Purpose

Award of the Direct Payments Support Service
contract following tender and evaluation.

Decision

The Cabinet Member approves:
 
1.    
That Appendix 1 is not for publication on the basis that it
contains information relating to the financial or business affairs
of any particular person (including the authority holding that
information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local
Government Act 1972 (as amended).
 
2.    
The procurement strategy for the Direct Payment Support Service
contract for an
initial period of three years with the option to extend for a
further two years, commencing 1st June 2026. 

Reasons for the decision

1.    
The Direct Payments Support Service contract was first awarded in
2019 and is due to expire on 31 May 2025. Therefore the contract needs retendering to remain
compliant with procurement regulations.
 
2.    
As outlined in the strategy, an open procurement for this service
will allow the Council to test the market whilst achieving value
for money via a competitive tender process. A new, more flexible
service model is needed to ensure timely support for residents.
 

Alternative options considered

Option 1:
Decommission the service or requirement –Not recommended
 
1.    
This is not recommended as the offer of direct payments support
services is statutory for eligible individuals in England under the
Care Act 2014. Furthermore it is in line
with our strategic vision to empower more people to have choice in
their care and further improve their personal outcomes.
 
Option 2: Deliver
the supplies, services, and/or works in-house (make/buy decision)
–Not recommended
 
2.    
Advantages of this approach include local knowledge, connections
with cases and services and greater influence over delivery.
 
3.    
However this option is not recommended
due to lack of existing capacity to deliver.
 
Option 3: Use an
existing contract, established by the Council, to provide the
supplies, services, and/or works –Not recommended
 
4.    
This is not recommended as there is no appropriate existing
contract under which these services can be provided.
 
Option 4: Procure
using a compliant framework, Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), or
Dynamic Market –Not recommended
 
5.    
This is not recommended as there is no known framework for the
services required.
 
Option 5: Undertake
a fully regulated competitive and compliant procurement process,
advertised to the market – Recommended
 
6.    
This option is recommended. The service would be commissioned by
the local authority through a third-party provider identified
through a competitive open tender procurement exercise. The
successful provider will be responsible for the employment of all
staff and delivery of commissioned activity.