Reopening (1) of the Flexible Framework for Care at Home and Housing Support Services
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Renfrewshire Council
Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1JB
shona.brydson@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3003000300
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM83 – Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
Buyer’s address
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Reopening (1) of the Flexible Framework for Care at Home and Housing Support Services
II.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85000000 – Health and social work services
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Renfrewshire Council has an existing Flexible Framework (“framework”) for the provision of Care at Home and Housing Support Services under the direction of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP).
The framework allows RHSCP to purchase services to support (predominantly older) people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible with the care and support they need being tailored to them, provided in a tailored and responsive manner. There may also be the occasional requirement for a Renfrewshire Council Children’s Services to arrange support services for a child.
The Service is delivered 24 hours per day, 52 weeks per year including public holidays. The size of each individual package of care varies and is dependent on the individual’s assessed needs and outcomes.
As the services provided by this framework fall within the ‘Social and Other Specific Services’ category, and it is subject to the procurement regimes set out in section 7, Social and Other Specific Services, both of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a flexible approach was designed which allows “new entrants” to apply to be on the framework throughout the duration, as and when determined by RHSCP.
RHSCP now wish to reopen the framework to new entrants, to ensure capacity to deliver services across Renfrewshire. The process followed will be the same process used to appoint the original providers. Any tenderer bidding for appointment to the framework will be required to satisfy the same minimum criteria as those awarded a place under the original tender process.
INTERESTED PARTIES MUST READ THE Invitation to Tender document FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS FRAMEWORK.
– Technical and Professional Ability (2 examples of previous experience of delivering similar services. These MUST be within the last 3 years and demonstrate relevant experience and capacity);
– Care Inspectorate Requirements (Registered to deliver a Combined Support Service – Care at Home and a Housing Support Service (or ongoing application for Combined Service);
– Care Inspectorate minimum Quality Grade of 3 for all key questions;
– SSSC Registration and PVG Checks;
– Insurance Requirements;
– Financial Standing Requirements;
– Health and Safety Requirements;
– Cyber Security Requirements.
TENDERERS MUST MEET THE MINIMUM CRITERIA, OTHERWISE THEIR SUBMISSION WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM EVALUATION AND THEY WILL NOT BE APPOINTED TO THE FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK.
Any Tenderer who does not meet the minimum requirements will not be eligible for appointment to the Flexible Framework but may participate in any future reopening of the Flexible Framework when these requirements have been met.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85320000 – Social services
- 85310000 – Social work services
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM83 – Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
Main site or place of performance
Renfrewshire
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
As the services provided by this framework fall within the ‘Social and Other Specific Services’ category, and it is subject to the procurement regimes set out in section 7, Social and Other Specific Services, both of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a flexible approach was designed which allows “new entrants” to apply to be on the framework throughout the duration, as and when determined by RHSCP.
RHSCP now wish to reopen the framework to new entrants, to ensure capacity to deliver services across Renfrewshire. The process followed will be the same process used to appoint the original providers. Any tenderer bidding for appointment to the framework will be required to satisfy the same minimum criteria as those awarded a place under the original tender process.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion – Name: Technical Questions / Weighting: 90%
Quality criterion – Name: Community Benefits / Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion – Name: Fair Working Practices / Weighting: 5%
Price – Weighting: Pass/Fail
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £160,000,000
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 April 2027
End date
30 April 2032
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The Flexible Framework duration is 4 years from the Commencement Date (01 May 2025) with the option to extend for up to 12 months on 3 occasions – this is the period of contract for the entire Flexible Framework. It is anticipated that the Reopening (1) Appointment Date will be 01 April 2027 – anticipated to expire on the 30 April 2029; or should all extension options be taken, 30 April 2032
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
II.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
II.2.14) Additional information
TENDERERS MUST MEET THE MINIMUM CRITERIA, OTHERWISE THEIR SUBMISSION WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM EVALUATION AND THEY WILL NOT BE APPOINTED TO THE FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK.
The Hourly Rate the Council shall pay under the Flexible Framework for the provision of Services is 25.41GBP. Tenderers must confirm acceptance of this rate as per the Commercial Envelope on the PCS-T system.
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical informationSection III. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
List and brief description of conditions:
Mandatory Requirement – Care Inspectorate Registration and Grades
1 Tenderers must be registered with the Care Inspectorate to deliver a Support Service – Care at Home for the Service they are tendering to be on the Flexible Framework.
– All Services being tendered to be on the Flexible Framework must have a minimum Quality Grade of 3 for all key questions.
2 Tenderers must also be registered to deliver a Housing Support Service as a combined service, or evidence an ongoing application with the Care Inspectorate to do so.
– Where a Tenderer DOES have the appropriate combined Housing Support Service registration, the combined service being tendered to be on the Flexible Framework must have a minimum Quality Grade of 3 for all key questions.
– Where a Tenderer DOES NOT have the appropriate combined Housing Support Service registration, they must evidence a live and ongoing application for this, and confirm understanding that NO APPOINTMENT TO THE FRAMEWORK WILL BE MADE until evidence of the completed application has been submitted to the Council.
Any Tenderer who does not meet the requirement prior to the Tender Deadline will not be eligible to join; however, they may participate in a future reopening of the Flexible Framework once these requirements have been met
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria
List and brief description of selection criteria:
The Council would expect Tenderers to have a minimum Dun & Bradstreet Failure Score of 20. Where a Tenderer’s D&B Failure Score is below this minimum threshold or is not available, the Tenderer will be required to provide supporting documentary evidence to demonstrate financial stability to the satisfaction of the Council.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
The minimum insurances required to obtain a place on the Flexible Framework are detailed in Section V1.3 of this Contract Notice.
three.1.3) Technical and professional abilityIII.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria
As per Part 4C: Services of the SPD, Tenderers must provide 2 examples that demonstrates experience that is relevant to this procurement exercise. Examples should be from within the last 3 years and must include delivery of Services which are registered with the Care Inspectorate as a Support Service – Care at Home, and where applicable, registered with the Care Inspectorate to deliver a Housing Support Service. The examples must also have Care Inspectorate Quality Grades of 3 or above for all key questions in the Care Inspectorate quality indicator framework.
Tenderers must detail the Tenderer’s role in delivering the contracts including, if relevant, any instances where the Tenderer has been able to demonstrate added value or innovative solutions.
Tenderers must demonstrate their previous experience in delivering services which ensure capacity and capability to deliver the required Renfrewshire Council Services. Tenderers must demonstrate experience of appropriately skilled and qualified staff providing support for people with varying needs.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
Technical Experience
Providers must provide 2 examples of previous experience in delivering similar services – as a Care Inspectorate registered Support Service – Care at Home, and as appropriate a Housing Support Service and have minimum quality grades of 3 for key questions in the Care Inspectorate quality indicator framework.
Quality management policy required.
Providers must have a Health and Safety Policy which includes risk assessments
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.1) Information about a particular professionIII.2.1) Information about a particular profession
Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession
Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision
Staff delivering the Service must be SSSC registered.
Staff must be PVG checked.
Provider’s must be registered with the Care Inspectorate as outlined in III.1 Conditions for participation (III.1.1 Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers) and the Invitation to Tender.
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Providers must meet and uphold all the required criteria listed for the duration of the Flexible Framework and Individual Service Contracts called off from the Flexible Framework.
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV. Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:
This requirement is being tendered under the regulations applicable for Social and Other Specific Services of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The Council is reopening the Flexible Framework for New Entrants to be added. New Entrants will be subject to the same minimum requirements as those who responded to the initial Contract Notice establishing the Flexible Framework.
IV.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2026/S 000-061335
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
30 October 2026
Local time
12:00pm
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Tender must be valid until: 29 March 2027
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
30 October 2026
Local time
12:30pm
Section six. Complementary informationSection VI. Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
Minimum Requirements – Insurance
All Tenderers will be required to evidence the following insurances (full details are listed within the Invitation to Tender).
i) Public Liability To a minimum indemnity limit of 10,000,000GBP each and every claim. Liability must not exclude abuse and/or molestation cover.
ii) Employers’ Liability To a minimum indemnity limit of 10,000,000GBP each and every claim.
iii) Statutory Third-Party Motor Vehicle Liability Where a vehicle is used in delivery of the Service, statutory third-party motor vehicle cover, OR where there is no company fleet and employees use their own vehicles instead, a letter signed by a person of appropriate authority confirming that the provider has ongoing arrangements in place.
iv) Professional Indemnity Where a Provider is employing any Staff who are professionally qualified in relation to delivery of Services, to a minimum indemnity of 2,000,000GBP any one incident (without limit to the number of incidents), OR in the aggregate, and where in the aggregate, a minimum of one automatic reinstatement of the limit in any one period of insurance OR, where no automatic reinstatement is available, 5,000,000GBP in the annual aggregate.
Where a Services include the provision of care and treatment (including, but not limited to where the Service involves the administration of medicines) the Provider shall as a minimum, effect and maintain one of the following insurances and minimum levels of cover:
(a) A care and treatment extension to the existing public liability policy, to a minimum indemnity limit of 5,000,000GBP; (without limit to the number of incidents) OR, in the aggregate, and where in the aggregate, a minimum of one automatic reinstatement of the limit in any 1 period of insurance OR, where no automatic reinstatement is available, 10,000,000GBP in the annual aggregate.
(b) Where applicable, Medical Malpractice Liability Policy to a minimum indemnity limit of 5,000,000GBP any one incident (without limit to the number of incidents) OR, in the aggregate and where in the aggregate, a minimum of one automatic reinstatement of the limit in any one period of insurance OR, where no automatic reinstatement is available, 10,000,000GBP in the annual aggregate.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 32358. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:
The nature of the Services do not align with Subcontracting
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
The approach to Community Benefits within the Flexible Framework will be linked to cumulative annual spend (of ISCs) with a Provider following award of the Flexible Framework. As part of the Tender Submission for the Flexible Framework, Tenderers will be required to demonstrate their commitment to delivering Community Benefits throughout the Flexible Framework. Throughout the Flexible Framework when the Council purchases Services, it will earn Community Benefit points. The number of points earned will correlate to the level of cumulative spend for the previous 12 months. The Council will then agree with the Provider the Community Benefits to be delivered and timescales for this, using the Council’s Community Benefits Outcome Menu as the basis for discussion/agreement of Community Benefits to be delivered.
(SC Ref:843248)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
See VI.4.3 below
See VI.4.3 below
Country
United Kingdom
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
An economic operator that suffers or risks suffering, loss or damage attributable to breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI2015/446, as amended) may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session in accordance with Regulation 88 of the 2015 Regulations.
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