This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

29 Jun 2022 at 15:11

Tender

14 Jan 2022 at 15:12

Summary of the contracting process

The Lancashire County Council is procuring a Flexible Agreement for the provision of Fostering Agency Placements, with an estimated total value between £375,000,000 and £415,000,000. This open procedure tender is currently in the active stage, allowing interested providers to apply until the initial application deadline, which is expected to be detailed within the Invitation to Participate (ITP) available on the Council's eTendering portal. The procurement, which is set to establish an approved list of Independent Foster Care Providers, aims to influence service delivery prioritising children from collaborating councils in the geographical areas of Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cumbria, and Lancashire over a duration of 9 years.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in health and social care services, especially those specialising in foster care placements and support services. Companies that would be well-suited to compete include both small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as larger organisations with relevant accreditations and experience in regulated fostering activities. Businesses should be prepared to meet the specific criteria set forth in the procurement documents, particularly those concerning quality and pricing, to enhance their chances of successfully joining this substantial agreement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Flexible Agreement for the provision of Fostering Agency Placements

Notice Description

Lancashire County Council (the Council) are leading on the procurement of an open Flexible Agreement for the Provision of Fostering Agency Placements. Since 2019 Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackpool Council, Cumbria County Council and Lancashire County Council (BBLC) have been collaborating as part of a Department of Education funded project to improve the sufficiency of foster care placements across the authorities. By working together, the four Contracting Bodies have developed the Flexible Agreement which this procurement intends to establish, with the aim to influence the behaviour of these agencies in order to prioritise the Children from the four Contracting Bodies within the combined authorities' geographical footprint. The Flexible Agreement will be a list of approved Independent Foster Care Providers. It is intended that the Flexible Agreement will remain effect for 9 years, Service Contracts can be awarded as call-off contracts as detailed within the Invitation to Participate (ITP). This procurement procedure is considered to be subject to the Light Touch Regime under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Providers can apply to join the Flexible Agreement, if Applicants satisfy the required criteria. The Flexible Agreement will be open for new Applications during the initial Application phase. Once the initial Application deadline has passed (see ITP for dates), Providers can apply to join every three years throughout the term. (See the Council's eTendering portal iSupplier and ITP for dates). Following an evaluation process, applicants will receive an outcome notification. Successful Applicants will be required to sign a Flexible Agreement Page 4 to 12 and will be appointed as a provider. Lancashire County Council's Flexible Agreement may be used by Contracting Authorities listed below and any successor council as defined in The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Transfer of Functions, Property, Rights and Liabilities) Regulations 2008 to the Contracting Authorities. * Cumbria County Council * Blackpool Council * Blackburn with Darwen Council Please note that Cumbria County Council is currently undergoing a local government reorganisation and Government has announced that Cumbria County Council is to be replaced by two unitary authorities with effect form 01 April 2023. Therefore, Cumbria County Council will be entitled to novate the Flexible Agreement for the provision of Fostering Agency Placements to any successor council. The Flexible Agreement will be split into the following Lots: * Lot 1 Mainstream Foster Care * Lot 2 Enhanced Foster Care * Lot 3 Step Down Foster Care Applicants must be successful in Lot 1 to be eligible for Lot 2 and/or Lot 3. Estimated total value up to PS375,000,000 - PS415,000,000.

Lot Information

Lot 1 Mainstream Foster Care

Lot 1 Standard Foster Care. The provision of foster care placements for children and young people aged 0-4, 5-10, 11-15, 16+ and Parent and Child placements Additional information: Quality and Price criteria as per the published tender documents https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/flexible-agreement-for-the-provision-of-fostering-agency-placements/

Lot 2 Enhanced Foster Care

Lot 2 Enhanced Foster Care. The provision of foster care placements and support services for children and young people with enhanced needs Additional information: Quality and Price criteria as per the published evaluation criteria https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/flexible-agreement-for-the-provision-of-fostering-agency-placements/

Lot 3 Step Down into Foster Care

Lot 3 Step Down into Foster Care. The provision of foster care placements and support services for children and young people who are placed within Residential Care or on a trajectory to be placed within Residential Care. Additional information: Quality and Price criteria as per the published tender documents https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/flexible-agreement-for-the-provision-of-fostering-agency-placements/

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-030b4b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017779-2022
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£415,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jun 20224 years ago
Submission Deadline
4 May 20315 years to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Jun 20224 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Lancashire County 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
PRESTON
Postcode
PR1 8XJ
Postcode Area
Preston
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD4 Lancashire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD45 Mid Lancashire
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)

Local Authority
Preston
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Preston

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
31
Supplier Names

ACORN HOUSE FOSTERING SERVICES

ACTIVE CARE SOLUTIONS LTD

ALPHA PLUS FOSTERING LTD

CAPSTONE FOSTER CARE (NORTH) LTD

CARITAS CARE LTD

CHILD ACTION NORTHWEST

COMMUNITY FOSTER CARE

COMPASS COMMUNITY LTD

CUFFE & LACEY ASSOCIATES LTD

EXCEL FOSTERING LTD

FAMILY CARE ASSOCIATES LTD

FAMILY FOSTERCARE LTD

FIVE RIVERS CHILD CARE LTD - SAFEHOUSES

FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES LTD

FOSTERING CHANGES LIFE

FOSTERING PEOPLE LTD

FOSTERING SOLUTIONS LTD

FUSION FOSTERING LTD

LORIMER FOSTER SERVICES

NATIONAL FOSTERING AGENCY

OLIVE BRANCH FOSTERING

ORANGE GROVE FOSTERCARE LTD

PARALLEL PARENTS LTD

PEOPLE WHO FOSTER

SWIIS FOSTER CARE LTD

THE ADOLESCENT & CHILDRENS TRUST

THE FOSTER CARE CO-OPERATIVE LTD

THREE CIRCLES FOSTERING LTD

TOGETHER TRUST

TUTIS FOSTER CARE

UK FOSTERING LTD

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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