Provision of Supported Temporary Homeless Accommodation services at Westbrook House, Ennis, County Clare

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The tender involves the operation and management of Supported Temporary Emergency Accommodation at Westbrook House, Ennis, County Clare. The contractor will manage a facility providing 24/7 accommodation services for homeless individuals.

• Operation and Management: Oversee daily operations of the facility, ensuring it is staffed 24/7.
• Engagement and Support: Implement methodologies for engaging with and supporting service users, including outreach work.
• Case Management: Develop and maintain case management systems, reporting, and monitoring processes.
• Sustainability and Social Considerations: Incorporate sustainability measures and address social considerations in service delivery.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and facilitate Garda vetting for staff.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the Clare Homeless Action Team to align services with local needs.
• Facility Maintenance: Ensure the facility is maintained to a high standard, addressing any issues promptly.
• Financial Management: Manage budgets and financial reporting as per the contract requirements.

The contract is structured for an initial term of three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.

3. Background & buyer context

Clare County Council is procuring these services to address homelessness in Ennis, County Clare. This initiative is part of the council's broader strategy to provide temporary emergency accommodation and support services for homeless individuals. The procurement aligns with national and local policies aimed at reducing homelessness and improving social services. The incumbent service provider is not named, but the tender seeks to ensure continuity and enhancement of services at Westbrook House.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Minimum annual turnover of €750,000 in each of the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: At least 2 comparable Homeless Services contracts of similar size and scale.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The price/quality split is 40/60 (MEAT).

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Use Tender Response Template (Appendix 8), no page limits specified.
• CVs: Not specified.
• Pricing schedule: Complete Appendix 2.
• Case studies: Details of at least 2 comparable projects.
• Declarations: ESPD, Tax compliance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Contact Margaret McGibbon at [email protected] to arrange.
• Submission portal: eTenders, PDF format, max 4GB.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for three years with a possible 12-month extension. Payment terms are subject to the Services Contract, with prices fixed for 365 days post-tender deadline. Key performance indicators include maintaining a 24/7 service and compliance with health and safety standards. Liquidated damages or penalties are not specified. Termination clauses allow for a 14-day notice period. Intellectual property ownership and sub-contracting rules are standard, with no parent-company guarantee required.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The turnover requirement of €750,000 is relatively high, potentially limiting smaller firms. The geographic focus on Ennis may restrict the bidder pool. The contract's reliance on external funding is not explicitly stated but could impact long-term viability. The requirement for 24/7 staffing may pose challenges for resource allocation. No specific legacy system integration is mentioned, reducing complexity for new entrants.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for medium-sized firms with experience in managing homeless services. The financial and insurance requirements may exclude smaller businesses. Consortium bids are encouraged, allowing SMEs to partner with larger firms. Bid preparation is estimated at 10-15 days, considering the need for detailed method statements and case studies. The presence of an incumbent is not confirmed, but the high turnover requirement suggests a competitive environment.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: "Westbrook House RFT Final.docx"
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments: "Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications", "Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule", "Appendix 8 — Tender Response Template"