Open Framework for the Provision of Homecare Services

Description

Cumberland Council is advertising an Open Framework for providers to deliver 'Homecare Services', for the delivery of personal care tasks in people's own homes, regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), under The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 on a 24/7 basis in Cumberland for people over 18.  The Council is conducting the procurement of this framework using the open procedure in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) for the purpose of procuring the services described in the Service Specification.
There are two Lots - Lot 1: Standard Homecare Services and Lot 2: Bespoke/Non-Standard Homecare Services.  Successful Providers joining the Framework will automatically be awarded to both Lots.
The Council will seek to open the Framework to new applications every 6 months from the commencement of the Contract Year during the Term via Find a Tender.  It shall be at the Council’s sole discretion to open the Framework to new applications more or less frequently than every 6 months and to decide how long the tender period is open for each time. Submission deadlines are stated in the ITT.
The Council reserves the right to close the Framework to new applications if in the opinion of the Council there is good reason to do so.  In the event the Council determines to exercise its discretion to close the Framework to new applications, it will notify its intention and the period which the Framework will be closed on Find a Tender.
The Council reserves the right to reject any applications from Providers who have a CQC rating below “Good”. Applications from Providers who are not rated or below Good may be accepted on a case-by-case basis at the Council’s discretion, where the Provider can demonstrate a robust improvement plan and evidence of actions being addressed appropriately and in line with identified timescales.
The Council reserves the right to reject any applications from Providers who do not have an office base in Cumberland. From the commencement of the contract and throughout the contracted period Providers must be registered with CQC and have a local office base in Cumberland from which they will operate the service. The Council (at its sole discretion) may agree that a local office can be outside of the Cumberland boundaries where the Council is satisfied the office location is within reasonable distance of care delivery and there is suitable infrastructure in place.
The Open Framework includes requirements around delivery of Social Value and the requirement for Providers to pay the Real Living Wage to its Staff engaged in the delivery of the Services. The Council shall review the contract term around the Real Living Wage annually.
In addition to Cumberland Council (the contracting authority), the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (the ICB) is a potential user of this Framework and they may purchase homecare services, subject to the ICB signing a Framework Access Agreement.
The estimated total value of the Framework for the 4-year initial term is £128.144m excluding VAT.
The estimated total value for the initial term plus the two 12 months optional extensions is £213.038m excluding VAT. These estimated totals are based upon the maximum spend by Cumberland Council and the ICB accessing the framework from Day 1.  The Cumberland Council potential spend on Homecare Services over the full 6-year term is estimated to be £133.882m.  Details of current expenditure are indicative only. The Council does not guarantee any spend against this Framework Agreement.
You must be registered on The Chest (https://www.the-chest.org.uk/) to access the tender documents.  All bids must be received electronically via the Chest by the closing date stated in the ITT. Please read the ITT and its Schedules in full before submitting a tender.  Any clarifications about the tender must be sent via messaging on the Chest by the closing date stated in the ITT.