Direct Payments — Prepaid Card Service

Portsmouth City Council (the 'Council') is inviting suitably qualified and experienced suppliers to submit tenders for the provision of a prepaid card service to eligible clients in receipt of direct payments. The service will provide high quality support and easy access to funds so users can purchase their own care support.

The target date for award of contract is 12 February 2021 with commencement to follow on 1 April 2021. The contract will run for an initial term of 4 years and may then be extended on a rolling basis in increments to be agreed.

Based on current client take up, spend via the contract is estimated at approx. GBP 42 000 per annum. However it is anticipated that demand may increase year on year and could reach, and potentially significantly exceed, an overall approx. spend value of GBP 250 000 over the course of the initial 4-year contract term.

Application is via submission of tenders by 11 January 2021 at 12.00 via the Council's e-sourcing solution InTend.

Portsmouth City Council (the 'Council') is inviting suitably qualified and experienced suppliers to submit tenders for the provision of a prepaid card service to eligible clients in receipt of direct payments. The service will provide high quality support and easy access to funds so users can purchase their own care support.

The target date for award of contract is 12 February 2021 with commencement to follow on 1 April 2021. The contract will run for an initial term of 4 years and may then be extended on a rolling basis in increments to be agreed.

Based on current client take up, spend via the contract is estimated at approx. GBP 42 000 per annum. However it is anticipated that demand will increase year on year and could reach, and potentially significantly exceed, an overall approx. spend value of GBP 250 000 over the course of the initial 4 year contract term.

The aim of the service is to provide a direct payment provision to eligible clients that provides high quality support and easy access to funds so they can purchase their own care support, which enables clients to retain their independence whilst reducing the resource burden to the Council. The over-riding principle of this service is one of customer-focus: understanding clients' needs and that of the Council, and delivering a solution through a commitment to continuous improvement.

The service will provide a pre-paid bank card scheme that enables service users to access their funds as and when required, to purchase the care and support necessary to meet their particular needs. The service is currently provided to 55 individuals who are in receipt of a direct payment however this number is expected to increase over the life of the contract from the current level to those estimated in the service specification.

The following Council services are currently using prepaid cards:

• adult social care direct payments,

• carer centre short breaks,

• carers centre direct payments,

• continuing healthcare — personal health budgets,

• appointeeship,

• client Affairs,

• children's direct payments,

• educational transport,

• children's respite for short breaks,

• care leaver grants,

• small projects.

The specification for the service is included within document pack accessible via the Council's e-sourcing solution InTend, however the key elements for delivery can be summarised as follows:

— an accessible payment system that benefits service users and is financially inclusive;

— ability for the cardholder to be able to respond to changing legislation which may impact on direct payments in the future;

— ability to monitor and manage money spent in real time in an efficient and effective manner and spent appropriately;

— ability to 'reclaim' council funds in the event that allocation is no longer valid;

— streamlined back office function providing efficient administration processes for both allocation of funds, auditing and verification of expenditure.

Over the course of the contract the Council may apply variations in terms of volume, variation of services and addition of further associated services in order to meet any changes in demand from Council services and end clients in accordance with Regulations 72 1) a) and e) of the Public Contracts Regulations (2015).

The Council will run the procurement procedure in accordance with the open procedure as defined within the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) to the following timetable:

Invitation to tender published: 2 December 2020

Deadline for clarification questions: 23 December 2020

Return of tender submissions: 11 January 2021 at 12.00

Notification of preferred bidder and standstill commencement: 2 February 2021

Contract award: 12 February 2021

Contract commences: 1 April 2021.

Application is via completed tender submission by the deadline stated above via the Council's e-sourcing system InTend which will be used to administrate the procurement process.

The target date for award of contract is 12 February 2021 to commence on 1 April 2021. The contract will run for an initial term of 4 years with the option to extend on a rolling basis in increments to be agreed.

Whilst there is an option to extend the contract on a rolling basis this option, along with the associated increment durations, will be at the sole discretion of the Council.

The per annum value of the contract has been based on current usage so should be viewed only as an initial value. This value has been calculated in accordance with Regulation 6 19) b) of the Public Contract Regulations (2015).

Over the course of the contract the Council may apply variations in terms of volume, variation of services and addition of further associated services in order to meet any changes in demand from Council services and end clients in accordance with Regulations 72 1) a) and e) of the Public Contracts Regulations (2015).

It is expected that usage will increase over the contract term as more services users opt for pre-paid cards to purchase their own care support which will increase the volume of users and subsequent value of the contract. Additionally, the contract also has the option to extend on a rolling basis therefore the Council will not be constrained by the value range given in this notice.

Autumn 2024.