Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Infrastructure across Essex

Tender 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. Lot 1: Universal Standard Support Offer (USSO) 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 2: System Volunteering 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.