Support for the National Forum of People with Learning Disabilities & the National Valuing Families Forum (2015-2017)

The Department of Health is seeking to award a contract for the provision of governance, facilitation, enabling, administration and financial management services to support the National Forum of People with Learning Disabilities, and the National Valuing Families Forum.  The anticipated contract start date is 1 April 2015.  The contract duration will be two years with the option for a break after one year.  The total value will be £420,000 over two years.

The National Forum of People with Learning Disabilities is formed by and for people with learning disabilities.  The National Valuing Families Forum is an independent network of family carers for people with learning disabilities.  Neither is a formally constituted charity, but each brings together individuals and key groups regionally and nationally.  These Fora work to put people with learning disabilities, and the families who care for them, in the driving seat with greater choice and control and ability to contribute to and influence decisions which affect their lives. The contract will bring together, for the first time, support for the two Fora consolidating their previously separate funding streams.

The key outcomes of the work the Fora will do are:

1) people with learning disabilities and family carers are effectively involved and their voices heard from local and regional to national level in policy making and planning and oversight of services for people with learning disabilities and their families

2) Government is able to consult effectively with people with learning disabilities and their families on issues affecting them

3) people with learning disabilities and family carers coordinate and share information on their involvement in related activities such as engagement with Health and Wellbeing Boards, NHS England, Healthwatch and the Care Quality Commission.

There is an opportunity to participate in a pre-procurement supplier engagement day on Thursday 11 December 2014 in London.  The event will be the opportunity for potential bidders to provide feedback on the proposed scope of services, discuss challenges, key issues and get a better understanding of the format of the procurement route being utilised.  Organisations seeking to participate in the event should contact Paul Bywater at paul.bywater@dh.gsi.gov.uk by 12 Midday on Wednesday 10 December 2014.

When expressing an interest service providers should provide:

(I) the contact details of the service providers representative

(ii) a single paragraph summary of your organisations experience including whether you are a Small to Medium sized Enterprise or Voluntary Sector Organisation .

Draft procurement documents will be made available on the Contracts Finder website at https://online.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/ from 4 December 2014.