Estate Services — Periodic and Routine Grounds Maintenance and Estate Services.

Descriptions

The Contracting Authority owns and manages more than 163 general needs, sheltered and supported housing schemes in and around Northern Ireland. The Contracting Authority's mission is to create strong and sustainable communities where people flourish and they are committed to making a positive difference to peoples's lives.The quality of the Grounds Maintenance Services the Contracting Authority provides is therefore of paramount importance in ensuring customer satisfaction in the services they deliver. The Contracting Authority are seeking therefore to appoint a Service Provider who can deliver Grounds Maintenance Services to the highest possible standards and can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Contracting Authority a proven track record in the delivery of these services.Expressions of interest are welcome from not only suitable Service Providers but also social enterprises providing they are able to comply with the minimum levels for participation as set out herewith.The successful Service Provider must be able to show a commitment to providing effective services that provide value for money to the Contracting Authority and its tenants and customers. The successful Service Provider will need to have demonstrated a commitment to addressing welfare to work/worklessness, focussing on the young and long term unemployed on estates. The Contracting Authority will also be seeking to encourage the Service Provider to engage with social enterprises in the delivery of services and will require the successful Service Provider to co-operate with the Contracting Authority in working towards a partnership approach to operating the service and managing the contract.The Contract will be for 12 months commencing on or about the 1.7.2015 and with the option for an extension to this initial period for a period of up to a further 24 months all subject to provisions for earlier termination including a break clause and annual renewals based on meeting and maintaining Key Performance Indicators.The Contracting Authority reserves the right to withdraw from this procurement procedure at anytime without awarding a contract. Applicants are to be responsible for all of the costs and expenses they incur as a result of participating in this procurement process irrespective of whether the procedure is completed or is abandoned without any appointment.Tenderers should note that, during the Contract period, other Department for Social Development Registered Housing Associations in Northern Ireland may join the Employer by acceding to the Contract and require Works to be provided to them under the Contract. For a list of all Registered Housing Associations that may potentially seek to use this Contract, Tenderers should refer to the Department for Social Development website www.dsdni.gov.uk