Adult Supported Living – Procured Service Arrangement (PSA) Phase 13

South Lanarkshire Council is inviting providers to join a long-term Procured Service Arrangement (PSA) for adult supported living services, with an estimated total value of £225 million excluding VAT.

The arrangement will support vulnerable adults to live within their own homes and participate in their communities as independently as possible.

The Council is using a PSA under the Light Touch Rules of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. This approach is intended to support the principles of Self-Directed Support (SDS), including greater choice of provider for people receiving services.

The PSA will operate for 15 years and will remain open to new applications throughout its lifetime. Providers that are unsuccessful during the initial evaluation can reapply, with no limit on the number of applications that may be submitted during the term.

Lots Available

The opportunity is divided into two lots.

Lot 1 – Standard Care

Standard Care covers nine service categories:

• People with learning disabilities
• People with physical disabilities
• People with mental health problems
• People with acquired or traumatic brain injury
• People who are hearing impaired
• People who are visually impaired
• People with autism
• People with substance misuse or addiction problems
• People receiving palliative or end-of-life care

Providers may apply across the relevant categories, with individual contracts awarded in accordance with the Council’s Call on Procedure.

The Council has confirmed that there is no guaranteed value or volume of services available through the PSA.

Lot 2 – Enhanced Care

Enhanced Care is intended for vulnerable adults assessed by the Council as requiring a higher level of support.

The service applies where an individual’s needs require staff with advanced skills and validated competencies who can routinely respond to unpredictable and high-risk situations.

Providers cannot submit a bid solely for Lot 2.

No prices are being requested for Lot 2 at this stage.

Contract Information

• Buyer: South Lanarkshire Council
• Reference: SLC/PS/SW/18/001
• Deadline: 5 March 2027, 12:00pm
• Contract Value: £225,000,000 excluding VAT
• Delivery Length: 180 months / 15 years
• Tender Link: Public Contracts Scotland – PCS-Tender, Project Code 32659

The procurement is being conducted through an open procedure and tenders must be submitted electronically in English.

The Council expects a new procurement process to take place in 2034.

Evaluation Criteria

Both lots will be evaluated using the following weighting:

• Quality – 95%
• Price – 5%

Providers must also satisfy the applicable selection, financial, technical and professional requirements set out within the procurement documents.

Care Inspectorate Requirements

Providers must demonstrate a score of 3 or above in the Care and Support themed area of their latest Care Inspectorate inspection report.

South Lanarkshire Council will verify this information directly with the Care Inspectorate.

Providers must also confirm their registration with the Care Inspectorate as part of the required procurement declarations.

Workforce and Regulatory Requirements

All individuals involved in delivering the contract must be appropriately vetted in accordance with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

Where required, staff must also be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

Providers will be required to supply relevant information concerning the registration status of staff delivering services.

UK-based bidders must hold a valid Companies House registration or, where they are not registered, provide evidence satisfactory to the Council confirming that they trade from the stated address under the organisation name provided.

Technical Experience

For Lot 1, bidders must provide three detailed examples of relevant experience for each selected Standard Care sub-category.

Providers applying for Lot 2 must also supply three examples of relevant Enhanced Care experience.

The required evidence must be submitted using the Council’s Technical Experience Response Template.

Financial and Insurance Requirements

The Council will assess bidders’ financial standing using profitability, liquidity and gearing measures, with providers normally required to pass at least two of the three financial ratios.

Providers must also hold, or commit to obtaining before the commencement of a contract, the following insurance:

• Employer’s Liability Insurance – £10 million
• Public Liability Insurance – £5 million
• Professional Indemnity Insurance – £5 million

The required insurance must be maintained throughout the relevant Call on Period and for at least six years following the expiry or termination of a Call on Contract.

Community Benefits

Community benefits form part of the requirement.

Providers are being asked to identify the community benefits they could deliver where they are awarded a Call on Contract. These benefits must arise specifically from the contract award and benefit the South Lanarkshire Council geographical area.

The £225 million PSA represents a substantial long-term opportunity for supported living providers across South Lanarkshire. Its open structure will allow new providers to apply throughout the arrangement while supporting greater provider choice for adults receiving care through Self-Directed Support.

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