Flexible Framework for the Provision of Care at Home and Housing Support Services (RC-CPU-23-048)

Renfrewshire Council · 3 April 2025
Back to Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board — 3 April 2025 and its agenda

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___________________________________________________________________
To:  Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board
On:  03 April 2025
___________________________________________________________________
Report by: The Director of Finance and Resources, Renfrewshire Council and the
Chief Officer, Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership
___________________________________________________________________
Heading: Contract Authorisation Report: Flexible Framework for the Provision of
Care at Home and Housing Support Services (RC-CPU-23-048)
___________________________________________________________________
1. Summary
1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the Finance,
Resources and Customer Services Policy Board to authorise the Head
of Corporate Governance to award a place on the Flexible Framework
for the Provision of Care at Home and Housing Support Services (RC-
CPU-23-048) (“Flexible Framework”) to each of the Tenderers detailed
within Appendix 1 of this report.
1.2 The recommendation to award this Flexible Framework follows a
procurement exercise which was conducted as an Open Procedure for
an above Threshold contract in accordance with the Public Contracts
(Scotland) Regulations 2015, as amended, for Social and Other
Specific Services. 
1.3 A Contract Strategy for this Flexible Framework was approved by:
1.3.1 The Head of Health and Social Care, RHSCP on 16 December
2024;
1.3.2 The Chief Finance Officer, RHSCP and the Interim Corporate
Procurement Manager, Renfrewshire Council on 17 December
2024.
___________________________________________________________________

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2. Recommendations
2.1. It is recommended that the Finance, Resources and Customer Services
Policy Board:
a) Authorises the Head of Corporate Governance to award a
Flexible Framework for the Provision of Care at Home and
Housing Support Services, reference RC-CPU-23-048, to the 15
Tenderers listed in Appendix 1 of this report;
b)  Authorises the maximum approved value of up to £160 million
for the duration of the Flexible Framework, including use of any
extension periods, for all Individual Service Contracts (ISCs)
made under this Flexible Framework;
c)  Authorises the Flexible Framework for an initial period of 4 years
with the option to extend, at the discretion of the Council, for a
further period of 12 months on 3 separate occasions. The
anticipated Commencement Date of the Flexible Framework is
01 May 2025; the actual Commencement Date will be confirmed
in the Council’s Letter of Acceptance to each successful
tenderer identified in Appendix 1 of this report;
d) Notes that a Provider’s Appointment Date may be after the
Commencement Date of the Flexible Framework.
e)  Notes that where the Council reopens the Flexible Framework, a
recommendation will be presented to the Finance Resources
and Customer Services Policy Board for approval of any New
Entrants. 
_________________________________________________________
3. Background
3.1. This Flexible Framework will provide both RHSCP (who support the
Council in the performance of social care functions) and where
necessary, the Council, the facility to purchase services via Individual
Service Contracts (ISCs) under this Flexible Framework.  These will
support (predominantly older) people to live independently in their own
homes for as long as possible with the care and support they need
being tailored to them, provided in a tailored and responsive manner.
There may be the occasional requirement for an ISC to be arranged by
Children’s Services for a young person. The new Flexible Framework is
intended to be used for future replacements for the Council’s current
contracts for these types of service.

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3.2. Tenderers appointed to the Flexible Framework as Providers will
deliver outcome-focused support for each individual assessed as
requiring an ISC to be made under this Flexible Framework. ISC are
available under both Self Directed Support (SDS) Options 2 and 3.
3.3. The procurement process for the Flexible Framework was conducted
using the Open Procedure in accordance with the Public Contracts
(Scotland) Regulations 2015 for a Social and Other Specific Services
and the Council’s Standing Orders Relating to Contracts.
3.4.  A Contract Notice was published on the Find a Tender Service via the
Public Contracts Scotland website on 17 December 2025. The
Invitation to Tender was also published and available on this date from
Public Contracts Scotland – Tender. The Tender Deadline was 12 noon
on 03 February 2025.
3.5.  During the tender live period, 87 economic operators viewed the tender
opportunity prior to the Tender Deadline:
• 26 submitted tender responses
• 51 did not submit a response
• 10 declined to respond. 
Feedback was sought from those who did not submit, and responses
included that economic operators could not meet the scope of
requirements included, or did not meet the minimum tender
requirements.
3.6. The 26 Tender Submissions received were evaluated against a pre-
determined set of criteria in the form of the Single Procurement
Document (SPD) (Scotland), by: representatives from the Corporate
Procurement Unit (CPU); representatives from RHSCP; Health and
Safety; Risk and Cyber teams, against pre-determined bidder selection
criteria which assessed competence, expertise and financial stability.
One Tenderer did not pass this element of the SPD (Scotland) and was
not evaluated further.
3.7. As part of the Quality requirements, the Technical Experience section
of the SPD (Scotland) was evaluated by representatives from the
RHSCP. Tenderers had to detail experience, including appropriate
Care Inspectorate registration and the minimum tendered grades as
well as demonstrate capacity and capability to deliver services within
the Renfrewshire Council area. 10 of the Tenderers did not pass the
technical experience element of the SPD (Scotland) and were not
evaluated further.

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3.8. All 15 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Flexible
Framework (Appendix 1) confirmed compliance with the minimum
selection criteria set within the SPD (Scotland). 
3.9. Each of the 15 remaining Tender Submissions was then evaluated
against the published award criteria of 100% Quality by representatives
from both the CPU and the RHSCP. As the Invitation to Tender had
stated the standard set hourly rate for Services for this Flexible
Framework, the Price evaluation consisted of each Tenderer accepting
that stated hourly rate.  All 15 Tenderers recommended for award of a
place on the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1) confirmed acceptance of
the stated hourly rate. The Total Score achieved by each Tenderer
recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework is
detailed in Appendix 1.  
3.10. Tenderers were required to complete Renfrewshire Council’s Cyber
Security Questionnaire, and this was evaluated by the Council’s Cyber
Security team.  As part of the Flexible Framework management
requirements all 15 Tenderers recommended for award of a place on
the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1) are required to undergo an
annual review to ensure ongoing compliance and/or improvement of
their current Cyber Security status.
3.11.  As part of the Invitation to Tender, Tenderers were required to confirm
their commitment to delivering Community Benefits throughout the
duration of the Flexible Framework. Community Benefits will be linked
to cumulative annual spend of ISCs made with each Tenderer awarded
and accepting a place on the Flexible Framework.  All 15 Tenderers
recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework
(Appendix 1) have confirmed their commitment to providing Community
Benefits. 
3.12. The Flexible Framework is not ranked and ISCs will be awarded based
on the needs of the individual service user requiring support.
3.13. The Flexible Framework will be reopened to allow new providers to join
at a later date as a New Entrant. The timescales for any reopening will
be dependent on when the Council identifies a requirement to reopen.
Any New Entrant will be required to satisfy the same minimum criteria
as those Providers awarded a place from the Commencement Date. 
___________________________________________________________________

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Implications of the Report
1. Financial - The maximum approved value of £160 million, excluding VAT,
for the initial four year period plus further extension of 3 x 12 months will
be met from the RHSCP Adult Services Budget. The anticipated
Commencement Date for the Flexible Framework is 01 May 2025. As this
is a Flexible Framework, there is no guarantee of ISCs or business for any
awarded Provider through the Flexible Framework.
2. HR & Organisational Development - None directly arising from this
report.
3. Community/Council Planning – 
• Place – working together to enhance wellbeing across communities -
Developing local plans that reflect the voices of our communities,
alongside strengthening our local partnerships, working together to
deliver local priorities. 
• Fair – nurturing bright, happy and healthy futures for all – 
o Reducing inequalities in Renfrewshire, focusing on supporting
our communities and empowering people to live fulfilled lives;
o Working with a range of partners to support the improved
health and wellbeing of our citizens.
4. Legal - This procurement was carried out in accordance with the
procedures for an above Threshold Flexible Framework as permitted
under part 7 of the Social and Other Specific Services contracts of the
Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, as amended, and the
Council’s Standing Orders Relating to Contracts.
5. Property/Assets – None directly arising from this report.
6. Information Technology – The Council’s Security & Compliance team
evaluated the cyber security evidence submitted by each of the 15
Tenderers recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework
(Appendix 1).  ICT will support the review of cyber security evidence on an
annual basis, as well as any Tenderers applying as a New Entrant at a
future date.
7. Equality & Human Rights - None directly arising from this report.
8. Health & Safety – The Corporate Health and Safety team evaluated the
Health and Safety evidence submitted by each of the 15 Tenderers
recommended for award of a place on the Flexible Framework (Appendix
1), and these met the Council’s minimum requirements.

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9. Procurement – The procurement procedures outlined within this report
shall ensure that the Council meets its statutory requirements in respect of
procurement procedures, efficiency and modern Government.
10. Risk - The Council’s Risk team evaluated the insurance evidence
submitted by each of the 15 Tenderers recommended for award of a place
on the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1), and these met the Council’s
minimum requirements.
11. Privacy Impact – The Council’s Information Governance Team and
RHSCP conducted a data protection impact assessment as part of the
procurement exercise. Each of the 15 Tenderers recommended for award
to the Flexible Framework (Appendix 1) will be Data Controllers and will
be required to comply with the Conditions of Contract including Data
Protection Conditions.
12. Climate Risk – The level of impact associated with the services was
assessed using the Scottish Government Sustainability Test and is
considered to be low impact.
13. Children’s Rights –Where applicable, this report supports compliance
with Article 3 (best interests of the child) and Article 23 (children with
disabilities) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
14. Cosla Policy Position – None directly arising from this report.
_______________________________________________________
List of Background Papers – None
___________________________________________________________________ 
Author:          Shona Brydson, Senior Procurement Specialist, Corporate
Procurement Unit, shona.brydson@renfrewshire.gov.uk

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Appendix 1 
Recommended Tenderers for Flexible Framework for the Provision of Care at Home and Housing Support Services (RC-CPU-23-
048):
Tenderer Company Registration
Number
Care Inspectorate Registered
Provider Number
Total Score
(100%)
All Care Services Ltd SC599935 SP2018013149 58.88%
Call-In Homecare Limited SC157767 SP2004007104 92.50%
Care1 Professional Services Ltd 08775076 SP2016012749 69.00%
Caring Hearts Limited 08271879 SP2013012051 77.50%
Delight Supported Living Ltd SC364247 SP2009010723 63.63%
HRM Homecare Services Ltd. SC167583 SP2004006645 89.00%
Independent Lifestyle Limited t/a Compcare SC116929 SP2004004456 42.50%
Integrity Social Care Solutions Ltd SC576777 SP2017013026 56.00%
Invercare Services Ltd SC478118 SP2014012360 83.75%
M-Verth Limited SC604149 SP2020013525 75.63%
Oncall Care Service Ltd SC490956 SP2014012403 77.50%
Scotia Homecare Solutions Limited SC662472 SP2020013589 67.63%
SCRT Limited SC346942 SP2018013043 92.25%
Wheatley Care SC252526 SP2006008236 69.88%
Wilkerr Care Services Ltd SC693855 SP2021000219 77.63%