Supplier Engagement Event

Estates Minor Works Engagement Event 19 November 2024 Statement of Requirement Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust are hosting an engagement event to generate ideas based on the experiences of potential service providers and to help us develop a better understanding of the full scope of options available for a possible Minor Works Framework. Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) are seeking to create this Minor Works Framework that will allow us to operate an efficient and cost-effective process for awarding works to a pre-qualified pool of Contractors. Works will primarily originate from the Trust's Capital Programme, which aligns primarily with the following categories; external and internal general building works, roof replacement and repair (all variations), electrical and/or mechanical works packages (including associated controls, systems - nurse call, BMS etc, sustainable technologies), resurfacing and grounds improvement works. In 2022, KCHFT commissioned a survey of its buildings. This suggests the Trust has a Maintenance Backlog over the next 5 years that will potentially require c£30-40m capital investment. Funding allocated to capital works in the current financial year (24/25) was £1.8m, and over recent years this was in the region of £3m to £5m per annum. To meet NHS Estate requirement to eradicate backlog over a 5-year cycle, capital allocation is expected to increase when the financial climate improves. As the Trust's strategic direction adapts to societal need, ad hoc schemes often arise with a short run time that have to be delivered concurrently to planned capital works. As an example, the Trust receives a request to deliver additional specialist services from a new location as central funding has become available. Ad hoc projects of this nature may require a multidisciplinary team of contractors that are adequately resourced to mobilise quickly to deliver the scheme within a constrained time frame. Currently, it is thought that a Framework or Dynamic Purchasing System - DPS could be structured in Lots, with the facility to direct award to the most economically advantageous bidder within the initial tender per discipline within a predefined value range, while retaining the ability to compete within the Framework at the discretion of the Trust. This Framework/DPS may be open to Kent & Medway ICB organisations as well as ourselves. We would like to understand whether this approach is the most beneficial or if an alternative model would be advantageous, and whether creating geographical partitions within the contract would provide greater access to local SME's while generating further financial efficiency for the Trust. Once an agreed approach has been established, it is likely that procurement will be via open tender in accordance with the Cabinet Offices Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 08/20, utilising the Find a Tender Service (FTS) (link) with a contract term of minimum 5 years with flexible options to increase contract length. The form of contract will likely be via an overarching JCT Measured Term or similar partnering contract that utilises a short form contract upon award for individual works packages. The overarching contract will provide for; a periodic pricing review, removal of poorly performing suppliers and introduction of new suppliers to replace them. To book a place at the engagement event being held on the 19 November 2024 at Trinity House, 110-120 Upper Pemberton, Ashford, Kent, TN25 4AZ, please email sarah.woodcock2@nhs.net no later than close of play on the 15 November 2024. The event will be open from 09.30 and will start promptly at 10.00. Dependent on the number of responses, this may be split into two sessions, so please provide an email address as well and the names of potential attendees. This is an engagement exercise at this point in time and may not lead to a procurement process.