Framework for the Provision of Temporary Accommodation

Tender description

Torbay Council are looking for a range of providers to provide temporary accommodation services, which will form part of a range of measures in Torbay aimed at ensuring our citizens have access to safe, quality temporary and long-term accommodation that meets their needs. The types of Accommodation we are looking for include: • Single bedroom shared facilities – rooms in a shared house; house of multiple occupation (HMO). • Single bedroom self-contained – exclusive use of accommodation with its own access and no shared facilities. • Single bedroom self-contained (adapted) - ground floor accommodation which is adapted for a wheelchair user. • Single bedroom self-contained (High Risk) - can accommodate people with complex and multiple needs. • 2-5 Bedroom units of accommodation with its own access and no shared facilities. In order to achieve our goals for the delivery of Temporary Accommodation in Torbay, this opportunity will be structured as a Framework Agreement. Providers can be appointed to any of the following Lots: • Accommodation and housing management (Lot 1) • Accommodation only (Lot 2) Ideally, we are looking for providers who can supply both the accommodation and housing management (Lot 1), but we are also keen to work with providers who are only able to meet the accommodation requirements (Lot 2) to ensure we have access to sufficient quality secure accommodation to meet the needs of Torbay Citizens. The Council will award Contracts with suitable providers from Lot 1 and Lot 2 to meet our requirements for sufficiency. These Contracts will guarantee the placements and income from the Council. Providers have the option of bidding to be appointed to the Framework on any number of the specified Lots. There will be no minimum unit of accommodation requirement and providers will be invited to put forward submissions for any number of units of accommodation from any of the Lots available on the Framework. Bidders must be the owner, leaseholder or managing agent of the properties put forward. Providers will ensure that properties meet the quality standards as set out in the service specification. This will include standards relating to: • Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) self-assessment. • Compliance with the provisions of the Housing Act 2004. • Where accommodation for single households is provided in shared housing this should comply with House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) standards and be licensed as appropriate. • All property will be clean and in good condition. • Fire Safety standard. • Gas & Electric Safety checks. • Security. Torbay Council are keen to work in partnership with all providers appointed to the Framework, with providers having access to a named contact within the Housing Options Team and a contract manager. The Council will be responsible for issuing licence agreements to those occupying temporary accommodation to ensure accommodation is provided in accordance with the Council’s legal duty. Lot 1: Accommodation & Housing Management The purpose of the services provided as part of this Lot are to supply good quality furnished temporary accommodation and housing management services to a range of households in housing need on behalf of the Council. This will include Homeless Single people, Couples, Families, and Care Leavers. This could also include hotel rooms that would be used in exceptional circumstance. Hotels/ B&B provision would not usually be used for young people under the age of 18. Families would only be accommodated in exceptional circumstances. Additional information: Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents. Tiers The Framework will comprise a combination of Applicants from Lot 1 and Lot 2 split into two tiers as follows: a) Tier 1: This tier will include those Applicants who have scored highly enough to be awarded a Call-Off Contract. Places will be awarded in relation to specific Units of accommodation, this may result in some Applicants having more than one place on Tier 1. b) Tier 2: The purpose of this tier is to enable the Council to have access to a range of providers, providing accommodation only, through which we can spot purchase additional units of accommodation to meet temporary increases in demand. The Council recognises that, where a Tier 1 Contract has not been put in place the accommodation units proposed by Applicants may not remain available to meet spot purchasing / further competition requirements. In view of this Tier 2 will set up on a Provider basis, rather than in respect of specific units of accommodation, enabling Providers to propose alternative accommodation units. Applicants who are not awarded a Tier 1 place for any of their proposed Units and who meet the mandatory and minimum requirements and all Tier 1 Providers will automatically be awarded a single place on Tier 2. Lot 2: Accommodation Only The purposes of services provided as part of this lot are to enable the Local Authority to lease accommodation (preferably furnished but unfurnished considered) in which they will place Homeless Single people, Couples, Families, Care Leavers. The Council will be responsible for the Housing Management of these properties. Additional information: Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents. Tiers The Framework will comprise a combination of Applicants from Lot 1 and Lot 2 split into two tiers as follows: a) Tier 1: This tier will include those Applicants who have scored highly enough to be awarded a Call-Off Contract. Places will be awarded in relation to specific Units of accommodation, this may result in some Applicants having more than one place on Tier 1. b) Tier 2: The purpose of this tier is to enable the Council to have access to a range of providers, providing accommodation only, through which we can spot purchase additional units of accommodation to meet temporary increases in demand. The Council recognises that, where a Tier 1 Contract has not been put in place the accommodation units proposed by Applicants may not remain available to meet spot purchasing / further competition requirements. In view of this Tier 2 will set up on a Provider basis, rather than in respect of specific units of accommodation, enabling Providers to propose alternative accommodation units. Applicants who are not awarded a Tier 1 place for any of their proposed Units and who meet the mandatory and minimum requirements and all Tier 1 Providers will automatically be awarded a single place on Tier 2.