Social and other specific services – public contracts
Prior information notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Renfrewshire Council
Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1JB
UK
Contact person: Sarah Ford
E-mail: Sarah.Ford@renfrewshire.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM83
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00400
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
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
Upcoming Opportunity - Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places
Reference number: RC-CPU-25-008
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85312110
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Council will shortly be issuing a tender relating to a new Flexible Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Places in Renfrewshire. This new Flexible Framework will replace the Council’s current Flexible Framework (RC-CPU-20-113) which is due to expire on 23 May 2026.
The Council is seeking to procure the service of a number of local providers in respect of the future provision of early learning and childcare places within the Renfrewshire Council Area in addition to and to supplement the service provided at Council premises. This will allow the Council flexibility to offer Parents and Carers (including kinship carers) a choice of provider for the funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) entitlement via a Council owned and managed nursery or from an independent or third sector provider.
Interested Providers should be aware that there is a new shared framework which replaces both How good is our early learning and childcare and A quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare and the Care Inspectorate will begin to use the new framework for inspection from September 2025. The Council may use the Shared Framework as part of the assessment criteria for the upcoming tender process.
The scope of Services to be provided under this Flexible Framework falls within the definition of a “social and other specific” service under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and therefore the Flexible Framework is not subject to the full requirements of the aforementioned regulations.
The Flexible Framework will allow participating Providers to add new Services and newly Commissioned Places. It will also allow for admissions by New Entrants (Providers) throughout its duration and will be reopened at the discretion of the Council depending on demand for Services.
The Flexible Framework will be split in two lots as follows:
Lot 1 – Registered Day-Care Providers
Lot 2 – Registered Childminder
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 – Registered Day-Care Providers
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85312110
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM83
Main site or place of performance:
Renfrewshire.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The future tender procedure shall be conducted in accordance with an above Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) Threshold as an Open procedure relating to Services under Schedule 3 – Social and Other Specific Services of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2 – Registered Childminder
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85312110
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM83
Main site or place of performance:
Renfrewshire.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The future tender procedure shall be conducted in accordance with an above Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) Threshold as an Open procedure relating to Services under Schedule 3 – Social and Other Specific Services of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
04/08/2025
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Any provider interested in tendering must be registered with the Care Inspectorate appropriately and must meet the Service Specification requirements which will be issued alongside the future Contract Notice and Tender Documents. It is anticipated that this tender will be issued in early August 2025.
The Council intends to use Public Contracts Scotland-Tender (PCS-T) to conduct this tender and providers should ensure they are registered appropriately with both Public Contracts Scotland and PCS-T to obtain notifications and be able and ready to participate.
The Council intends to run an Information Session for providers in August 2025 (date and time to be confirmed) and will provide further details on this and how to register in due course. The session will include how to use the tendering portal.
Interested providers should be aware that the tender will include a cyber security element including questions on how information is held securely within the organisation.
The minimum insurance levels required for this Flexible Framework are noted below:
Lot 1 Registered Day-Care Providers:
- Employers Liability Insurance 5,000,000 GBP (statutory)
- Public Liability Insurance with appropriate extension for administering medication 10,000,000 GBP (any one occurrence)
- Professional Indemnity Insurance - 1,000,000 GBP (will accept cover in the aggregate)
- Statutory Third- Party Motor Vehicle Insurance
Lot 2 Registered Childminders:
- Employers Liability Insurance 5,000,000 GBP (statutory)
- Public Liability Insurance with appropriate extension for administering medication 5,000,000 GBP (any one occurrence)
- Professional Indemnity Insurance – 100,000 GBP (will accept cover in the aggregate)
- Statutory Third-Party Motor Vehicle Insurance
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=799736.
(SC Ref:799736)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
06/06/2025