For the provision of semi-independent accommodation and support for 16 & 17 year old young people looked after or leaving care

TENDER OPPORTUNITY REF: CSI0800083
CONTRACT REF: HCC081547

Overview:
Hertfordshire County Council has been working on the development of a comprehensive accommodationservice for 16 & 17 year old young people who are looked after and leaving care that have a variety of diverseand complex needs.

The aim of the service is to ensure that young people have access to placements that provide a positivetransition from care to semi-independent and subsequently independent living. One of the key elements of thisdevelopment work is to increase the quantity, range and geographical spread of placements and support in andaround Hertfordshire.

The Council is establishing a preferred provider list through a clear service specification and frameworkagreement. This will involve prospective and existing providers taking part in procurement /tendering exercisefollowed by a comprehensive assessment, approval and contracting arrangement. Expressions of interest aresought from those wishing to be considered for this list. Providers should have, suitably trained staff that haveEnhanced CRB checks, suitable levels of insurance, health and safety and fire certificates/policies andprocedures.

There will be two opportunities for providers to be considered for this preferred list. The first will be forcontracts beginning in April 2009 and the second will be for contracts beginning in April 2010. The contractperiod will be for three (3) years with a possibility to extend this by one (1) year. The overall value of thisframework agreement is expected to be between £3 and £4.5 million. Tupe may apply.

Please be advised that during the tender process the following contract reference will be quoted on alldocuments and correspondence: HCC0801547.

The Process:
This is a two stage process. Interested providers should complete a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)which must be returned by the close of day on Monday 15th December 2008. Any PQQ received after theclosing date will not be considered. Only those who have successfully passed the (PQQ) stage will move to thenext stage and be invited to tender.

The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) is available electronically viahttp://www.hertsdirect.org/contractsandtenders

Click on “HCC Tender Opportunities” and then click on the appropriate Tender Opportunity title to bring up thePQQ and Expression of Interest Explanatory Note.

When replying please ensure that you have read and understood all the necessary documentation and provideall the information requested. Don’t forget to keep a copy for your reference.

Then send the completed questionnaire to the postal address below:

STRATEGIC PROCUREMENT GROUP, MUNDELLS, WELWYN GARDEN CITY, HERTFORDSHIRE, AL7 1FT

Contact Details For Further InformationContracting Issues: Karen Smith Tel: -01707 292465 Fax: 01707 292349

E-mail: karen.smith@hertscc.gov.uk

Specific Issues: Jim Hyland Tel: 01992 555908 Fax: 01992 555831

E-mail: jim.hyland@hertscc.gov.uk