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II.1.1) Title
NEPO603 - Tyne-Tees Independent Foster Care Services (C-012130) - Opening July 2026
Reference number: OPEN20251949
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council ("the Lead Authority'') is acting as the Lead Authority on behalf of the North-East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) and its Member Authorities, in respect of a bespoke Flexible Procurement solution under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended), within the Social and Other Specific Services Procurement Route. The bespoke flexible procurement solution will be known as the Flexible Procurement Agreement (Contract), for Independent Foster Care Services.
This Contract commenced 01 July 2022 for an initial 3 years with 3 x 12-month options to extend. Newcastle City Council was the Lead Authority for the initial contract period, with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council becoming the Lead Authority for the contract from 01 July 2025.
The Contract will be open at a frequency determined by the Council to maintain sufficient placement capacity on the solution and to allow Provider applications to join the solution. Please refer to the tender pack for the intended opening timetable.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Standard Support Placements
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC
Main site or place of performance:
Primarily the North East of England, however the Participating Authorities recognise that services may need to be delivered outside of this area.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Participating Local Authorities are seeking to appoint multiple Providers to deliver Services for the provision of Independent Foster Care Services on a non-exclusive basis. The Provider acknowledges that, in entering this Flexible Procurement Agreement (the Contract), no form of exclusivity or volume guarantee has been granted by the Participating Authorities for Services from the Provider and that the Participating Organisations are at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any of the Services.
The Lead Authority are carrying out the procurement of this bespoke Flexible Procurement Agreement (Contract) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended), within the Social and Other Specific Services Procurement Route. This means that the Lead Authority will invite all interested parties to tender as a single stage.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
30/06/2027
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
Yes
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 x 12 month optional extension period remains available, up to 30 June 2028
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
Extra Support Placements
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC
Main site or place of performance:
Primarily the North East of England, however the Participating Authorities recognise that services may need to be delivered outside of this area.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Participating Local Authorities are seeking to appoint multiple Providers to deliver Services for the provision of Independent Foster Care Services on a non-exclusive basis. The Provider acknowledges that, in entering this Flexible Procurement Agreement (the Contract), no form of exclusivity or volume guarantee has been granted by the Participating Authorities for Services from the Provider and that the Participating Organisations are at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any of the Services.
The Lead Authority are carrying out the Opening of this bespoke Flexible Procurement Agreement (Contract) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended), within the Social and Other Specific Services Procurement Route. This means that the Lead Authority will invite all interested parties to tender as a single stage.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
30/06/2027
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 x 12 month optional extension period remains available, up to 30 June 2028
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: 3
II.2.1) Title
Enhanced Support Placements
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC
Main site or place of performance:
Primarily the North East of England, however the Participating Authorities recognise that services may need to be delivered outside of this area.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Participating Local Authorities are seeking to appoint multiple Providers to deliver Services for the provision of Independent Foster Care Services on a non-exclusive basis. The Provider acknowledges that, in entering this Flexible Procurement Agreement (the Contract), no form of exclusivity or volume guarantee has been granted by the Participating Authorities for Services from the Provider and that the Participating Organisations are at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any of the Services.
The Lead Authority are carrying out the Opening of this bespoke Flexible Procurement Agreement (Contract) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended), within the Social and Other Specific Services Procurement Route. This means that the Lead Authority will invite all interested parties to tender as a single stage.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
30/06/2027
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 x 12 month optional extension period remains available, up to 30 June 2028
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: 4
II.2.1) Title
Parent and Child / Baby Placements
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC
Main site or place of performance:
Primarily the North East of England, however the Participating Authorities recognise that services may need to be delivered outside of this area.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Participating Local Authorities are seeking to appoint multiple Providers to deliver Services for the provision of Independent Foster Care Services on a non-exclusive basis. The Provider acknowledges that, in entering this Flexible Procurement Agreement (the Contract), no form of exclusivity or volume guarantee has been granted by the Participating Authorities for Services from the Provider and that the Participating Organisations are at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any of the Services.
The Lead Authority are carrying out the Opening of this bespoke Flexible Procurement Agreement (Contract) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended), within the Social and Other Specific Services Procurement Route. This means that the Lead Authority will invite all interested parties to tender as a single stage.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
30/06/2027
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 x 12 month optional extension period remains available, up to 30 June 2028
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: 5
II.2.1) Title
Parent and Child / Baby Assessment Placements
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC
Main site or place of performance:
Primarily the North East of England, however the Participating Authorities recognise that services may need to be delivered outside of this area.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Participating Local Authorities are seeking to appoint multiple Providers to deliver Services for the provision of Independent Foster Care Services on a non-exclusive basis. The Provider acknowledges that, in entering this Flexible Procurement Agreement (the Contract), no form of exclusivity or volume guarantee has been granted by the Participating Authorities for Services from the Provider and that the Participating Organisations are at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any of the Services.
The Lead Authority are carrying out the Opening of this bespoke Flexible Procurement Agreement (Contract) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended), within the Social and Other Specific Services Procurement Route. This means that the Lead Authority will invite all interested parties to tender as a single stage.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
30/06/2027
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 x 12 month optional extension period remains available, up to 30 June 2028
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: 6
II.2.1) Title
Staying Put Arrangements
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC
Main site or place of performance:
Primarily the North East of England, however the Participating Authorities recognise that services may need to be delivered outside of this area.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Participating Local Authorities are seeking to appoint multiple Providers to deliver Services for the provision of Independent Foster Care Services on a non-exclusive basis. The Provider acknowledges that, in entering this Flexible Procurement Agreement (the Contract), no form of exclusivity or volume guarantee has been granted by the Participating Authorities for Services from the Provider and that the Participating Organisations are at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any of the Services.
The Lead Authority are carrying out the Opening of this bespoke Flexible Procurement Agreement (Contract) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended), within the Social and Other Specific Services Procurement Route. This means that the Lead Authority will invite all interested parties to tender as a single stage.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
30/06/2027
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
1 x 12 month optional extension period remains available, up to 30 June 2028
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No