Official UK procurement notice
Reopening (1) of the Flexible Framework for Care at Home and Housing Support Services
Authority: Renfrewshire Council (Local council)
Renfrewshire Council has an existing Flexible Framework ("framework") for the provision of Care at Home and Housing Support Services under the direction of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP). The framework allows RHSCP to purchase services to 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. RHSCP now wish to reopen the framework to new entrants, to ensure capacity to deliver services across Renfrewshire. Any tenderer bidding for appointment to the framework will be required to satisfy the same minimum criteria as those awarded a place under the original tender process.
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionRenfrewshire Council has an existing Flexible Framework ("framework") for the provision of Care at Home and Housing Support Services under the direction of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP).
The framework allows RHSCP to purchase services to 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 also be the occasional requirement for a Renfrewshire Council Children’s Services to arrange support services for a child.
The Service is delivered 24 hours per day, 52 weeks per year including public holidays. The size of each individual package of care varies and is dependent on the individual’s assessed needs and outcomes.
As the services provided by this framework fall within the ‘Social and Other Specific Services’ category, and it is subject to the procurement regimes set out in section 7, Social and Other Specific Services, both of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a flexible approach was designed which allows “new entrants” to apply to be on the framework throughout the duration, as and when determined by RHSCP.
RHSCP now wish to reopen the framework to new entrants, to ensure capacity to deliver services across Renfrewshire. The process followed will be the same process used to appoint the original providers. Any tenderer bidding for appointment to the framework will be required to satisfy the same minimum criteria as those awarded a place under the original tender process.
INTERESTED PARTIES MUST READ THE Invitation to Tender document FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS FRAMEWORK.
- Technical and Professional Ability (2 examples of previous experience of delivering similar services. These MUST be within the last 3 years and demonstrate relevant experience and capacity);
- Care Inspectorate Requirements (Registered to deliver a Combined Support Service - Care at Home and a Housing Support Service (or ongoing application for Combined Service);
- Care Inspectorate minimum Quality Grade of 3 for all key questions;
- SSSC Registration and PVG Checks;
- Insurance Requirements;
- Financial Standing Requirements;
- Health and Safety Requirements;
- Cyber Security Requirements.
TENDERERS MUST MEET THE MINIMUM CRITERIA, OTHERWISE THEIR SUBMISSION WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM EVALUATION AND THEY WILL NOT BE APPOINTED TO THE FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK.
Any Tenderer who does not meet the minimum requirements will not be eligible for appointment to the Flexible Framework but may participate in any future reopening of the Flexible Framework when these requirements have been met.
CPV: Health and social work services · Social services · Social work services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Framework period
5 yrs 1 mo from 1 Apr 2027, This requirement is being tendered under the regulations applicable for Social and Other Specific Services of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The Council is reopening the Flexible Framework for New Entrants to be added. New Entrants will be subject to the same minimum requirements as those who responded to the initial Contract Notice establishing the Flexible Framework.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1As the services provided by this framework fall within the ‘Social and Other Specific…RenewalPublished value£160,000,000
As the services provided by this framework fall within the ‘Social and Other Specific Services’ category, and it is subject to the procurement regimes set out in section 7, Social and Other Specific Services, both of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, a flexible approach was designed which allows “new entrants” to apply to be on the framework throughout the duration, as and when determined by RHSCP.
RHSCP now wish to reopen the framework to new entrants, to ensure capacity to deliver services across Renfrewshire. The process followed will be the same process used to appoint the original providers. Any tenderer bidding for appointment to the framework will be required to satisfy the same minimum criteria as those awarded a place under the original tender process. Additional information: TENDERERS MUST MEET THE MINIMUM CRITERIA, OTHERWISE THEIR SUBMISSION WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM EVALUATION AND THEY WILL NOT BE APPOINTED TO THE FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK.
The Hourly Rate the Council shall pay under the Flexible Framework for the provision of Services is 25.41GBP. Tenderers must confirm acceptance of this rate as per the Commercial Envelope on the PCS-T system.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (3)
- Technical Questions: 90%
- Community Benefits: 5%
- Fair Working Practices: 5%
Published award criteria (4)
- Technical Questions: 90%
- Community Benefits: 5%
- Fair Working Practices: 5%
- Price: Pass/Fail
- Suitability
List and brief description of conditions:
Mandatory Requirement - Care Inspectorate Registration and Grades
1 Tenderers must be registered with the Care Inspectorate to deliver a Support Service - Care at Home for the Service they are tendering to be on the Flexible Framework.
- All Services being tendered to be on the Flexible Framework must have a minimum Quality Grade of 3 for all key questions.
2 Tenderers must also be registered to deliver a Housing Support Service as a combined service, or evidence an ongoing application with the Care Inspectorate to do so.
- Where a Tenderer DOES have the appropriate combined Housing Support Service registration, the combined service being tendered to be on the Flexible Framework must have a minimum Quality Grade of 3 for all key questions.
- Where a Tenderer DOES NOT have the appropriate combined Housing Support Service registration, they must evidence a live and ongoing application for this, and confirm understanding that NO APPOINTMENT TO THE FRAMEWORK WILL BE MADE until evidence of the completed application has been submitted to the Council.
Any Tenderer who does not meet the requirement prior to the Tender Deadline will not be eligible to join; however, they may participate in a future reopening of the Flexible Framework once these requirements have been met
- Economic & financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
The Council would expect Tenderers to have a minimum Dun & Bradstreet Failure Score of 20. Where a Tenderer’s D&B Failure Score is below this minimum threshold or is not available, the Tenderer will be required to provide supporting documentary evidence to demonstrate financial stability to the satisfaction of the Council.
Minimum: The minimum insurances required to obtain a place on the Flexible Framework are detailed in Section V1.3 of this Contract Notice. - Technical & professional ability
As per Part 4C: Services of the SPD, Tenderers must provide 2 examples that demonstrates experience that is relevant to this procurement exercise. Examples should be from within the last 3 years and must include delivery of Services which are registered with the Care Inspectorate as a Support Service - Care at Home, and where applicable, registered with the Care Inspectorate to deliver a Housing Support Service. The examples must also have Care Inspectorate Quality Grades of 3 or above for all key questions in the Care Inspectorate quality indicator framework.
Tenderers must detail the Tenderer’s role in delivering the contracts including, if relevant, any instances where the Tenderer has been able to demonstrate added value or innovative solutions.
Tenderers must demonstrate their previous experience in delivering services which ensure capacity and capability to deliver the required Renfrewshire Council Services. Tenderers must demonstrate experience of appropriately skilled and qualified staff providing support for people with varying needs.
Minimum: Technical Experience Providers must provide 2 examples of previous experience in delivering similar services - as a Care Inspectorate registered Support Service - Care at Home, and as appropriate a Housing Support Service and have minimum quality grades of 3 for key questions in … - Technical & professional ability
Staff delivering the Service must be SSSC registered.
Staff must be PVG checked.
Provider’s must be registered with the Care Inspectorate as outlined in III.1 Conditions for participation (III.1.1 Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers) and the Invitation to Tender.
- Staff
- Names and qualifications of delivery staff must be submitted
- “Reopening (1) of the Flexible Framework for Care at Home and Housing…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 30 Jun 2026, 15:00 BST
- Last source update
- 18 Sept 2026, 16:10 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 30 Oct 2026 – …
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-088866- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c057Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
- Performance terms
Providers must meet and uphold all the required criteria listed for the duration of the Flexible Framework and Individual Service Contracts called off from the Flexible Framework.
- Review procedure
An economic operator that suffers or risks suffering, loss or damage attributable to breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI2015/446, as amended) may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session in accordance with Regulation 88 of the 2015 Regulations.
Publisher note: Minimum Requirements - Insurance All Tenderers will be required to evidence the following insurances (full details are listed within the Invitation to Tender). i) Public Liability To a minimum indemnity limit of 10,000,000GBP each and every claim. Liability must not exclude abuse and/or molestation cover. ii) Employers’ Liability To a minimum indemnity limit of 10,000,000GBP each and every claim. iii) Statutory Third-Party Motor Vehicle Liability Where a vehicle is used in delivery of the Service, statutory third-party motor vehicle cover, OR where there is no company fleet and employees use their own vehicles instead, a letter signed by a person of appropriate authority confirming that the provider has ongoing arrangements in place. iv) Professional Indemnity Where a Provider is employing any Staff who are professionally qualified in relation to delivery of Services, to a minimum indemnity of 2,000,000GBP any one incident (without limit to the number of incidents), OR in the aggregate, and where in the aggregate, a minimum of one automatic reinstatement of the limit in any one period of insurance OR, where no automatic reinstatement is available, 5,000,000GBP in the annual aggregate. Where a Services include the provision of care and treatment (including, but not limited to where the Service involves the administration of medicines) the Provider shall as a minimum, effect and maintain one of the following insurances and minimum levels of cover: (a) A care and treatment extension to the existing public liability policy, to a minimum indemnity limit of 5,000,000GBP; (without limit to the number of incidents) OR, in the aggregate, and where in the aggregate, a minimum of one automatic reinstatement of the limit in any 1 period of insurance OR, where no automatic reinstatement is available, 10,000,000GBP in the annual aggregate. (b) Where applicable, Medical Malpractice Liability Policy to a minimum indemnity limit of 5,000,000GBP any one incident (without limit to the number of incidents) OR, in the aggregate and where in the aggregate, a minimum of one automatic reinstatement of the limit in any one period of insurance OR, where no automatic reinstatement is available, 10,000,000GBP in the annual aggregate. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 32358. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason: The nature of the Services do not align with Subcontracting Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: The approach to Community Benefits within the Flexible Framework will be linked to cumulative annual spend (of ISCs) with a Provider following award of the Flexible Framework. As part of the Tender Submission for the Flexible Framework, Tenderers will be required to demonstrate their commitment to delivering Community Benefits throughout the Flexible Framework. Throughout the Flexible Framework when the Council purchases Services, it will earn Community Benefit points. The number of points earned will correlate to the level of cumulative spend for the previous 12 months. The Council will then agree with the Provider the Community Benefits to be delivered and timescales for this, using the Council’s Community Benefits Outcome Menu as the basis for discussion/agreement of Community Benefits to be delivered. (SC Ref:843248)
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 30 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bids opened
- 30 Oct 2026, 12:30 GMT
Timeline
4 Sept 2026 → 1 Apr 2027 · 6 dates- Next notice expected59 days ago4 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
- Notice published45 days ago18 Sept 2026, 16:10 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends3 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown30 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Bids opened3 days ago30 Oct 2026, 12:30 GMT
- Today2 Nov 2026
- Bids must remain valid untilin 147 days29 Mar 2027, 23:59 BST
- Contract startsin 149 days1 Apr 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 18 Sept 2026- Status changed to active18 Sept 2026, 16:10 BST
- Procurement method changed18 Sept 2026, 16:10 BST
- Deadline published: 30 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT18 Sept 2026, 16:10 BST
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- See VI.4.3 belowReview body
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.