Southwark Emergency Support Scheme- Procurement of award distribution supplier

The council are looking to collaborate with an organisation who would be able to provide distribution and delivery of following as a minimum;

-Food provision- delivery of food parcels/supermarket vouchers

-Retail vouchers

-Energy support vouchers/credit

-Furniture and white goods

-Essential household items

-Cash awards

Voucher based awards should be delivered electronically and redeemable at a wide range of easily accessible outlets/stores.

Suppliers should be able to manage all orders, deliveries and returns of awarded goods directly with recipients.

The supplier will be contacting award recipients on behalf of the council and as such would need to maintain high standards of customer service. Communication with recipients on delivery/redemption of their awards should be clear and easy to understand.

The nature of the service is to support residents in urgent need so speed of delivery is of primary importance. As a minimum, the council would expect turnaround times in accordance with the timescales given below. Suppliers should have sufficient capacity to manage the volume of cases and peaks in demand.

The council are looking to obtain value for money arrangements, services offering discounted rates or rebates will be preferential.

It is essential that potential suppliers operate in full compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation and be able to evidence appropriate data security systems for digital processing, should they be awarded the contract.

Additionally, the council would expect any delivery drivers or installers visiting homes to be DBS checked.

Prospective suppliers should have due regard to promotion and observance of the Care Act 2014 and the responsibility to follow the 6 safeguarding principles enshrined within this Act. Local Authorities have a statutory responsibility for safeguarding, it requires the council to make sure that people who live in their areas receive services that prevent their care needs from becoming more serious or delay the impact of their needs.

The council would welcome contact from charity organisations or local employers who can add value to the local community.

Timescales:

Order type Despatch or Delivery to Recipient

Pre-payment cards Within 2 working days

Directly Supplied Goods (household items) Within 5 working days

Groceries The next day following the day on which the order was processed

Energy Voucher (PayPoint) The day on which the order was processed

Cash Payment (PayPoint) The day on which the order was processed