APX058 – Framework for the Provision of Agency Nursing, Care, Support and Ancillary Staff

Apex Housing Association is establishing a multi-supplier framework for agency nursing, care, support and ancillary staff across its services and schemes in Northern Ireland.

The framework will provide access to suitably qualified and experienced agency workers for ad hoc, emergency and short-term staffing requirements.

Apex intends to appoint up to three suppliers to each lot. Suppliers will be ranked following evaluation, with assignments offered to the highest-ranked supplier first and passed to subsequent suppliers where the requirement cannot be met.

The framework has an estimated total value of £17 million including VAT.

Lots Available

Lot 1 – Provision of Agency Nursing Staff

This lot covers agency nursing staff and residential officers supporting nursing and residential care services operated by Apex Housing.

Estimated value: £2.5 million including VAT

Lot 2 – Agency Care, Support and Ancillary Staff

This lot covers temporary agency care, support and ancillary staff for ad hoc, emergency and short-term assignments across Apex Housing services and schemes.

Estimated value: £14.5 million including VAT

Contract Information

• Buyer: Apex Housing Association
• Deadline: 30 October 2026 at 12:00pm
• Contract Value: £17,000,000 including VAT
• Delivery Length: 4 January 2027 to 3 January 2029, with two optional 12-month extensions to 3 January 2031
• Tender Link: eTendersNI

Evaluation Criteria

Tenders will be evaluated on:

• Price – 60%
• Proposed Methodology for the Provision of Agency Staff – 25%
• Staff Training, Compliance & Safeguarding – 15%

Suppliers must also pass the Conditions of Participation stage before progressing through the award process.

Regulatory Requirements

For Lot 1, suppliers must either be registered with RQIA as a Nursing Agency by the tender submission deadline or have submitted an application for registration.

The framework represents a significant staffing opportunity for nursing, care and support recruitment providers capable of supplying temporary workers across Apex Housing services in Northern Ireland.

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