Social and other specific services – public contracts
Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
North Ayrshire Council
Cunninghame House, Friars Croft
Irvine
KA12 8EE
UK
E-mail: lynseybennett@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM93
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00337
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
NAC/5198 - Early Learning and Childcare Funded Providers
Reference number: NAC/5198
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85312110
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
North Ayrshire Council invites Providers to apply for this Flexible Framework Agreement to be eligible to deliver Early Learning and Childcare Funded Hours within North Ayrshire.
The current framework (NAC/5011) expires on 31st July 2025 and as such, NAC require a new Flexible Framework Agreement to commence from 1st August 2025. The proposed Framework will be for a period of 5 years, expiring 31st July 2030.
The terms and conditions of the Flexible Framework Agreement will be the Early Learning and Childcare Model Terms and Conditions.
All providers who apply and meet the miniumum conditions of the Flexible Framework agreement (i.e. the National Standards & relevant legislation as noted in the attached documentation) and who accept the rates/framework terms and conditions shall be accepted to deliver funded provision through the Flexible Framework Agreement.
Providers can apply for the Flexible Framework Agreement at any time, however to be eligible to start Funded Placements by 1st August 2025 Providers must submit their application by 8th May 2025.
Applications recieved after 8th May 2025 will not be reviewed until August 2025 at the earliest.
Please review the attached documentation for further information. A Question & Answer facility is available for Providers to submit enquiries related to the application process. All questions must be submitted before 1st May 2025 to ensure a response is received prior to the submission deadline.
NAC will be holding drop-in sessions to support Providers with their applications. Members of the Early Years and Corporate Procurement Teams will be available to answer any queries you may have in relation to your application. These sessions will be held at Marress House Early Years Centre, Friars Croft, Irvine, KA11 8EE on Wednesday 26th March 2025 and Wednesday 30th April 2025. Providers are invited to drop-in at any time between 2-8pm on these dates to discuss their applications.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Lot 1 - Early Learning and Childcare Services (Including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector Settings)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80110000
85312110
85312100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM93
Main site or place of performance:
North Ayrshire
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 1 of this Flexible Framework Agreement sets out the minimum standards required from Early Learning and Childcare (Nursery) Services (including Private, Voluntary and Third Sector settings).
To apply for this Lot Providers must:
1) Read and review all documentation attached to this notice;
2) Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and
3) Provide all required evidence listed in Part B (Provider Evidence Requirements) for Lot 1
Where initial evidence submitted does not provide sufficient assurance, additional evidence may be sought by the Council. Potential additional evidence that may be sought is outlined in the attached documents.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2 - Childminding Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80110000
85312110
85312100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM93
Main site or place of performance:
North Ayrshire
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 2 of this Flexible Framework Agreement sets out the minimum standards required from Childminding Services.
To apply for this Lot Providers must:
1) Read and review all documentation attached to this notice;
2) Submit a completed Part A (Information and Requirements) Form; and
3) Provide all required evidence listed in Part B (Provider Evidence Requirements) for Lot 2
Where initial evidence submitted does not provide sufficient assurance, additional evidence may be sought by the Council. Potential additional evidence that may be sought is outlined in the attached documents.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.4) Objective rules and criteria for participation
Bidders may be excluded if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Justification for any framework agreement duration exceeding 4 years: Flexible Framework Agreement established under the Light Touch Regime.
IV.1.10) Identification of the national rules applicable to the procedure:
Information about national procedures is available at: (URL)
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Procurement
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
08/05/2025
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=792536.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:
The framework has been divided into lots to support SMEs to gain access to opportunities through the flexible framework. The nature of the services delivered are unlikely to be delivered through sub-contractors and therefore a sub-contract clause is not suitable for this type of services framework.
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include any community benefit requirements in this contract for the following reason:
The Flexible Framework does not provide a guarantee of work, therefore community benefits are not being made mandatory within the tender.
(SC Ref:792536)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Kilmarnock Sheriff Court
Sheriff Court House, St Marnock Street
Kilmarnock
KA1 1ED
UK
Telephone: +44 1563550024
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
19/03/2025