--- title: "Discretionary Assistance Fund Framework Agreement" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-035481" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-035481" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-035481.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-035481.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "WELSH GOVERNMENT" published: "2022-07-21" --- # Discretionary Assistance Fund Framework Agreement Buyer: WELSH GOVERNMENT Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-035481 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-035481) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-035481.json) ## Summary The Welsh Government is currently seeking tenders for the "Discretionary Assistance Fund Framework Agreement," focusing on general public services in Wales. This procurement process is in the active tender stage, with submissions due by 2 PM on 12th September 2022. The contract, valued up to £30 million over a potential three-year period, aims to provide critical financial assistance for individuals facing emergencies or urgent needs to maintain independent living. The procurement method employed is the open procedure, allowing a wide range of suppliers to participate. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in welfare services, including those involved in administrative support, call centre operations, and software development services. Agencies that excel in delivering community benefits and have experience in managing funds or welfare programmes would be particularly well-suited to compete for this contract. As the Welsh Government has emphasised community and social objectives, potential suppliers should also be prepared to demonstrate their commitment to these priorities in their proposals. ## Notice The UK Government's Welfare Reform Act 2012 abolished the discretionary Social Fund, which was administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and replaced parts of it (crisis loans and community care grants) with new locally based provision. From April 2013 funding for the Social Fund was devolved to the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government and to local authorities in England. The Discretionary Assistance Fund was established and has operated as the replacement scheme in Wales since 2013. The fund comprises two distinct elements: - Emergency Assistance Payments (EAP) - which provide assistance with an emergency or disaster situation when there is an immediate threat to health and well being; and - Individual Assistance Payments (IAP) - which are in place to meet an urgent identified need necessary to enable or support independent living thereby preventing the need for institutional care. Eligibility for an IAP is based upon an applicant being entitled to and in receipt of income related benefits. All IAP applications are required to be supported by a Partner from an established Partner Network comprising support and advice organisations across Wales. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The key aim of the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) is to offer payments or in kind support to enable or maintain independent living and to provide urgent assistance to people where there is an identified need to safeguard health and well being. These payments are made available to people who have no other means of meeting the immediate cost of living and are not intended to meet the cost of ongoing expenses. As such, payments from this fund are not repayable. The aim of this contract is to ensure the fund is delivered to the most financially vulnerable people in Wales. The successful Bidder will be responsible for all aspects of the management, implementation, administration and monitoring of the DAF grant scheme. Additional information: The value is GBP6m to GBP15m for the initial 3 years. 6m reflects historical spend prior to the covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis. Spend during 2018-2021 is GBP3.5m per annum the value may be less at circa GBP2m per annum. The 15m value reflects changes to Ministerial priorities in response to unknown priorities. The max value over the lifetime of the framework/ contract is GBP30m. Options: Additional call off contracts may be required during the Framework Agreement duration for contracts that may be required as a result of any change in Ministerial priorities in response to emerging policy changes, for example having to respond to possible unprecedented emergency situations, i.e Welsh Government response to flooding or other such emergencies. Renewal: The framework includes the option to extend for 1 year. The Client will have the option to award an up to 3-year term call off contract during the final year of the Framework Agreement. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019929-2022 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 21 Jul 2022 | | Submission deadline | 12 Sep 2022 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | 3 or 6 years | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £30,000,000 | | Lots value | £30,000,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | WELSH GOVERNMENT | | Locality | CARDIFF | | Post town | Cardiff | | Postcode | CF10 3NQ | | Country | Wales | | ITL 1 | TLL Wales | | ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales | | ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan | | Local authority | Cardiff | | Electoral ward | Cathays | | Westminster constituency | Cardiff South and Penarth | | Delivery location | TLL Wales | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support - 75 - Administration, defence and social security services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 72262000 - Software development services - 72263000 - Software implementation services - 75110000 - General public services - 75112000 - Administrative services for business operations - 75131000 - Government services - 79512000 - Call centre ## Release History - 21 Jul 2022 at 15:21 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019929-2022 ## Notice URLs - http://gov.wales - https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk - https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/ - https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/ - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0007 - https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=123067 ## 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-h6vhtk-035481. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-035481.json.