Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector Commissioning 2024 Phase 4

The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector (VCSE) plays a vital role in Royal Borough of Kingston supporting some of the borough's most vulnerable residents. The sector has played a crucial role in the Kingston Covid response and continued funding of local Voluntary Community Sector organisations is an important part of ensuring the Authority has an effective approach to early help and prevention. These proposals build on learning from the Covid response, the priorities of the Communities Taskforce, the recommendations from Seizing the Moment, and sector best practice. The service priorities, specification requirements and monitoring approach have been co-designed with the sector. A phased approach to the commissioning process has been adopted, with contracts falling into earlier Phase 1, 2, 3 contracts and the remaining contracts into this Phase 4.

This procurement exercise is in relation to Phase 4 only. There are two (2) Commissioning Themes in Phase 4. Each Commissioning Theme has Lots which indicate the type of service provision required. This assists us in focussing our intentions into areas of need.

Commissioning Theme 6: Mental Health and Wellbeing Lot 6a - Dementia Advice & Support Services Lot 6b - Mental Health Support Lot 6c - Bereavement Counselling & Support Services Commissioning Theme 9: Advocacy Lot 9a - Integrated Advocacy

The Authority will seek to award contracts in the form of separate Theme Lots. Each Theme Lot will be underpinned by an overarching VCSE commissioning Theme and the size and subject matter of each Theme Lot will vary depending on the overarching commissioning Theme.

The Authority will be seeking to award ONE contract for each Theme Lot. Each Theme Lot will have a contract value assigned. The total value of each contract will be reflective of the individual value of each Theme Lot.

There is a specification set out for each commissioning Theme Lot. Each specification will set out the key outcomes and key deliverables for each commissioning Theme Lot.

Potential providers may bid for one or more Theme Lots within the overarching commissioning Themes. Providers must be capable of providing all elements within a Theme Lot. Theme Lots will not be further divided.

Potential providers are required to submit responses for each Theme Lot they are applying for.

The Authority is disclosing the budget available for all requirements within each Commissioning Theme Lot. Tenderers will be required to set out in their Tender which Theme Lot/s they are bidding for.

Contract Term: Initial term of 3 years plus 2 further extensions of up to 12 months each (3+1+1 = 5 years)

Potential bidders should register their interest in this tender through the London Tenders Portal by Pro Contract. You can register an account for free at London Tender Portal (https://www.londontenders.org)

Additional information: Royal Borough of Kingston tendering takes place through the London Tenders Portal by Pro Contract. We advertise all of our opportunities and complete the sourcing process through that website. You can register an account for free at London Tender Portal (https://www.londontenders.org) in the Supplier' Area, after which you will be able to access the procurement documents under Project Reference DN713702.