Provision of financial support to entitled service users.
Prior information notice
Services
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)
Home Office - United Kingdom Border Agency
9th Floor, Green Park House 29 Wellesley Road
For the attention of: Michelle O'Driscoll
CR0 2AJ Croydon
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 2087601210
E-mail:
Fax: +44 2087601243
Internet address(es):
General address of the contracting authority: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
I.2)Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local sub-divisions
I.3)Main activity
Social protection
I.4)Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities
The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: yes
Section II.B: Object of the contract (Supplies or services)
II.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:
Provision of financial support to entitled service users.
II.2)Type of contract and place of delivery or of performance
Service category No 27: Other services
UK. Nationally throughout the United Kingdom, primarily within major towns and cities.
UK. Nationally throughout the United Kingdom, primarily within major towns and cities.
NUTS code UK
II.3)Information on framework agreement
II.4)Short description of nature and quantity or value of supplies or services:
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) requires the provision of a number of payment services which relate to the support of eligible services users.
Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, UKBA is obliged to support persons who are applying for asylum in the UK, as well as those who have been refused asylum but are unable to leave the UK immediately due to circumstances beyond their control.. Payments are also required for persons leaving the UK under an initiative know as the Facilitated Returns Scheme (FRS).
The provision of financial support will comprise medium volume, low value, regular and one-off payments to individuals located throughout the UK, as well as the provision of a pre-paid card to those leaving the UK under the FRS scheme, for use in their designated country. Key service requirements will include: the intended individual receiving the exact authorised amount in a timely manner; individuals not being stigmatised in any way; the system being secure and appropriate and timely management information being provided to the Authority.
The Support Payments Project will aim to put in place one national contract which covers the following market categories: (i) Cash Payment Services; (ii) Pre-payment Card (non cash) based services for use in retail outlets in the UK; and (iii) Pre-paid Card (cash) services for individuals to obtain cash abroad. The Authority may wish to add further similar requirements in the future, which will require flexibility from potential providers.
The contract will be primarily for the Authority with the option for it to be used by other Government Departments and associated bodies where appropriate.
Estimated cost excluding VAT: 3 000 000,00 GBP
Under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, UKBA is obliged to support persons who are applying for asylum in the UK, as well as those who have been refused asylum but are unable to leave the UK immediately due to circumstances beyond their control.. Payments are also required for persons leaving the UK under an initiative know as the Facilitated Returns Scheme (FRS).
The provision of financial support will comprise medium volume, low value, regular and one-off payments to individuals located throughout the UK, as well as the provision of a pre-paid card to those leaving the UK under the FRS scheme, for use in their designated country. Key service requirements will include: the intended individual receiving the exact authorised amount in a timely manner; individuals not being stigmatised in any way; the system being secure and appropriate and timely management information being provided to the Authority.
The Support Payments Project will aim to put in place one national contract which covers the following market categories: (i) Cash Payment Services; (ii) Pre-payment Card (non cash) based services for use in retail outlets in the UK; and (iii) Pre-paid Card (cash) services for individuals to obtain cash abroad. The Authority may wish to add further similar requirements in the future, which will require flexibility from potential providers.
The contract will be primarily for the Authority with the option for it to be used by other Government Departments and associated bodies where appropriate.
Estimated cost excluding VAT: 3 000 000,00 GBP
Lots
This contract is divided into lots: noII.5)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
66172000, 22430000, 30160000, 48812000, 64114000, 64216200, 66110000, 66115000, 72253000, 72316000, 75130000, 75310000, 85312400
II.6)Scheduled date for start of award procedures
18.6.2012
II.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): yes
II.8)Additional information:
The current service is primarily provided via an IT based solution, with payment details being transmitted to approximately 400 designated outlets nationally (currently provided through the Post Office) for those eligible for cash support, and to approximately 8 800 retail outlets for prepaid cards. The Authority will consider innovative ways of providing the service and solutions based around the existing system. Solutions involving the use of traditional vouchers or personal bank accounts are not suitable.
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1)Conditions relating to the contract
III.1.1)Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:
III.2)Conditions for participation
III.2.1)Information about reserved contracts
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1)Information about European Union funds
The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
VI.2)Additional information:
Further information can be obtained from the Authority at the address in Section I.
VI.3)Information on general regulatory framework
VI.4)Date of dispatch of this notice:
2.2.2012