Narrowing the Gap Bidding Framework 2016 - 2018

Reading Borough Council wishes to improve the way that it commissions different types of services in terms of:

• Infrastructure, neighbourhoods and general advice services

• Wellbeing and ‘preventative’ services

By offering a transparent process for allocating funding, we hope to encourage and develop new approaches and ways of collaborating so as to meet changing needs.

The Council is therefore inviting bids from organisations who are interested in these funding opportunities, and have experience of delivering the outcomes which the Council is hoping to achieve.

There will be several funding opportunities available under this bidding process, encompassing:

• Tackling Poverty - Improving life chances – meeting basic needs Allocated funding of £66,000 in 2016/17 and £44,000 in 2017/18 - Maximising Income Allocated funding of £338,000 in 2016/17 and £223,000 in 2017/18 - Employability Allocated funding of £50,000 in 2016/17 and £33,000 in 2017/18

• Health & Thriving Communities - Supporting Participation and Engagement Allocated funding of £83,000 in 2016/17 and £55,000 in 2017/18 - Organisational development Allocated funding of £80,000 in 2016/17 and £52,000 in 2017/18 - Volunteering governance and brokerage Allocated funding of £38,000 in 2016/17 and £25,000 in 2017/18 - Support for marginalised communities Allocated funding of £60,000 in 2016/17 and £40,000 in 2017/18

• Help to navigate care & support Services - Targeted information and advice provision for people with current or emerging care and support needs Allocated funding of £57,000 p.a.

• Self-advocacy & peer support - Self-advocacy provision for adults with a learning disability Allocated funding of £29,000 p.a. - Services to facilitate peer support or training for adults affected by long term health conditions Allocated funding of £105,000 p.a. (split between seven service types)

• Supporting carers to take breaks & enjoy a life outside caring - Replacement care (respite) services delivered at home or in the community, which provide opportunities for unpaid carers to take time away from caring or enjoy social contact Allocated funding of £70,000 p.a.

• Reducing the impact of illness - Supporting people to re-settle at home following a period of hospitalisation Allocated funding of £34,000 p.a. - Handyperson services Allocated funding of £20,000 p.a.

• Connecting people and communities to reduce loneliness - Opportunities for adults with current or emerging care needs to enjoy social contact and so reduce their risk of loneliness Allocated funding of £185,000 p.a. (split between six service types)

The funding agreements available under this bidding process are expected to start in June 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.

Organisations interested in expressing an interest should download the documents from In-Tend and complete as instructed.

The documents for this bidding opportunity are available to download from the Council’s e-procurement portal (In-Tend) – Project Reference No. RBC 00000021 refers. 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 Friday 8 January 2016 at 09.00 hours. 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.