Official UK procurement notice
Reopening (1) of the Flexible Framework for Care at Home and Housing Support Services
Authority: Renfrewshire Council (Local council)
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.
Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid
How Renfrewshire Council buys Health and social work services (CPV 85), and who usually turns up
Renfrewshire Council’s published record next to the market for the same work. Compared with other frameworks and DPS only. Whole-market view: Health and social work services (CPV 85) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Local means the winner is registered in the region where that award was delivered. The market figure counts awards delivered in Scotland.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners were registered in the region where that award was delivered.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the bid deadline to the award date, on competitions that published both.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards have an award date within 74 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
The market share is a minimum: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Missing bid counts may hide more single-bid awards. This share is a minimum.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid0% / 10%
2–34% / 22%
4–638% / 17%
7+58% / 51%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
On a framework or DPS, prices are agreed when work is called off.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Not comparable on a framework or DPS: the price is set later, on each call-off.
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Our matching links this notice to “Flexible Framework for the Provision of Supported Living and Community Based Support Services for Adults with Social Care Needs” and “Flexible Framework for Care at Home and Housing Support Services” of this authority, but none of the 20 panel members sit in a category matching this notice.
Lot #1As the services provided by this framework fall within the ‘Social and Other Specific…CPV 85Published estimate£160m
This lot lists more than one class in CPV 85. The comparison uses that group.
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid0%
2–32%
4–66%
7+92%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 204 LimitedWorked for this buyer | Award of Contract for Early Learning and Childcare Places November 2025 - Ram 204 Limitednotice published Jun 2026 | — | — | Similar wording and category |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £700k3 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 1 live · £560k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 12% above n=2 | |
| £744k1 awards in 36m · last 7 months ago | None on file | no comparable pairs | |
LifelinkSME | £4.8m8 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 1 live · £1.5m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=2 |
| £27m4 awards in 36m · last 12 months ago | None on file | 3% below n=2 | |
| — | None on file | no comparable pairs |
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What this replaces i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
42% title match.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
42% title match.
A past supplier may not bid again.
The prior contract this notice most likely re-tenders · matched by title and category (42% title match), the holder is not guaranteed to re-bid
Flexible Framework for the Provision of Supported Living and Community Based Support Services for Adults with Social Care Needs, winner not published; no contract end date published.
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
- Open admission
- 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 to participate & submission route
Official notice Apply via Public Contracts Scotland- Requests to participate (first stage)
- —
- Appointment period ends
- 30 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- —
- 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 expected53 days ago4 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
- Notice published38 days ago18 Sept 2026, 16:10 BST
- Today26 Oct 2026
- Admission / appointment period endsin 4 days · period end, not a bid countdown30 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Bids openedin 4 days30 Oct 2026, 12:30 GMT
- Bids must remain valid untilin 154 days29 Mar 2027, 23:59 BST
- Contract startsin 156 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
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Nothing awarded yet- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
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; the tender pack is on the portal.