HCC - 05/23 - Pre-Procurement Market Engagement (PPME) for the Provision of Dog Therapy Services provided by HCC Staff and their Pet to People the Council Supports

Tender description

The use of dogs within care provision in the UK is relatively well established, and there are now many examples of the therapeutic value of dog therapy. Recognising the potential of animal-based therapies, in 2017 HCC launched its Hertfordshire Taking the Lead (HTTL) programme in partnership with the charity Dogs for Good. The programme halted in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the projects operational at this time was HCC’s Staff Dogs Volunteering Scheme (the Scheme). This scheme supported assessed HCC staff and their trained pet dog to visit HCC establishments such as SEND schools and day centres. The rationale behind this scheme was for approved HCC staff and their dog to provide a cost-neutral resource to HCC service areas that could be used to complement existing service provision. The Council now wishes to re-establish the HCC Staff Dogs Volunteering Scheme within a framework that supports its long-term viability. Lot 1: In order to participate in this PPME, organisations must submit their completed Supplier Questionnaire, together with any supporting documents, through the In-Tend system by the return deadline of 12.00 Noon 16th June 2023Please make sure that you have submitted your Supplier Questionnaire following the instructions above. The Council will not be held accountable for any errors made by an organisation in submitting their Supplier Questionnaire. The Council will consider the feedback received to help inform the Council’s options and further decision making. For the avoidance of doubt, this stage of the project is not part of a formal procurement process, and the Council is not committing, at this stage, to carrying out such a process.