Further Competition for Prepaid Cards under CCS Framework (RM 3828) - Lot 2 - AWARD

Further Competition for Prepaid Cards under CCS Framework (RM 3828) - Lot 2

The Council wishes to procure a prepaid card system for three separate council functions. Three separate on-line systems will be required, and initially between 400 and 500 cards between the three functions (expected to grow in the longer term to 1,000+ cards).

Appointeeship Unit require a system to assist in the administration of client finances where the authority is acting as Appointee / Deputy. This service takes responsibility for the management of finances for customers who are unable to manage their own finances and have no one willing or able to do this for them. The team has an existing contract which is being terminated in October 2022 as the supplier is withdrawing from the market.

Direct Payments - the council wishes to introduce a prepaid card system as an alternative to the current method which requires each client to set up a specific bank account to receive and pay out their allocated Direct Payment. A direct payment is funding for a person's care and support services which the person has decided to arrange themselves, rather than asking the council to arrange the services for them. Currently, clients are required to account for their use of their Direct Payment care funding by submitting regular paper reports, copies of bank statements plus receipts and invoices to support each payment.

No Recourse to Public Funds; deal with clients whose legal immigration status in the UK means that they cannot access mainstream benefits and housing assistance. Currently the service makes ad-hoc cash payments to clients who face high needs - very rarely do they make more than two payments to any one client. They wish to introduce a prepaid "limited load" card system to replace the current method, so that clients can have funds added to an anonymous card which would expire after a maximum of three loads.

Contract Period The contract period will be for 2 years 10 months commencing on 1st June 2022.

The Council will be using the In-tend e-Tendering System for this Procurement exercise, please visit https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sandwellmbc to access the Sandwell MBC In-tend Supplier Portal.

From here you will be able to register your company, express an interest in the opportunity, and gain immediate access to Quotation or other related documents.

To submit a quotation you will be required to 'Opt In'.

For a Step by Step user guide to the Sandwell MBC In-tend Supplier Portal please click on the `Guidance for Suppliers` section of the website. All procurement responses must be carried out via the Sandwell MBC In-tend Supplier Portal.

If you require further assistance in respect of the system please contact the In-tend support team on 0844 272 8810.

Closing date: Friday 29 April 2022 at 15:00hrs