Cabinet considered a report seeking approval for a continued and increasing Council spend on assistive technology equipment and services with the aim of enabling people to remain in their own homes and remain as active and independent as possible.
Assistive Technology, including Telecare, was a range of equipment services provided in people’s own homes to enable them to remain independent and safe.
There were currently two contracts which combined to form assistive technology services: a contract for purchase of the equipment and a contract for purchase of the services that supported the use of the equipment . The contract for purchase of the equipment (contract A) was secured through a government framework agreement and it was proposed that this arrangement continue. The current contract for services (contract B) was due to expire on 31st March 2014. A procurement exercise was required for this to ensure continuity for existing customers and to support the increasing use and development of the services.
RESOLVED
That
1. Cabinet approves a continued and increasing Council spend on assistive technology equipment (Contract A) to a cumulative maximum of £2.1 million over 5 years, which includes Council expenditure as follows:
§ Current eligible customers under Fair Access to Care services; £1.5 million
§ Extra care housing customers (Supporting People funding currently); £0.6 million
2. Cabinet approves a higher total ceiling on the contract for equipment (Contract A) of £3.6 million over 5 years to allow for health and other partner spend in future to be purchased through the Council;
3. Cabinet approves a procurement exercise to retender for assistive technology services (Contract B). This tender will secure a call-off contract under an existing Framework Agreement by undertaking a mini-competition exercise with a supplier for up to four years, 2 years initially, with possible extensions of two one year terms;
4. Cabinet approves a continued and increased Council spend on assistive technology services (Contract B) to a cumulative maximum total of £4.6 million over five years, which includes Council expenditure as follows:
§ Current FACs eligible customers: £ 2.5 million
§ Extra Care housing customers: £ 2.1 million
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5. Cabinet approves a higher total maximum level of spend under the call-off contract for assistive technology equipment services(Contract B) than the Council maximum in order to allow for future purchasing on behalf of partner organisations including health. That maximum to be set at a cumulative total over the five years of £6.2 million;
6. authority be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care to award the call-off contract to the highest scoring bidder following a legally compliant procurement exercise and subsequently to enter into contracts;
7. authority for the allocation of actual Council spending, up to the maximum approved in this report, be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care, as part of the budget-setting process;
8. authority to work in partnership with and jointly commission assistive technology equipment and services on behalf of CCGs, health and other partners in future be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care, subject to any further approvals required in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.