Administration, defence and social security services

Tender description

As part of the Mayor’s ‘Life off the Streets’ programme, Transport For London (TfL), on behalf of the Greater London Authority (GLA), gives early notice of an upcoming opportunity for an immediate access assessment and short-term accommodation service for people sleeping rough in London. Delivery of the service is anticipated to commence on 1.10.2020. Please note that at this stage there is no guarantee this early notice will lead to procurement activities for this requirement. This will be a building-based service which offers immediate access from the streets to shelter, assessment and support. The service will aim to help people who: (a) are aged 18 and over; and (b) are currently sleeping rough in Greater London; and (c) have 2 or more Bedded Down Street Contacts on the Chain system (and so are not eligible for existing pan-London immediate-access services such as Somewhere Safe to Stay and No Second Night Out hubs); and (d) do not have an identified option of accommodation available to them locally. The service will provide support to rough sleepers who are likely to be able to access other suitable accommodation options, within a short period of time, after entering the service. Access should be through referral only and via commissioned outreach teams (referrals also accepted directly with people who meet the above criteria). The specific model and approach will be for the bidding organisation to propose but is expected to focus on advocacy and the use of existing legislation such as the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Care Act 2014. Activities should include: — provision of expert assessment and support planning, — support to obtain documentation and access welfare benefits, — advocacy for clients with other service providers and local authorities, — development of good partnerships with external partners, particularly local authorities and their supported housing pathways. The maximum capacity of the service at any one time will not be specified, instead the procurement will be outcomes-based. The successful bid will target supporting at least 300 people per annum (with at least 80 % moving-on positively and 80 % not returning to rough sleeping). The bidding organisation will be required to source and provide appropriate site(s) by the commencement date. Any sites/buildings will: — provide appropriate short-term accommodation, such as self-contained rooms with shared facilities (not camp beds or floorspace), — be staffed 24/7, — provide a safe, welcoming and psychologically informed environment, — be within Greater London and have regard to the client group’s needs and strategic considerations such as location of other services, — have the appropriate planning permissions, — conform to all relevant building and safety legislation. It is anticipated that models may include an element of rental income, however the authority is keen to ensure that this is not a barrier to appropriate levels of throughput and that provision is made to ensure that a portion of spaces (to be agreed) are accessible regardless of welfare payments. The bidding organisation will also provide staffing at safe levels to ensure good site management, risk management and appropriate ratios of staff to clients to allow for effective support and casework for all clients. Staff teams will ideally include occupational therapists, mental health and substance misuse experts, etc. The initial contract will have a value of up to three-million pounds (3 000 000 GBP) for a term of 3 years, with possible extension options. Interested bidders should log an expression of interest at https://procontract.due-north.com/Procurer/Advert/AdvertSummary?projectId=3d3a23a0-45eb-e911-80fa-005056b64545&projectStepId=2a8aeca1-46eb-e911-80fa-005056b64545 Any procurement will be carried out strictly in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulation 2015 (or any superseding regulation) and will be carried out electronically using the TfL eTendering portal. TfL will manage this process in an open and transparent manner to maximise the possible benefits. Direct or indirect canvassing of any GLA or TfL employee or agent by any company concerning this requirement or any attempt to procure information from any TfL Employee or agent concerning this PIN may result in the disqualification of the company from consideration of any future procurement activity. Should a procurement exercise follow this PIN, an OJEU contract notice will be issued using the TfL eTendering portal, ProContract, accessible via the following link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Register