Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Westmorland and Furness Council
South Lakeland House, Lowther Street
Kendal
LA9 4DQ
UK
Contact person: Ms Lisa Measures
Telephone: +44 1228226456
E-mail: lisa.measures@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
NUTS: UKD
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
www.the-chest.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.the-chest.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
Residential Children’s Home Services (block bed purchase) Westmorland and Furness
Reference number: DN771349
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
This Service is being commissioned to ensure that the Council has direct access to residential children’s homes placements within its local area. This will reduce the number of Cared for Children placed at a distance from their homes and local connections.
When children are unable to continue to live with their family and need to be cared for by the Council, foster care is often the best option, where they can continue to live and thrive in a family environment.
However, in some situations foster care may not be the right option to meet a child’s needs, and a residential children’s home is more suitable at that time in a child’s life.
In most circumstances, whether moving to foster or residential care, it is preferable for a child to remain living within their local area close to family, friends, contacts, and education. Children often choose to return to live in their home area when they get older, which can be a smoother transition if they have remained living close.
The Provider will have responsibility to provide high quality care for all children placed under this Contract, including their ongoing care, wellbeing and progress.
The Council will retain overall responsibility for the child. The Provider must work closely with the Council to ensure that the care provided is in line with Child’s Care and Placement Plans, monitoring progress against their plans. The Provider will also work in line with any other relevant plans in place for the child.
Provider’s staff must be qualified, trained and experienced, led by a highly skilled management team with robust oversight by senior managers, the Responsible Individual and Directors.
The residential children’s home will be within the Westmorland and Furness Council area boundaries. The accommodation be high of quality including the building, outdoor space, furnishings, equipment and decoration, with a high standard of cleanliness so that children are proud of and enjoy their home
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Service is being commissioned to ensure that the Council has direct access to residential children’s homes placements within its local area. This will reduce the number of Cared for Children placed at a distance from their homes and local connections.
When children are unable to continue to live with their family and need to be cared for by the Council, foster care is often the best option, where they can continue to live and thrive in a family environment.
However, in some situations foster care may not be the right option to meet a child’s needs, and a residential children’s home is more suitable at that time in a child’s life.
In most circumstances, whether moving to foster or residential care, it is preferable for a child to remain living within their local area close to family, friends, contacts, and education. Children often choose to return to live in their home area when they get older, which can be a smoother transition if they have remained living close.
5.5 The Provider will have responsibility to provide high quality care for all children placed under this Contract, including their ongoing care, wellbeing and progress.
5.6 The Council will retain overall responsibility for the child. The Provider must work closely with the Council to ensure that the care provided is in line with Child’s Care and Placement Plans, monitoring progress against their plans. The Provider will also work in line with any other relevant plans in place for the child.
Provider’s staff must be qualified, trained and experienced, led by a highly skilled management team with robust oversight by senior managers, the Responsible Individual and Directors.
The residential children’s home will be within the Westmorland and Furness Council area boundaries. The accommodation be high of quality including the building, outdoor space, furnishings, equipment and decoration, with a high standard of cleanliness so that children are proud of and enjoy their home
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 700
Cost criterion: Cost
/ Weighting: 200
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
End:
30/09/2028
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
1 x 24 month extension avaiavle
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:
No
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 IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
02/06/2025
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
02/06/2025
Local time: 13:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Her Majesty's Court
London
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
02/05/2025