Tower Hamlets and Newham Framework Advice
This page contains advice for provider organisations on procurement of support services through a Framework Agreement by the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham.
Tower Hamlets and Newham Councils have got together to develop a Framework Agreement through which to procure support services delivered in their boroughs. Both boroughs will access the Framework Agreement to procure the majority of their services. They have engaged Sitra as independent advisers to support provider organisations participating in this process.The brief is described more fully below.
From autumn 2010 and throughout 2011 Sitra will be providing independent and impartial information and advice on the procurement process to provider organisations through these dedicated webpages and also through our Helpline at thnframeworkadvice@sitra.org
Sitra survey on THN framework agreement process – results published 25th October 2011
Part of Sitra’s role is to give feedback to the two Boroughs on providers’ experience of the process so that all can learn from it. The first survey was sent out in July this year and focused on providers’ experience of the early stages of the process.
Thank you to all providers who contributed by completing the survey, the results have now been collated and a report written which draws out the learning from the process so far.
A final survey will be sent out after the Invitation to Tender stage of the process and we hope you will take time to feedback your views and experiences at that time.
Sitra survey results and report (pdf)
THN response to the survey (pdf)
Invitation to Tender
Provider organisations that completed a PQQ for the THN framework have been notified whether they have been successful or not, letters were sent out on 15 July 2011. The Invitation to Tender (ITT) is now available on the London Tenders portal and can be accessed via their website using the link and sign in details provided by THN.
Questions about the ITT can be asked via the portal until 4 October 2011 and Questions and Answers will be available for all tenderers to view. The deadline for answers provided by THN will be 7 October 2011.
Any questions relating to the tender or the submission of bids should be sent using the question and answer facility on the e-tendering system.
If you have any problems using the system please contact Mike Baran at mike.baran@towerhamlets.gov.uk or by calling 020 7364 4750.
Feedback on first stage of process
Sitra is carrying out a survey as part of our role in giving feedback to the two Boroughs on providers' experience of the procurement process. All who expressed an interest in the Framework or contacted us or the Boroughs in connection with it have been invited to complete an on-line, confidential questionnaire by the closing date of 26 August 2011. If you have not received an invitation and would like to take part in the survey please contact us on thnframeworkadvice@sitra.org
Advertisement of Framework
This was published on 25 November 2010. Download the advert (pdf)
Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)
These were sent to provider organisations in response to requests following the Advertisement of Framework. PQQ documents were also downloaded from the London Tenders Portal Due North.
The deadline for submitting completed PQQs was 12 noon on 24 February 201
Questions and Answers
All Questions and Answers on the procurement process are held on the London Tenders Portal. Those questions which were raised at the Sitra ITT Briefing and subsequently answered by the Boroughs' staff, plus those raised and answered at PQQ stage, are here.
Consortia
Tower Hamlets and Newham's approach to consortia submissions is outlined here. This provided an opportunity for those interested in the formation of consortia to advertise their interests to other providers.
Consortia – Tower Hamlets and Newham’s approach to consortia (pdf)
Note: All PQQ and tender documents including covering letters, pricing documents, labels etc. were provided by Tower Hamlets and Newham via the e-procurement system
Contact details for boroughs’ staff
e-procurement system
The boroughs’ e-procurement system Due North can be found at
www.londontenders.org/procontract/supplier.nsf/frm_home?openForm
Events
Briefing meetings for providers
Consortia workshops for providers
Sitra training courses for providers
Tower Hamlets and Newham training for providers on using the London Tenders Portal, Due North, e-procurement system
Other relevant documents
Timetable The Tower Hamlets & Newham timetable for this procurement is currently being revised and will be posted here again when we receive it from Borough staff.
Schedule of client groups, sub-categories and services to be procured through the framework (pdf)
Sitra's 'A Providers Guide to Procurement'
Sitra's brief as independent advisor
Sitra's brief is to:
- Provide advice and guidance to providers in the participating boroughs seeking independent clarification of the adopted framework process.
- Deliver provider briefings and training courses at key stages of the project to ensure key factual and impartial information is available and understood by the provider sector.
- Provide advice and assistance to providers to develop consortia responses to the Framework Agreement.
- Facilitate provider consultation at key stages of the project to ensure that provider feedback can be considered by the local authorities and their advisors.
- Collate and report general themes from enquiries back to the Project Managers and project teams, ensuring that specific issues and potential barriers to participation for community, BME and smaller voluntary organisations are highlighted.
Face to face or telephone support
We aim to ensure that all current and potential providers get access to the information they need through the combination of telephone, written and face-to-face support we offer.
For further information contact us at thnframeworkadvice@sitra.org Please let us know if you have any suggestions for how you can best be supported by Sitra.
LBTH strategic documents
Consultation with providers regarding LBTH Supporting People commissioning intentions for the period 2011-16 will take place in early 2011 with the SP Commissioning Strategy completed by end March 2011. The following strategic documents are available:
LBTH SP Strategy summary 2005-2010
LBTH Hostels and Move-on Strategy
The following related strategies are available via the LBTH Website:
Council’s Community Plan – 2020 Vision
Housing Strategy 2009-12
Homelessness Strategy 2008-13
Crime and Drugs Reduction Strategy 2008-11
Youth Crime and Prevention Strategy
Local Domestic Violence Policy (Domestic Abuse – No Excuse) and Violent Crime Action Plan
Draft Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy 2011-14
