Civic betterment and community facility support services

Tender description

Croydon Council welcomes bids from voluntary and community sector organisations who can deliver projects and services in the borough, which will contribute to one of Croydon’s 5 outcome priorities. We are looking to support projects which will deliver positive change and benefits for individuals or communities within Croydon. The 5 outcome priorities include: Outcome 1: people live long, healthy, happy and independent lives; Outcome 2: our children and young people thrive and reach their full potential; Outcome 3: access to homes and prevention of homelessness; Outcome 4: everyone feels safer in their street, neighbourhood and home; Outcome 5: everybody has the opportunity to work and build their career. This procurement falls within the ‘light touch regime’ applicable to the procurement of contracts for social and other specific services, as set out in Regulations 74 to 76 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ('Regulations'). The Council is orientating this procurement towards the open procedure as described in regulations but using a ‘light touch’ approach. The Council does not hold itself bound by the regulations except to the extent that they apply to the light touch regime as set out in Regulations 74 to 76 of the regulations. In Croydon we are lucky enough to have one of the largest VCS in London. The sector here is strong, vibrant and diverse and is a key player in delivering services and support to some of Croydon’s most vulnerable residents. VCS groups and organisations are able to reach places and people that statutory agencies often cannot and have a greater ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the community. To ensure the sector is able to continue playing this role, the Council has committed to investing 2 600 000 GBP per annum for up to 3 years through the Community Fund. Through the outcomes programme, the Council are looking to fund bids which demonstrate the following commissioning principles: — Does the bid involve collaboration with other VCS groups? — Is it tackling a particular need in a locality? — Does it focus on prevention, early identification and intervention? — Does it support one or more of the priority outcomes? — Is it evidence based? — Is it innovative? This outcomes prospectus provides information on the key outcome themes which the Council wants to commission, as well as a guide on how to apply and how bids will be evaluated. Tender applications are for bids over 15 000 GBP per year. A guide maximum bid value is 40 000 GBP per year. However the Council reserves the right to award contracts above this sum to tender applications which include: — extensive collaboration arrangements between 3 or more organisation and where measures have been taken to ensure no duplication with other VCS organisations, — strong evidence of a high level of need across the borough and an evidence based service which responds to this need and has a track record of delivering positive impact for residents, — a proposal which contributes to at least 3 priority outcomes or sub-outcomes, — very strong quantifiable social value offer for Croydon, — draws upon alternative funding streams to ensure VFM. Organisations submitting bids in excess of 40 000 GBP will need to assure themselves that they can demonstrate the above criteria. Failure to do so will result in the Council disqualifying the tender application as there will be no negotiation process.