Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Reading Borough Council
Civic Offices
READING
RG12LU
Contact
Ben Boatman
benjamin.boatman@reading.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1189374533
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ11 - Berkshire
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
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
Closing the Gap 2 - Market Engagement Nov 24
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85320000 - Social services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Closing the Gap (CTG) is a contract opportunity for providers to deliver preventative community-based services.
The current contracts are due to end on 31st October 2025, and we plan to re-procure early 2025 to start the new contracts on the 1st November 2025.
Engaging with providers is a key part of developing what Closing the Gap 2 will look like. As such, we are holding an engagement session to gather views, with more sessions to take place over the coming months.
Our next engagement session will take place as part of Reading Voluntary Action's (RVA) Voluntary Care Sector Assembly:
o 9:45am - 12:45pm, Victoria Hall, Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street Reading RG1 1QH.
o Prospective providers are invited to help shape the offer to meet local needs and find potential partners.
o Book on Eventbrite: Reading VCS Assembly - Making the case for prevention Tickets, Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 9:45 AM | Eventbrite
For Closing the Gap 2, the contract outcome areas below have been identified, but to note these are high-level, indicative, and subject to change. We still have a way to go, such as being approved via the Council's governance channels.
They have been shaped by learning from the current Closing the Gap services, a Needs Analysis, feedback from stakeholders, a working group of cross-council colleagues and external stakeholders and consultations with funding stakeholders regarding alignment to funding outcome requirements.
Proposed contract outcome areas:
• Carers' Information & Advice Service,
• VCS Infrastructure Support,
• Ageing Well,
• Women's Wellbeing,
• Mental Health,
• Support with building resilience, independence, and wellbeing within diverse communities,
• Learning Disabilities & Autism,
• Supporting people to get out and stay out of poverty,
• Refugee Support,
• Young People's Mental Health,
• Men's Mental Health,
• Sensory Needs,
• LGBTQ+,
• HIV Support.
PIN expires 18.11.24
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85320000 - Social services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Main site or place of performance
Within Reading borough boundary
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
To be confirmed
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 April 2025
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