Application to join the Flexible Contracting Arrangements (FCA) for the provision of Home Support (Childrens and Adults) Services and Quick Discharge (Adults only) Service

The Council wishes to establish Flexible Contracting Arrangements for the provision of Home Support Services and Quick Discharge Service (QDS) under the "light touch'' arrangements set out in chapter 3 section 7 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and the Public Procurement (Amendments, Repeals and Revocations) Regulations 2016.

This agreement will allow for the Local Authority to work with the Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB), NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, in order to extend these arrangements to ICB funded patients on the basis that the ICB may introduce additional due diligence and competency arrangements which would need to be satisfied before Providers could receive referrals from the ICB.

The Flexible Contracting Arrangements (FCA) is based on the principles of a dynamic purchasing system which is an electronic system established by the Council to purchase individual packages of care by inviting tenders from suppliers admitted to the FCA. Suppliers can apply to join at the original tendering opportunity and at specific periods if the opportunity is reopened, at the Council's discretion, as long as the suppliers meet the qualifying criteria. An initial opening and closing of the FCA must take place. Following this the system will reopen if the minimum number of providers is not achieved or the provision is insufficient.

The reopening of the FCA will be at the discretion of the Council. The Council reserves the right to re-open the FCA for one or more geographical areas or citywide where it considers that additional provision is required.

An overview of the service requirements is set out below together with information on the procurement lots.

Home Support Service

Home Support services provide personal care to adults and children in their own home and can include help with the following:

• Personal care including washing and dressing.
• Housekeeping or cleaning.
• Cooking and preparing meals.
• Assistance with taking medications or health care needs.
• Companionship or activity-based support.

Quick Discharge Service (QDS)

The Quick Discharge Service also provides home support/ personal care in the citizens own home but is commissioned by the Council on behalf of our wider health and care system to provide short term, rapid home care for those medically fit for discharge from hospital.

The procurement process and contract is divided into 6 lots:

Lot 1 - Home Support Services North Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus

Lot 2 - Home Support Services West Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus

Lot 3 - Home Support Services East Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus

Lot 4 - Home Support Services South Central Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus

Lot 5 - Home Support Services South West Birmingham and Optional QDS Plus

Lot 6 - Home Support Services - Quick Discharge Service (Citywide)

The Flexible Contracting Arrangements will be for a period of 5 years, with the option to extend for up to two years. The duration of the call off contracts will be based on the individual requirements and will be managed in accordance with the terms of the Flexible Contracting Arrangements.