Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Department for Education
Sanctuary Buildings, 20, Great Smith Street
London
Emily.KITCHING@education.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Fosterlink Service - Foster Carer Recruitment
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85320000 - Social services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement at the time of conclusion of the contract:
The Department for Education has appointed a contractor for the provision of Fosterlink Service. The successful contractor will be responsible for developing, co-ordination and managing Fosterlink a support service for Local Authority (LA) fostering service providers, which will offer in-depth diagnostic support specifically focused on their recruitment and approval practices, with the aim of providing bespoke recommendations for improvement, alongside building a strong evidence base on which to share good practice nationally.
The initial contract term will be 16 months. The contract is expected to commence on the 01 December 2023 and run until 31 March 2025. There will be an option to extend its term for an additional period of 12 months. The optional extension will be subject to supplier contract performance, the requirements of the Department, the outcomes of the upcoming Spending Review and the steers of the party in leadership following the General Election at the end of 2024.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
16
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.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Contract award notice concerning this contract
Notice number: 2024/S 000-001892
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
1
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:
11 January 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract/concession has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Mott Macdonald Limited
Croydon
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (at the time of conclusion of the contract;excluding VAT)
Total value of the procurement: £571,621
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Courts of Justice
London
Country
United Kingdom
Section seven: Modifications to the contract/concession
seven.1) Description of the procurement after the modifications
seven.1.1) Main CPV code
- 85320000 - Social services
seven.1.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
seven.1.4) Description of the procurement:
The Department for Education has appointed a contractor for the provision of Fosterlink Service. The successful contractor will be responsible for developing, co-ordination and managing Fosterlink a support service for Local Authority (LA) fostering service providers, which will offer in-depth diagnostic support specifically focused on their recruitment and approval practices, with the aim of providing bespoke recommendations for improvement, alongside building a strong evidence base on which to share good practice nationally.
The initial contract term will be 16 months. The contract is expected to commence on the 01 December 2023 and run until 31 March 2025. There will be an option to extend its term for an additional period of 12 months. The optional extension will be subject to supplier contract performance, the requirements of the Department, the outcomes of the upcoming Spending Review and the steers of the party in leadership following the General Election at the end of 2024.
The contract was varied in December 2024 to include some additional work under the same scope.
seven.1.5) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
16
seven.1.6) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession:
£627,282.21
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Mott Macdonald Limited
Croydon
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
seven.2) Information about modifications
seven.2.1) Description of the modifications
Nature and extent of the modifications (with indication of possible earlier changes to the contract):
Inclusion of additional diagnostic work with local authorities (LAs) who are part of the Department’s North East Pathfinder Fostering recruitment and Retention Programme.
seven.2.2) Reasons for modification
Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire.
Description of the economic or technical reasons and the inconvenience or duplication of cost preventing a change of contractor:
Section 72, clause (1)(e) of The Procurement Act 2015 applies, which states that changes can be made where:
(e)where the modifications, irrespective of their value, are not substantial within the meaning of paragraph (8);
This change would not be classed as substantial. In addition to this, it would also create substantial duplication of costs for the Department and so clause (b) would also apply.
seven.2.3) Increase in price
Updated total contract value before the modifications (taking into account possible earlier contract modifications, price adaptions and average inflation)
Value excluding VAT: £571,621
Total contract value after the modifications
Value excluding VAT: £627,282.21