Contracts and Care: Navigating the Tender Process
What is a Tender? A tender allows care providers to establish working relationships with Councils, Clinical Commissioning Groups, the NHS, and other bodies. Most tenders are within the public sector, administered by Local Authorities. Still, private companies may also conduct ITTs (Invitation to Tender) to, for example, subcontract a portion of their work. Almost all public sector purchasing is done through a Dynamic Purchasing System or Special Purchasing Vehicle in the health and social care sector. This is a register of approved suppliers maintained by the council, from which they can match individuals with care needs to a suitable provider. This is the list of suppliers seeking to join by applying for a tender. In simple terms, a tender is an application or formal process in which a supplier/care provider expresses their interest in working with a council and then provides evidence of their suitability in meeting the needs of the council's individuals in need of care. W...