Tender

A Framework Agreement for the Provision of Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) Services

SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 15 releases in its history.

TenderAmendment

14 Aug 2024 at 14:18

TenderAmendment

24 Apr 2024 at 12:45

TenderAmendment

24 Jan 2024 at 16:05

TenderAmendment

30 Nov 2023 at 12:02

TenderAmendment

30 Nov 2023 at 12:01

TenderAmendment

18 Aug 2023 at 07:50

TenderAmendment

17 May 2023 at 13:25

TenderAmendment

08 Feb 2023 at 09:00

TenderAmendment

18 Nov 2022 at 08:29

TenderAmendment

20 Oct 2022 at 10:22

TenderAmendment

02 Sep 2022 at 11:04

TenderAmendment

19 Aug 2022 at 09:13

TenderAmendment

01 Aug 2022 at 09:26

TenderAmendment

07 Sep 2021 at 09:07

Tender

28 Jul 2021 at 14:05

Summary of the contracting process

Southampton City Council has issued a tender for a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) Services, which includes sixteen local authorities within the South-Central IFA Framework consortium. The procurement process is currently in the Tender stage, with the tender period ending on 25 January 2024. The contract is projected to start on 26 April 2024 and will run until 31 March 2028. This procurement, valued at up to GBP 750,000,000, focuses on welfare services for children and young people and includes multiple lots for standard placements, placements for children with disabilities, parent and child placements, and enhanced fostering placements. This open procurement procedure is suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, and services are to be delivered across the South East, South West, and Wales regions in the UK.

Businesses specializing in child welfare services, particularly those with capabilities in providing foster care for diverse needs such as older children, complex medical needs, large sibling groups, and unaccompanied asylum seekers, will find significant opportunities with this tender. Companies based in Wales, as well as those in England, are invited to apply. This framework will not only provide consistent, high-value contracts over a four-year duration with potential extensions but also allows current providers to improve their price offerings and bid for additional lots, fostering growth and market expansion in the social care sector.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

A Framework Agreement for the Provision of Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) Services

Notice Description

This procurement invites tenders from both new applicants to The Councils' Framework for the Provision of Independent Fostering Agencies (IFA) Services, or from existing providers on this framework who wish to improve their original price offers or to apply for a place on additional lots. The notice for the original establishment of the Framework Agreement was published on the 28th July 2021 (reference 2021/S 000-017949) and the amended publication dated 7th September 2021, reference 2021/S 000-022124) which read as follows: "This procurement is for the establishment of a framework agreement for the provision of independent fostering agency services across sixteen (16) local authorities that comprise the South-Central IFA Framework consortium. This ITT is to establish a Framework Agreement between Southampton City Council (on behalf of the South-Central IFA Framework consortium) and those tenderers successful in their applications to be accepted on to the framework to enable the provision of foster care placements in accordance with the terms of the framework agreement. The consortium have the following needs from independent fostering agency placements: Foster carers for children of all ages, but particularly for older children aged 10-15 years. Foster carers who can meet higher levels of need, complexity and risk. Foster carers who can care for sibling groups - particularly large sibling groups. Foster carers who care for parent and child placements Foster carers who can care for disabled children- especially with adapted homes. Some will have complex medical needs and some may have a limited life expectancy. Foster carers who are registered for only one child to meet the need for solo placements. Foster carers who can care for Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers and with an awareness/willingness to work in partnership to meet their immediate immigration, health and educational needs. In addition, the Councils are particularly looking for local, well-matched placements, including education provision, and with commitment to the best interests of the child. Enhanced fostering care placements for children and young people with higher levels of need. The Framework is comprised of the following 4 Lots: Lot 1 (Standard Placements 0+ Years) Lot 2 (Children with Disabilities) Lot 3 (Parent and Child Placements) Lot 4 (Enhanced Fostering Placements) Providers may bid for one or more of these Lots in any combination. This is a requirement amongst some of the consortium members for foster placements that may be located with Wales. As such providers of fostering services based in Wales in addition to those in England are welcome to tender. Additional information: The procurement is to continue establishing a framework agreement with an initial term of four years with 16 months remaining. There is the option to extend the framework agreement by up to two additional twelve month periods, i.e. from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2027 and from 1st April 2027- 31st March 2028.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-0e715422-d19c-4ae8-8ca4-043594fa683a
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e4ddb07-b32b-4bd7-aab7-80f08084350a
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£750,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
20 Oct 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
20 Oct 2024 - 31 Mar 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode
SO14 7LY
Post Town
Southampton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ32 Southampton
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales

Local Authority
Southampton
Electoral Ward
Bargate
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-0e715422-d19c-4ae8-8ca4-043594fa683a-2024-08-14T15:18:54+01:00",
    "date": "2024-08-14T15:18:54+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-0e715422-d19c-4ae8-8ca4-043594fa683a",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "EC09/01/3096 (Proactis Reference REQ/1000184)",
        "title": "A Framework Agreement for the Provision of Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) Services",
        "description": "This procurement invites tenders from both new applicants to The Councils' Framework for the Provision of Independent Fostering Agencies (IFA) Services, or from existing providers on this framework who wish to improve their original price offers or to apply for a place on additional lots. The notice for the original establishment of the Framework Agreement was published on the 28th July 2021 (reference 2021/S 000-017949) and the amended publication dated 7th September 2021, reference 2021/S 000-022124) which read as follows: \"This procurement is for the establishment of a framework agreement for the provision of independent fostering agency services across sixteen (16) local authorities that comprise the South-Central IFA Framework consortium. This ITT is to establish a Framework Agreement between Southampton City Council (on behalf of the South-Central IFA Framework consortium) and those tenderers successful in their applications to be accepted on to the framework to enable the provision of foster care placements in accordance with the terms of the framework agreement. The consortium have the following needs from independent fostering agency placements: Foster carers for children of all ages, but particularly for older children aged 10-15 years. Foster carers who can meet higher levels of need, complexity and risk. Foster carers who can care for sibling groups - particularly large sibling groups. Foster carers who care for parent and child placements Foster carers who can care for disabled children- especially with adapted homes. Some will have complex medical needs and some may have a limited life expectancy. Foster carers who are registered for only one child to meet the need for solo placements. Foster carers who can care for Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers and with an awareness/willingness to work in partnership to meet their immediate immigration, health and educational needs. In addition, the Councils are particularly looking for local, well-matched placements, including education provision, and with commitment to the best interests of the child. Enhanced fostering care placements for children and young people with higher levels of need. The Framework is comprised of the following 4 Lots: Lot 1 (Standard Placements 0+ Years) Lot 2 (Children with Disabilities) Lot 3 (Parent and Child Placements) Lot 4 (Enhanced Fostering Placements) Providers may bid for one or more of these Lots in any combination. This is a requirement amongst some of the consortium members for foster placements that may be located with Wales. As such providers of fostering services based in Wales in addition to those in England are welcome to tender. Additional information: The procurement is to continue establishing a framework agreement with an initial term of four years with 16 months remaining. There is the option to extend the framework agreement by up to two additional twelve month periods, i.e. from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2027 and from 1st April 2027- 31st March 2028.",
        "datePublished": "2021-07-28T15:05:53+01:00",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "85311300",
            "description": "Welfare services for children and young people"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Wales",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "minValue": {
            "amount": 400000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "value": {
            "amount": 750000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure (above threshold)",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2024-10-20T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2024-10-21T00:00:00+01:00",
            "endDate": "2028-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": true
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "description": "Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e4ddb07-b32b-4bd7-aab7-80f08084350a",
                "datePublished": "2021-07-28T15:05:53+01:00",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en",
                "dateModified": "2024-08-14T15:18:54+01:00"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Tender Portal Instructions",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/2924553f-920a-4337-a81b-0a6ac898fba3",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Southampton City Council Tender Portal",
                "url": "https://www.southampton.gov.uk/business-licensing/supply-council/supply-portal"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "url": "https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/jxfb36Bw",
            "name": "Southampton City Council",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Southampton City Council",
                "scheme": "GB-SRS",
                "id": "sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/jxfb36Bw"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Civic Centre,Civic Centre Road",
                "locality": "SOUTHAMPTON",
                "postalCode": "SO147LY",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Simon Crouch",
                "email": "tendermanagement@southampton.gov.uk",
                "telephone": "023 8083 3000"
            },
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.southampton.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-SRS-sid4gov.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/jxfb36Bw",
        "name": "Southampton City Council"
    }
}