ASC0284 - Community Connectors Service

Leicester City Council ('the 'Authority') invited Tenders for the provision of the Community Connectors Service, which will focus on six of the more disadvantaged areas of the city whose residents also report higher levels of social isolation. The Community Connectors (a team of local area co-ordinators) will work within the six selected areas of the city. The Community Connectors will take a community centred (i.e. Asset Based Community Development based or similar) approach to build confident and connected communities with the aims of reducing isolation and loneliness, improving physical and mental health and reducing health inequalities. The Service will take a holistic approach to addressing isolation and loneliness, ensuring that, in addition to organising social activities and events, people are gently supported and encouraged to make other changes leading to better health and wellbeing and greater social inclusion. The Authority conducted this procurement under the Light Touch Regime for Social and Other Specific Services, as set out in the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR), at Section 7 (Regulations 74 to 77) and Schedule 3. The procurement process was not conducted under the Public Contract Regulations 2015; however, it was similar to that of an Open procedure. The Process did, unlike an Open Procedure, include the flexibility, as allowed under the Light Touch Regime with various evaluation stages as detailed in the Invitation to Tender documentation. It was the intention of the Authority to award a block contract to a provider to deliver this service. The proposed Contract will be for an initial period of 3 years to commence on 9th August 2023 (or before if possible), with an option to extend, subject to satisfactory performance outcomes and agreement by the Authority, for a further period or periods up to a total of 2 years, taking the contract term to a maximum of 5 years. The Invitation to Tender document and its appendices and all other documentation issued to Tenderers set out the details of the Authority's requirements and how to submit Tenders. The Authority held an Online Tender Information Session conducted via Microsoft Teams on 6th February 2023 between 12:30pm to 2.00pm. Further information on how to register for this session was contained within the ITT documentation.