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United Kingdom1917 days leftOpen

Flexible Agreement for the provision of Fostering Agency Placements

Tender Overview

LOCATION

Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom

VALUE

£415,000,000

DEADLINE

May 04, 2031 at 00:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

85000000

REFERENCE

001202-2022

Project Timeline

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Contact Information

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View Original

Original Tender 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 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 £375,000,000 - £415,000,000. See invitation to participate for full requirements, particularly in regard to requirements concerning: insurance, financial ratios, consortia requirements, mandatory and discretionary exclusion criteria, references, past performance/experience, registered households and quality and price criteria. How to Apply To participate and join the Flexible Agreement, please read all documents listed below. Applicants must complete all the required documents (as stated in the ITP) and must be returned via the iSupplier portal: www.lancashire.gov.uk/isupplier under RFQ 15314114. All aspects (documents/attachments/responses) of the application can and must be submitted via the iSupplier portal. The Council will not accept email or hard copy/paper applications in relation to this process and you must submit your application electronically via the iSupplier portal. All instructions on how to apply to join the Flexible Agreement, evaluation criteria terms and conditions and documents to be returned can be found on following webpage: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/flexible-agreement-for-the-provision-of-fostering-agency-placements/
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MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • Applicants must meet the mandatory exclusion criteria as detailed in the Invitation to Participate (ITP).
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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicants must satisfy the required criteria to join the Flexible Agreement.
  • Applicants must be successful in Lot 1 (Mainstream Foster Care) to be eligible for Lot 2 (Enhanced Foster Care) and/or Lot 3 (Step Down Foster Care).
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TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicants must demonstrate past performance and experience in providing fostering agency placements.
  • Applicants must provide details regarding registered households.
  • Applicants must be capable of providing services for Lot 1 (Mainstream Foster Care).
  • Applicants must be capable of providing services for Lot 2 (Enhanced Foster Care), if applying for this lot.
  • Applicants must be capable of providing services for Lot 3 (Step Down Foster Care), if applying for this lot.
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FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicants must meet the insurance requirements as detailed in the Invitation to Participate (ITP).
  • Applicants must meet the financial ratio requirements as detailed in the Invitation to Participate (ITP).
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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicants must read all documents listed in the Invitation to Participate (ITP).
  • Applicants must complete all required documents as stated in the ITP.
  • All application documents, attachments, and responses must be submitted electronically via the iSupplier portal (www.lancashire.gov.uk/isupplier) under RFQ 15314114.
  • Email or hard copy/paper applications will not be accepted.
  • Applicants must adhere to consortia requirements as detailed in the ITP, if applicable.
  • Applicants must provide references as detailed in the ITP.
  • Applicants must provide responses to quality and price criteria as detailed in the ITP.
  • Applications can be submitted during the initial application phase (dates in ITP).
  • After the initial deadline, applications can be submitted every three years throughout the 9-year term (dates in ITP and iSupplier portal).
  • Successful applicants will be required to sign a Flexible Agreement.

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PDF
Official PDF Version
PDF001202-2022_official.pdf
Summary:
This contract notice announces an open Flexible Agreement for Fostering Agency Placements for multiple UK councils, detailing the procurement scope, lot structure (Lot 1 required for Lots 2/3), and directing providers to the eTendering portal for full application requirements and qualification criteria.

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75
Good

Tender Quality Score

This tender establishes a comprehensive flexible agreement for fostering agency placements, demonstrating good legal compliance and fairness through its open, long-term structure and e-procurement. While clear in its overall scope, detailed requirements and evaluation criteria are largely deferred to external documents.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance75/100

The tender clearly defines the open procedure under the Light Touch Regime of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. CPV codes are appropriate, and the exceptionally long submission deadline ensures ample time. No disputes or suspensions are noted.

Clarity80/100

The tender's description of the flexible agreement, collaboration, and lot structure is clear. Requirements are well-categorized, but specific details for evaluation criteria, insurance, and financial ratios are consistently referred to the Invitation to Participate (ITP), reducing standalone clarity.

•Specific evaluation criteria not detailed in the notice
Completeness70/100

Basic information, estimated value, duration, and location are fully provided. However, the full granular details of all requirements, including specific evaluation criteria, are not present in the provided text, relying on external documents for comprehensive information.

•Detailed requirements and evaluation criteria are not fully present in the notice
Fairness85/100

Fairness is high due to the disclosed value, exceptionally long submission deadline, and the flexible agreement's rolling admission process every three years. E-procurement is mandated, ensuring equal access. Requirements appear generic and not tailored.

Practicality65/100

Electronic submission is fully supported via a dedicated portal, and direct URLs for documents are provided. The duration of the framework is clear. However, the reliance on external documents for all detailed requirements adds a layer of navigation for applicants.

•All detailed requirements are offloaded to external portals/documents
Data Consistency90/100

All key fields are populated, and there are no indicated suspensions or disputes. Dates, including the long submission deadline and contract duration, are logical and consistent with the flexible agreement model. The value is consistently stated.

Sustainability50/100

The tender's core service, fostering agency placements, is inherently social. However, the documentation does not explicitly include additional green procurement criteria, social clauses beyond the service itself, or an innovation focus.

•No explicit green procurement criteria
•No explicit innovation focus

Strengths

Clear description of the flexible agreement and collaboration
Exceptionally long submission deadline and rolling admissions promoting market access
Mandatory e-procurement for submission
High estimated value indicating significant opportunity
Well-defined procedure type and legal basis

Concerns

Specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the initial notice
Reliance on external documents (ITP, iSupplier portal) for all granular requirements
Lack of explicit green procurement or innovation criteria

Recommendations

1. Ensure all key evaluation criteria are clearly summarized or linked directly within the primary tender notice for immediate transparency.
2. Consolidate or provide a clearer roadmap to all required documents and information to minimize applicant navigation.
3. Consider incorporating explicit sustainability (environmental and social) and innovation clauses where appropriate for future iterations.

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Tender Quality Score
75/ 100 · Good
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