistently across the country; and that Aberdeenshire Council has implemented a ‘bespoke approach to delivering Option 2’, with a uniqueness of supply that is recognised independently to be a ‘well designed system working well and the model most in the spirit of the Act’ .
This notice of intent to award is made with reference to Chapter 3 Particular Procurement Regimes, Section 7 Social and Other Specific Services. This procurement responds primarily to the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. It is relevant to the integration agenda and the ‘Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014’; and recognises Council responsibilities under Section 12 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act. The Scottish Government guidance on Specific Considerations and Rules for Care and Support Contracts has been followed, and light touch provisions are determined to be applicable. In relation to the award the Council has taken into account the need to ensure quality, continuity, accessibility, affordability, availability and comprehensiveness of the services; the specific needs of different categories of users, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups; the involvement and empowerment of users’ and innovation. (76.9)
The Council intends to award a contract to Cornerstone Community Care and considers that award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition is justified under regulation 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 as competition is absent for technical reasons.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 December 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Cornerstone Community Care
Centurion Court, North Esplanade West
Aberdeen
AB11 5QH
Telephone
+44 1224256000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £1,882,632
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
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=716588.
(SC Ref:716588)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Aberdeen Sheriff Court
Aberdeen
Country
United Kingdom