Carers Information Advice and Support Service

Reading Borough Council, West Berkshire Council and the three clinical commissioning groups serving the Reading and West Berkshire area are re-commissioning services for Carers across Reading and West Berkshire.

Reading Borough Council, who is acting as lead partner, is inviting bids from organisations with experience of supporting carers. There are several funding opportunities available under this bidding process, encompassing:

• Information, Advice and Guidance services for Carers o Allocated funding of £30,964 p.a. for a Reading-based service o Allocated funding of £40,030 p.a. for a West Berkshire-based service

• Support services to help carers manage caring o Allocated funding of £30,964 p.a. for a Reading-based service

• Support services which enable and empower carers to enjoy a life outside of caring o Allocated funding of £30,964 p.a. for a Reading-based service o Allocated funding of £32,500 p.a. for a West Berkshire-based service

The funding agreements available under this bidding process are expected to start in April 2016, and will be for a period of two years.

Additional information: Organisations interested in expressing an interest in this bidding process should register on Reading Borough Council’s e-tendering Portal (In-Tend).

To register Please click on this link:

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc

You will then need to complete a short online form to register: • your company’s details

• categorising your company in terms of the goods or services it can provide

• providing user details, including an e-mail address which will be used as your login

The In-Tend Portal is completely free to Suppliers to register and use; it provides a web-based tool that enables the Council and potential bidders to conduct the strategic activities of the procurement lifecycle over the internet. It provides a simple, secure and efficient means for managing tendering, quotation and bidding activities, reducing the time and effort required for both buyers and potential bidders.

Technical questions and assistance regarding the use and operation of the Portal should be addressed to the In-Tend Help Desk, e-mail: [email protected], telephone 0844 2728810.

This is a competitive procurement exercise being conducted in accordance with the Council’s Contracts Procedure Rules. The services are to be procured under an open procedure and organisations interested in expressing an interest should download the documents from In-Tend and complete as instructed.

The procurement documents for this bidding opportunity are available to download from the Council’s e-procurement portal (In-Tend). All communication regarding this procurement must be conducted through the Portal including requests for clarification or general enquiries.

The closing date and time for receipt of bids is Monday 30 November 2015 at 9.00 a.m. Bids must be completed and submitted electronically via the Council’s e-tendering Portal.

Reading Borough Council does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any bid subsequently received and does not bind itself to enter into any funding agreement as a result of the publication of this notice, and will not, under any circumstances, have any liability for any costs any person responding to this notice incurs in any part of the bidding process.