Scope
Description
*Due to errors with Kent Business Portal, this notice's dates are inaccurate*
Maidstone Borough Council is commissioning a Citizens' Assembly to explore and address the issue of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the borough. Following a Full Council motion on 4th December 2024, and a subsequent Housing and Community Cohesion Policy Advisory Committee meeting, it was agreed that the Council would implement a range of tools to reduce VAWG, including:
• Developing a broader VAWG Strategy
• Promoting a Women's Night-Time Safety Charter
• Leveraging licensing tools
• Making women's safety central to town planning
• Achieving White Ribbon accreditation.
Lot 2. Facilitation of a Citizens' Assembly on Violence Against Women and Girls
Description
Maidstone Borough Council envisions the Citizens' Assembly comprising of an estimated 35-40 people, broadly representative of the population, meeting for approximately 4 days oflearning and deliberation over the summer period of 2025.The facilitator should provide a comprehensive range of services that allows them to executeall facets of the Citizens' Assembly. They should operate at arm's length and work at all timesto ensure the impartiality, credibility, and professionalism of the process. The facilitator willwork with the commissioning authority to deliver a high quality Citizens' Assembly.
Contract 1. The Facilitation Services for the Citizens' Assembly on Violence Against Women and Girls
Lots
Lot 2. Facilitation of a Citizens' Assembly on Violence Against Women and Girls
Supplier
Contract value
- £135,864 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Award decision date
9 July 2025
Earliest date the contract will be signed
31 July 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 July 2025 to 30 November 2025
- 4 months, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 98300000 - Miscellaneous services
Contract locations
- UKJ46 - West Kent
Information about tenders
Lot 2. Facilitation of a Citizens' Assembly on Violence Against Women and Girls
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lots that will not be awarded
Lot 1. Recruitment Services for Citizens' Assembly on Violence Against Women and Girls
Description
The selected organisation will be responsible for the following:
• Design and Implementation of Sortition Process
o Develop a robust and transparent sortition methodology to ensure a
representative sample of Maidstone residents, reflecting the borough's
demographic make-up.
o Develop and manage a database of eligible residents, utilising appropriate
data sources.
o Conduct the random selection process, ensuring impartiality and
transparency.
o Develop and implement a system for inviting randomly selected residents to
participate.
• Recruitment and Engagement
o Develop and implement a multi-channel communication strategy to inform
and engage potential participants.
o Manage all communication with randomly selected participants, including
initial invitations, follow-up calls, and provision of information about the
Citizens' Assembly.
o Provide clear and accessible information about the sortition process, the
Citizens' Assembly and participant expectations.
o Address participant queries and concerns in a timely and professional
manner.
o Achieve a target number of 45 residents.
o Provide clear reporting on the demographics of recruited participants.
• Logistics and Administration
o Manage all administrative aspects of the recruitment process, including data
management, communication and reporting.
o Ensure compliance with all relevant data protection regulations (GDPR).
o Provide regular progress reports to Maidstone Borough Council.
CPV classifications
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
Date of decision not to award
9 July 2025
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Supplier
The Involve Foundation
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street
London
E2 6HG
United Kingdom
Email: involve@involve.org.uk
Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. The Facilitation Services for the Citizens' Assembly on Violence Against Women and Girls
Contracting authority
Maidstone Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGRT-5366-CGWY
Maidstone House, King Street
Maidstone
ME15 6JQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ45 - Mid Kent
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government