--- title: "External Foster Care Services Framework Re-opening - Existing Providers" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-801e9af1-3079-4458-aba9-0f9d9bd6f066" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-801e9af1-3079-4458-aba9-0f9d9bd6f066" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-801e9af1-3079-4458-aba9-0f9d9bd6f066.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-801e9af1-3079-4458-aba9-0f9d9bd6f066.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2024-11-06" --- # External Foster Care Services Framework Re-opening - Existing Providers Buyer: ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-801e9af1-3079-4458-aba9-0f9d9bd6f066 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-801e9af1-3079-4458-aba9-0f9d9bd6f066) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-801e9af1-3079-4458-aba9-0f9d9bd6f066.json) ## Summary Essex County Council and Southend City Council are re-opening the framework agreement for External Foster Care Services, as stated in the tender titled "External Foster Care Services Framework Re-opening - Existing Providers". The procurement, falling under the social work and related services category, takes place in the United Kingdom and uses an open procedure above the threshold. The tender process began on 6th November 2024, and interested parties must submit their applications by 6th December 2024. The contract will commence on 10th March 2025 and will run until 10th November 2026, with a total value of £39,200,000. The procurement is currently active and specifically encourages participation from SMEs and VCSEs (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises). This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in social work and foster care services to secure long-term contracts with Essex County Council and Southend City Council. The framework agreement's structure allows existing Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) to confirm or update their tender responses, including pricing changes, and to participate in additional lots. Businesses that can provide flexible, high-quality foster care services under specified terms and conditions will find this tender particularly beneficial. It is an excellent opportunity for SMEs and VCSEs looking to enhance their market presence and expand their service offerings in the local government sector. ## Notice Essex County Council and Southend City Council are re-opening the framework agreement for External Foster Care Services. This Framework Agreement sets out the procedure for Placements, the terms and conditions for the provision of the Services and the obligations of a Provider under this Framework Agreement. Existing IFAs, who are currently on the framework agreement, will be required to confirm either that there has been no change to its tender response or to confirm what changes have occurred since its tender response (including any changes to pricing - the Council may, at its sole discretion, place a maximum cap on any annual re-pricing which may be linked to the Consumer Price Index) and any changes will be subject to evaluation in accordance with the published criteria. Existing IFAs also have the opportunity to enter lots they are not currently apart of. It is important to note that despite entering the framework agreement, the Customers shall have no obligation to make placements with any particular IFA under this Framework Agreement and this Framework Agreement is not a commitment or guarantee from the Customers to procure any Services or any specific volume of Services from any particular IFA. Instead, the Customers shall only be committed under the terms of a valid and binding Individual Placement Agreement formed pursuant to this Framework Agreement. Each Individual Placement Agreement shall be an independent contract in its own right and therefore shall survive termination or expiry of this Framework Agreement with the relevant provisions of this Framework Agreement surviving as necessary until the expiry or earlier termination of any such Individual Placement Agreements. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/55668cc0-f42b-4681-9358-f1ffbb5fb8c6 | | 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 | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 6 Nov 2024 | | Submission deadline | 6 Dec 2024 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 10 Mar 2025 - 10 Nov 2026 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £39,200,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | CHELMSFORD | | Post town | Chelmsford | | Postcode | CM1 1QH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex | | ITL 3 | TLH36 Heart of Essex | | Local authority | Chelmsford | | Electoral ward | Moulsham and Central | | Westminster constituency | Chelmsford | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85300000 - Social work and related services ## Release History - 6 Nov 2024 at 16:42 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/55668cc0-f42b-4681-9358-f1ffbb5fb8c6 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/55668cc0-f42b-4681-9358-f1ffbb5fb8c6 6th November 2024 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://www.essex.gov.uk/ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-801e9af1-3079-4458-aba9-0f9d9bd6f066. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-801e9af1-3079-4458-aba9-0f9d9bd6f066.json.