Decision

The decision maker has approved the recommendations set out in the report attached with effect from the decision date.

The Head of Service - as a result (see below), has noted/approved a further standstill period of 8 working days will be observed. Accordingly, the earliest possible contract award date will now be 1 July 2026.

The first Framework Agreement will now run from 1st July 2026 – 31st December 2028, with the option to extend until 30th June 2029, in any combination. The Open Framework will be re-opened around 1st April 2028. These changes do not impact the overall end date or the total financial value of the framework as the award is based on a schedule of rates.

Background -

On 13th May 2026, the Director of Adult Health & Social Care approved: the contract award for an eight-year Open Framework in line with Part 3, Chapter 4, Section 49: (Open Frameworks) of the Procurement Act 2023. The overarching Open Framework will commence on 01 June 2026 for a period of up to 8 years and will be subsequently re-opened in line with the periods set out in the tender documents.

Approved the award of the first iteration of Framework Agreements in the Open Framework scheme to the providers listed at Appendix 2 to the report. The first Framework Agreement will run for a period of 30 months with the option of a with a 6-month extension. The first Framework Agreement will run from 1st July 2026 – 31st December 2028, with the option to extend until 30th June 2029 and the Open Framework will be re-opened around 1st April 2028. 

Following a post-tender clarification exercise undertaken after assessment summaries were issued, it was agreed to include additional bidders onto Lot 1 & Lot 3 of the framework. This decision was made to address concerns raised by bidders to ensure fairness, transparency, and compliance with procurement requirements.

Following the issuing of assessment summaries, some bidders raised concerns about the evaluation. A post-tender clarification exercise was carried out to review these issues, to ensure the process was fair and transparent, and confirm that tenders had been assessed on a consistent basis.  As a result, it was determined that the inclusion of additional bidders onto the framework was justified – please see attached Appendix 1: Supplementary list of suppliers for award & non award. 

See Report from May 2026.