FRAMEWORK BRIEF Consultancy & Advisory Services
FRAMEWORK OVERVIEW The Consultancy and Advisory Services tender exercise was conducted by HealthTrust Europe (HTE) and designed to support the NHS and other Public Sector Organisations in managing the dynamics of the consultancy market, offering a simple, compliant route for the procurement of a range of expert consultancy services at competitive rates. It offers users the flexibility of allowing both direct call-off and further competition under the provisions of the framework agreement. HTE procured this framework agreement in compliance with the restricted procedure set out in the Public Contract Regulations 2015. A Contract Notice (2016/S 221-7402825) was published on 11 th November 2016. Each of the appointed suppliers has been rigorously vetted in terms of their quality and value propositions through a robust, compliant evaluation process. Period of the framework agreement: 1st March 2017 to 28 th February 2019 There is a 2-year extension option available. List of Lots: Lot 1: Business Services Lot 2: Resource Management Services Lot 4: Supply Chain Management Services Lot 5: Financial Services Lot 6: ICT and Digital Services Lot 7: Infrastructure Services Free to access Compliant route to market Competitive, capped rates Wide range of expertise available Page 1 of 11
SERVICES INCLUDED Each Lot can include but is not limited to the following services: Lot 1 Business Services Consultancy and Advisory Services for process redesign and improvement, organisational and change management, programme and project management and management consultancy services, and long-term plans of action designed to achieve a particular goal or set of goals or objectives. The supplier shall help organisations to improve their performance, through the analysis of existing organisational problems and development of plans for improvement. The supplier will address their most critical challenges, transforming their organisation. The approach may combine insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the organisation, ensuring that the organisation achieves a sustainable competitive advantage and secures lasting results. The Lot will include organisational and change management services helping Participating Authorities create effective organisations, enabling them to achieve and sustain their strategy and vision through implementing appropriate structures and by supporting infrastructure, processes, systems, values and behaviours. The Lot will also support programme and project management. This Lot will have many elements of other Lots but requirements will not be wholly focused on any particular discipline as other Lots might be. Lot 2 Resource Management Services Consultancy and Advisory Services will include human resource management and workforce optimisation services. This Lot focuses on the strategic and administrative discipline of hiring and developing employees so that they become more valuable to the organisation, providing knowledge and understanding of national policies and initiatives which are relevant to this work, with the pragmatism to apply these to the specification. In addition, the supplier will provide a workforce optimisation plan which is demand management led, providing advice on changes in personnel requirements and objectives when optimising the scheduling of staff. Suppliers may also work with the Participating Authority to implement the plan where this is in the scope of their requirements. Advice that may be sought in this area includes but is not limited to: Total Workforce planning/modelling Training and development Executive management training Coaching Succession planning Analysis of staffing and workflow Identification of opportunities for efficiencies Scheduling of staff Staffing strategy Lot 3 Marketing Services was withdrawn after the initial qualification stage. Page 2 of 11
SERVICES INCLUDED Lot 4 Supply Chain Management Services Consultancy and Advisory Services to include insourcing and outsourcing, procurement and supply chain management and optimisation. This Lot focuses on advising the Participating Authority on procurement and sourcing strategy; maximising value from its supply chain activities. Advice in this area may include but is not limited to: Benefits realisation Core business analysis Offshoring and Inshoring Business process outsourcing Knowledge process outsourcing Lot 5 Financial Services Consultancy and Advisory Services to include financial management, accountancy, pension fund management, insurance, actuarial and risk management services. Within this Lot the supplier will provide the Participating Authority with financial advice and support, identifying the right financial solution for the organisation. The supplier may also work with the Participating Authority to identify areas of financial over payment or under recovery. Some providers on this Lot can provide Regulated Activities as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority. Only registered, authorised or exempt providers may provide these services. The Lot can include but is not limited to the following: Financial strategy Accounting services VAT reconciliation/reclaim Invoice reconciliation/reclaim Financial forecasting and planning Auditing Drafting financial standing orders Financial planning Lot 6 ICT and Digital Services Consultancy and Advisory Services to include consultancy on optimising ICT hardware and software as well as all advisory services on digital deployment. Under this Lot the supplier will work with the Participating Authority to identify where they can better employ technology and digital solutions to improve service delivery and maximise productivity. The action plan produced should look at innovative use of information and technology and how this can support improvements and create efficiencies in the services of the Participating Authority. Page 3 of 11
SERVICES INCLUDED Lot 7 Infrastructure Services Consultancy and Advisory Services to include consulting on energy efficiency, construction, environmental economics, Health and Safety, and all building consultations. Under this Lot the supplier will work with the Participating Authority to scope plans and/or designs for building modification and new build projects. The supplier may also work with the Participating Authority to implement the plan where this is in the scope of their requirements. Environmental economics involves detailed understanding about various environmental factors, their influence in the economy, their functions upon the environment and their impacts upon the life of the people of the present and future. Environmental economics should also aim to solve problems taking into account issues such as global warming and finding ways for the organisation to develop in the right way to support its vision and its environment. The supplier may be responsible for developing, testing and using techniques to value and communicate social, economic and environmental costs and benefits to allow their inclusion in qualitative and quantitative environmental appraisals. The Lot can include but is not limited to the following: Building efficient buildings Architectural Design Surveyor Services Electrical Engineering Structural Surveys Page 4 of 11
Lot 1: Business Services Lot 2: Resource Management Services Lot 4: Supply Chain Management Services Lot 5: Financial Services Lot 6: ICT and Digital Services Lot 7: Infrastructure Services FRAMEWORK SUPPLIERS 2020 Delivery Ltd Accenture (UK) Ltd Acuity Business Solutions Ltd Adept Management Ltd Arcadis LLP Atos IT Services UK Ltd Attain Health Management Services Ltd Ayming UK Ltd BDO LLP Berkshire Consultancy Ltd Berthold Bauer VAT Consultants Ltd Brooklowe Consulting Ltd Carnall Farrar Ltd CDW Limited Certeco Ltd Clarity Tech Limited Efficio Ltd Eta Projects Ltd Frontline Consultants Ltd GE Healthcare Finnamore Ltd Grant Thornton UK LLP Green & Kassab Ltd HaskoningDHV UK Ltd i3works Ltd impower Consulting Ltd Jigsaw Business Group Ltd KPMG LLP Framework Status Key: Supplier available against this Lot Supplier not available against this Lot Page 5 of 11
Lot 1: Business Services Lot 2: Resource Management Services Lot 4: Supply Chain Management Services Lot 5: Financial Services Lot 6: ICT and Digital Services Lot 7: Infrastructure Services FRAMEWORK SUPPLIERS Liaison Financial Services Ltd Linea Group Ltd / Linea Recruiting Ltd McKinsey & Company Inc. Meridian Productivity Ltd NHS Arden and Greater East Midland CSU NHS South Central & West CSU North of England CSU PA Consulting Services Ltd Pick Everard Ltd Pinnegar Hayward Design Ltd PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Tenders-UK The Boston Consulting Group UK LLP The Change Maker Group Ltd Tricordant Ltd Unipart Logistics Ltd Verita Consultants LLP Framework Status Key: Supplier available against this Lot Supplier not available against this Lot Page 6 of 11
KEY BENEFITS Free to access: There is no charge to customers for accessing this framework agreement. Quick and easy to access: Once you have been set up to access the framework agreement, a call-off can be made either by direct access or further competition. The process is straightforward and simply requires that an order form/ access agreement be exchanged and completed to ensure your compliance. Compliant route to market: The framework will save procurement time and cost. It is fully compliant with the Public Contracts regulations and with EU procurement directives so you do not have to carry out a full EU compliant tender yourself. A wide range of expertise available: The framework agreement includes 45 specialist suppliers across six Consultancy and Advisory Services categories. Competitive, capped rates: Each of the vetted suppliers appointed to the framework agreement has tendered fixed rates for each grade of consultant. Volume level discounts are available against project costs. There are no regional pricing variations and no charges for travelling to customer sites. Assigned support: HTE will provide support for call-off processes and the ongoing management of call-off agreements. Page 7 of 11
ACCESS TO THE FRAMEWORK Consultancy and Advisory Services can be accessed via this framework by all Public Sector bodies, including: Central Government Departments and their Executive Agencies Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) National Health Service (NHS) Bodies Health Boards, NHS Trusts, Community Health Councils and other constituent Bodies of the NHS in Wales NHS Scotland and its constituent Bodies Health and Social Care Trusts, Health Agencies and other constituent Bodies of the NHS in Northern Ireland Local Authorities Police Forces and other Emergency Services Educational establishments Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) Registered Charities Devolved and other administrations within the British Isles Her Majesty s Prison Service The Ministry of Defense Page 8 of 11
ACCESS TO THE FRAMEWORK The framework can be accessed via direct award or mini-competition. Further information relating to these options is provided below. Direct award Direct awards can be made where you are able to identify the supplier offering your organisation best value for money from the framework agreement criteria for a specific Lot. You are able to vary the weightings within a specified range via the Standard Service Proforma; which HealthTrust Europe will apply to the criteria to confirm the supplier to be recommend for award. A beneficiary notice will be issued by HTE to the supplier and a proposal document should be agreed by both parties appending the HTE call-off contract terms and conditions to formalise the contract. Criterion Framework Weighting Standard Services Weighting Range Price 20% 20-30% Quality 80% 70-80% Implementation 20% 15-25% Contract Performance 20% 15-25% Value for Money 20% 15-25% Quality Assurance 10% 5-15% Training and Communications 10% 5-15% Mini Competition Where the framework criteria does not provide you with sufficient information to identify the supplier offering best value for money, a mini-competition may be carried out. You should contact your Account Manager if you are an HTE Member Trust or our Customer Care team on 0845 887 5000 or email: customercare@htepg.com if you are an Associate Member for further details. Page 9 of 11
FAQS What should I do next? For non-hte account managed authorities, please contact our Customer Care team on 0845 887 5000 or by email at customercare@htepg.com. Existing HTE Members should talk to their Account Manager for further details. Once you have made the decision to use the agreement, transfer can be completed promptly. How do I know which supplier to use? Where the terms laid out in the framework agreement provide sufficient detail for the Participating Authority to be able to identify the best supplier for that particular requirement, the Participating Authority may determine the most economically advantageous bid by: a) Applying the original weighting to the framework evaluation criteria in the evaluation and selection of suppliers or; b) Amending the weighting within the Standard Services Weighting Range set out in Appendix A against the relevant framework evaluation criteria and forwarding the proforma to HTE to identify the supplier with the most economically advantageous tender based on these revised weightings. HTE members should liaise with their Account Manager for further details. Non-account managed Authorities should contact our Customer Care team on 0845 887 5000 or email customercare@htepg.com. How do I sign up to use the agreement? If you are an HTE account managed authority, you may contact your Account Manager or the Customer Care team directly. For non-account managed authorities please contact our Customer Care team. To ensure compliance to the framework agreement an order form/access agreement should be exchanged between the Authority and HealthTrust Europe, where the Authority is an Associate Member of HTE. All Authorities will need to agree a proposal document which sets out the agreement between the Authority and awarded supplier. HTE requires a copy of this. How can I see more detail regarding the services which are included on this framework? Services are tailored to meet the Authority s requirements. These requirements can be discussed with your chosen or prospective supplier(s) after which a proposal may be submitted. The broad categories of services provided under the provisions of the framework are set out in this briefing. How can I be sure that this framework can be used by my organisation and remain compliant? The framework agreement was publicly advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (2016/S 221-7402825) on 11th November 2016 under the restricted procedure. Each of the successful bidders has been rigorously vetted in terms of their quality and value propositions through a series of qualification, technical and commercial responses required for evaluation. A copy of the OJEU notice can be obtained by contacting the Customer Care team on 0845 887 5000 or email customercare@htepg.com. How long is the framework valid for? The framework agreement is valid for an initial period of 2 years (1 st March 2017-28 th February 2019). There is an option for HTE to extend this agreement for a period of 2 years. Call-off contracts formed during the life of the framework agreement may extend beyond the framework expiry date for a period. Page 10 of 11
What is a Call-off Contract? A call-off contract is a written agreement between the Authority (or a group of Authorities) and a supplier which sets out the way in which the supplier and Authority will work together under the framework agreement, in order to get the best value from the framework agreement and meet specific requirements. Authorities may choose to sign a calloff contract with one or several suppliers in order to meet their needs. A call-off contract is highly recommended as best practice, providing an effective way of managing the supplier, monitoring service levels and managing expectations regarding service. In all instances HTE should be informed once an Authority has entered into a contract with a supplier under this framework agreement. What is a Standard Services Proforma? Where a Participating Authority wishes to revise the weighting of the framework agreement criteria, in line with their requirements, they should complete a Standard Services Proforma (available upon request). The price element shall be fixed. Please note that fixed means that the original weighting must be applied. The Participating Authority will submit the completed Standard Services Proforma to HTE who will apply the weightings selected by the Participating Authority to the relevant framework evaluation criteria for each required individual Lot to arrive at the most economically advantageous tender across all Lots required by the Participating Authority. The Most Economically Advantageous Tender shall be that of the supplier who scores the highest across all applicable Lots. The Participating Authority will be informed of the outcome. How is pricing determined? Pricing for projects will be capped regardless of the outcome i.e. if the work takes more time the Customer benefits and if work takes less time the supplier benefits. If the scope of the requirements dramatically increases or decreases due to unforeseen circumstances the two parties shall revisit the pricing to reflect the change of requirement. Volume level discounts are available against project costs. There are three pricing options available as detailed below: a) Fixed Price - This will be based on an agreed number of hours for agreed grades using the supplier s fixed price. Payment will be made monthly following approval of timesheets and invoices. b) Fixed Price with Milestones - This will be based on an agreed number of hours for agreed grades using the supplier s fixed price. Payment will be made following completion of set milestones, deliverables or performance outcomes as agreed by both parties or detailed in the contract documents prior to contract commencement. Both parties will agree, prior to contract commencement, the percentage of the fixed fee attached to each milestone. c) Performance Agreement (attainable via mini competition only) - For more complex engagements, the Participating Authority can enter into a performance agreement with the supplier and agree to share any financial benefits/gains as a result of the appointment. The share of benefits will be detailed in the minicompetition tender documents and will be agreed before entering into a contract. The underlying price must relate to the maximum framework rates and discounts offered by the supplier as outlined in the Commercial Envelope and Rate Cards. Are travel expenses and other disbursements included? Generally, expenses shall not be chargeable under the framework. However, the Participating Authority will have the option to enter into a local agreement with the supplier where an appropriate expenses arrangement is agreed as part of the call-off contract. This is likely to occur in circumstances where the quality and consistency of service delivery to the Participating Authority is at risk and where all other options have been explored to ensure the delivery of a quality and satisfactory service. The Participating Authority reserves the right not to agree to an expenses arrangement and to continue to have the contract delivered at the framework rates. Alternatively, if necessary, the Participating Authority may opt to seek an alternative framework supplier. Page 11 of 11