1. community based support services and personal care
Framework agreement
for
community based support services and personal care

2. Why a Framework Agreement?
Set out in our Interim Market Position Statement:
Personalised services based on outcomes and choice, not historic service menus, that help people live independent lives (increasingly through personal budgets)
Promoting equality of access and reducing labelling – think about people, not care groups
Reducing complexity – especially where people currently have multiple providers
Releasing creativity and supporting flexibility
Ensuring quality, a fair price and focusing scarce resources on front line services – ability to better anticipate investment levels
Building closer commissioner/provider relationships - avoids the need for a full procurement exercise each time a service is required

3. Framework agreement
Relationship between the Authority and providers with flexibility of contractual options (spot, variable volume, block)
Establishes the terms in relation to price and quality with a select list of suppliers
Services will be ‘called off’ from the framework agreement, when they are required either by call off without competition or by mini competition
The framework agreement will be awarded at ITT Stage on the basis of the most economically advantageous bids
The agreement will initially be for 2 years, with options to renew annually for a further 2 years

4. Generic services
The framework agreement will be generic and not based on care groups
Providers will need to form consortia or contracting partnerships or demonstrate that they can deliver generic services
Consortium
Formal legal entity owned by two or more providers.
Contracting partnerships
Where a lead provider works with one or more providers to form a contracting partnership

5. ‘Lots’ for the framework
Providers can bid for one or more lots
Community-based support services –
non-CQC regulated
Regulated community-based support (including personal care) – CQC regulated
Personal care – CQC regulated

6. Indicative zones
There will be 7 indicative geographical zones across the county at PQQ stage
Providers will indicate their interest
We will then finalise the zones to ensure effective coverage prior to Invitation To Tender
Providers will be required to provide services anywhere in the zones they select

7. Indicative Zones

8. Qualities of selected providers
The county intends to work closely with providers that:
Are flexible and adaptable
Take a person centred approach
Demonstrate innovative ways of working
Achieve agreed outcomes for individuals
Maximise resources available to an individual
Operate generically
Have a robust business model

9. Process & timetable Early January PQQ launched = ability to deliver
The service specification and FAQs will be available at the same time
There will be market information sessions two weeks after the PQQ is launched
Providers will need to register with ProContract
The PQQ process will last 30 days (approx 4 Feb)
PQQ Evaluation completed by 24 Feb and successful provider informed
Invitation to Tender launched with deadline of receipt of 15 April
Go Live – June/July

10. Transition Strategy New Provider/Part of Framework
Current Provider/Part of Framework
Negotiation re: current business
Current Provider/Not part of Framework but services covered by it
Negotiate transfer of business over first year: variable pace review/reassessment
Current Provider/Not part of Framework but services not covered by it
No change as a result of this process
New Provider/Part of Framework
New business from Day 1; transfer of business as above