United Kingdom-Wakefield: Miscellaneous business-related services – Framework Lead

The current contract for Miscellaneous business-related services – Framework Lead is projected to end on 25-JUL-18 and may be available for retender.
Description:
Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:: Revenues and Benefits – Remote Processing.

Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance: Services
Service category No 6: Financial services a) Insurances services b) Banking and investment services
Main site or location of works, place of delivery or of performance: Wakefield, West Yorkshire, UK.
NUTS code UKE4

Information on framework agreement: Duration of the framework agreement
Duration in years: 4
Estimated total value of purchases for the entire duration of the framework agreement
Estimated value excluding VAT:
Range: between 800 000 and 1 600 000 GBP

Short description of the contract or purchase(s): Wakefield Council are looking to appoint one or two providers for the provision of external benefit processing of a) housing benefit and council tax support claims and b) for processing work associated with the issue of Council Tax bills.
The framework agreement will be split into the following 2 lots. The priority of the agreement will be the provision of lot 1, but lot 2 will be accessed as and when needed.
Lot One: All aspects of processing Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support claims, including processing of new claims, changes to claims, (including changes as a result of electronic notification from other agencies) recovery of Housing Benefit overpayments (not the physical collection), and reviews of Housing Benefit.
Lot Two: All aspects of processing Council Tax bills, calculation of Council Tax bills, awarding of discounts and exemptions and re-evaluation of Council Tax bill as a result of changes, recovery of unpaid bills (not the physical collection).
It is envisaged that the framework contract will commence on 1 June 2014 and will be put in place for a period of one year to 31.5.2015, with the option to extend the agreement annually by three further periods of one year making the final possible expiry date 31.5.2018. Extensions will be offered at the discretion of Wakefield Council.
The estimated level of spend of 800 000 GBP is based on use of lot 1 only over the life of the agreement, if the Council opts to invoke the use of lot 2 spend will increase accordingly.
Bidders must note that it is a mandatory requirement that the supplier appointed to deliver the service can demonstrate compliance with the UK Government’s regulations and guidelines for connecting to the PSN (Public Services Network) at the start of the contract and such accreditation must be in place throughout the length of the agreement.
The tender documents are available for suppliers to download from the YORtender system (www.yortender.co.uk) using reference YORE-9EFFRK. Bidders are required to register on this site in order to access the documentation. For assistance with registering on the YORtender site and/or accessing the documents, please contact +44 1670597136 or email yorkshiresupport@due-north.com.