Tendering for Home Care Services

It is very uncommon for at least one member of our bid team not to have a live project within this sector, and as such we have been able to gain a thorough understanding of best practice and its application throughout the procurement process for part B services within this specific industry.

We have also found that competition in the home care field is particularly high when compared to other areas, which means that those tendering have to be well versed in the procurement process, and in what the commissioning body is looking to see in the PQQ and tender responses.

PQQs for this service in particular are nothing short of a minefield, with many additional sections within it not seen in any other industry. For example, here are the contents of a previous PQQ for home care services:

• organisation information
• consortia or subcontracting arrangements
• financial information and requirements
• insurances
• business probity and legislative compliance
• health and safety
• equality and diversity
• previous experience
• quality certifications and systems
• complaints process and escalation procedures
• safeguarding policies and procedures
• personalisation of care
• electronic call monitoring
• partnering and community integration
• references

At first glance these headings may appear more than a little intimidating, and to add to this, the amount of detail and responses under each section can vary wildly from council to council. One authority may require detailed answers in response to some choice safeguarding questions, whereas another will simply require you to agree to abide by the local multi-agency safeguarding procedures, and to attach a compliant policy. Even this requirement can be less simple than it seems. You must go back through your policy and procedure for safeguarding adults and ensure its compliance with the multi-agency procedure. Many organisations simply attach their policy without checking to see if it is in contradiction with the authority’s policy.

If you are struggling to secure more council work through the PQQ and tender process for home care services, why not contact us today and one of our expert bid team members will be able to assist you with your requirements. Remember, we can help as little or as much as you would like, from a review to a full written tender submission, all helping you to secure more contract work.