Older Persons Residential and Nursing Care Services

Kent County Council (the Council) is seeking providers (referred to in this notice as Tenderers) of Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered residential and nursing care homes within the geographic boundary of Kent, to provide facilities, accommodation and care for individuals who require support due to age, disability, or health conditions, to join a new Older Persons Residential and Nursing (OPRN) Care Homes Services Open Framework.

An open framework allows for the award of successive frameworks on substantially the same terms. This notice relates to the opportunity to apply to be admitted to the First Framework of the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme.

Care homes should promote safety, dignity, and quality of life, while ensuring that People who draw on care and support receive tailored support to meet their individual needs.

The Service Specification has been designed to incorporate the provision of accommodation, care, support, and meaningful activities for individuals, residing in a Care Home setting as their own home, either temporarily or long-term. The Service should enhance an Individual’s quality of life by offering a safe, manageable, and comfortable living environment, and a range of care and support, from assistance with daily living tasks to comprehensive nursing care for those with complex medical needs.

The Services under the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme and Framework Agreement are ‘light touch’ and are governed by the rules relating to light touch contracts under the Procurement Act 2023.

The Council intends, but is in no way obliged to, re-open the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme on the first anniversary, the third anniversary and the fifth anniversary, where the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme continues for the full term of 8 years.

The estimated values set out in this Tender Notice are on the basis that the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme continues for 8 years, on the basis of 4+4 years. The term of the Third Framework in the Scheme will be 1+1 years, to account for the extension period. The Council does not guarantee that the framework will continue for the full term of 8 years.

The estimated value of the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme over the 8-year term is £2.2bn (inclusive of VAT) but this estimate is purely indicative and is subject to amendment prior to the publishing of any future Tender Notices and associated tender documentation. The estimated value of this First Framework is £275,000,000 (inclusive of VAT).

No guarantee is given as to the actual value of any Frameworks under the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme, or any call-off contracts entered under any framework agreement. This estimated value is by no means a commitment to spend.

The organisation of local government is undergoing reform and the Council anticipates a change to the responsibilities of the delivery of adult social care in the administrative area of Kent County Council. The Framework Agreement and Open Framework Scheme can be used by the Council on its own behalf and on behalf of the Relevant NHS Body (as defined in the Framework Agreement) and or any successor body of the Council, or Contracting Authority that delivers adult social care services in the geographical area of Kent County Council during the term of the Open Framework Scheme.

The Council has duly considered the use of lots and has divided this procurement into 3 Lots based on categories of need, as below:

•Lot 1 – Residential Care, consisting of the following services:

(A)Residential Standard

(B)Residential High

•Lot 2 – Nursing Care, consisting of the following services:

(A)Nursing Standard

(B)Nursing High

(C)Highly Specialised and Complex Care (this is optional, in addition to Lot 2(a) and (b)).

•Lot 3 – Bariatric Care

Tenderers must be able to deliver both the ‘standard’ and ‘high’ level of care required in each Lot they tender for, within each care home if they operate more than one. Lot 2C is optional in addition to Nursing Standard and Nursing High and may not be applied for as a stand-alone lot. Tenderers are referred to the contract documentation for full details.

Lot 3 may only be delivered by a successful Tenderer also awarded a contract for Lot 1 and/or Lot 2. Lot 3 cannot be awarded as ‘stand-alone’ Service. Tenderers will be required to self-certify that they can provide all of the essential equipment requirements for the delivery of bariatric care in accordance with the Specification prior to the award of a contract; the Council will conduct due diligence consisting of a site visit of any Tenderer that tenders for Lot 3 prior to the award of any contract to verify the Tenderer’s response. Tenderers are referred to the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for full details.

The Council is seeking to award multiple contracts for each of the Lots.

Application is via the Council's e-sourcing system, which is accessible here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk

Further information on this opportunity can be found within the ITT.

If you experience any technical difficulties accessing the ITT, then please contact the Delta eSourcing Helpdesk on call 0800 923 9236 or email helpdesk@delta-esourcing.com.