Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Essex County Council
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
UK
Contact person: Ms Rachel Horne
Telephone: +44 3330322307
E-mail: rachel.horne@essex.gov.uk
NUTS: UKH3
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.essex.gov.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.essex.gov.uk/
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
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
Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Infrastructure across Essex
Reference number: DN720082
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Council is seeking to commission provider(s) to develop and maintain a Universal Standard Support Offer to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Essex. The Council is also seeking to commission provider(s) to deliver an approach to support System Volunteering.
As part of the Council's preparatory work to inform the commissioning intentions for this project, we are holding an online Market Engagement event on Wednesday 15th May 2024 between 14:00 to 15:30. If you wish to attend, please book a maximum of two places per organisation by emailing strengthening.communities@essex.gov.uk.
Prospective bidders are advised that the Council will finalise the scope of the forthcoming procurement opportunity following the conclusion of the market engagement stage and reserves the right to amend the scope of this service accordingly.
For the avoidance of any further doubt, please be advised that any dates for the proposed procurement opportunity are provided for indicative purposes only and the Council reserves the right to amend this information following confirmation of the procurement timetable for this project. Full details of the structure of this procurement and associated timetable will be detailed within the corresponding Contract Notice in due course.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
450 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Universal Standard Support Offer (USSO)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
98133100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKH3
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council is seeking to is commission provider(s) to develop and maintain a Universal Standard Support Offer (USSO) to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Essex that allows users to self-assess and directs them to relevant, up to date and accessible business and compliance advice. The proposed contract commencement date is 1st October 2024 until 31st March 2031 with an indicative budget of £75,000 per annum and a break clause at 31st March 2028, subject to governance approval. However, prospective bidders are advised that the Council will finalise the scope of the forthcoming procurement opportunity following the conclusion of the market engagement stage and reserves the right to amend the scope of this service accordingly. For the avoidance of any further doubt, please be advised that the inclusion of lots within this PIN are provided for indicative purposes only due to the requirements of the online form and remain subject to confirmation by the Council.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
System Volunteering
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
98133100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKH3
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council is looking to commission provider(s) to deliver an approach to support System Volunteering across Essex that connects up disparate programmes of volunteering, embracing digital technology and offering diverse volunteering opportunities that empower residents to participate.
The proposed contract commencement date is 1st October 2024 until 31st March 2031 with an indicative budget of £75,000 per annum and a break clause at 31st March 2028, subject to governance approval. In addition, the Council understands that there may be scope for additional funding from system partners of up to 15%, although this matter remains subject to final confirmation .
Prospective bidders are advised that the Council will finalise the scope of the forthcoming procurement opportunity including but not limited to the final budgetary position following the conclusion of the market engagement stage and reserves the right to amend the scope of this service accordingly. For the avoidance of any further doubt, please be advised that the inclusion of lots within this PIN are provided for indicative purposes only due to the requirements of the online form and remain subject to confirmation by the Council.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
31/05/2024
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Prospective bidders are advised that the Council will finalise the scope of the forthcoming procurement opportunity following the conclusion of the market engagement stage and reserves the right to amend the scope of this service accordingly. For the avoidance of any further doubt, please be advised that the inclusion of any lots within this PIN are provided for indicative purposes only due to the requirements of the online form and remain subject to confirmation by the Council. Likewise, the inclusion of any budgetary information and dates for the proposed procurement opportunity are provided for indicative purposes only and the Council reserves the right to amend this information following the conclusion of the respective internal governance and confirmation of the procurement timetable for this project. Full details of the structure of this procurement, the associated timetable and agreed budget will be specified in the corresponding Contract Notice in due course.
In relation to the geographical scope and potential access to the service from local partner organisations, please note that the main place of performance will be within the administrative boundaries of Essex (excluding the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock). In addition, this service will also be open to the following classification of users: NHS Healthcare (including Integrated Care Systems) both within the administrative boundaries of Essex and cross-boundary organisations.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
01/05/2024