Decision details

The report seeks approval to extend for one year Contract YORE-92UM45 for a Citywide drug and alcohol visiting support service. This contract was awarded in 2013 for a period of three years with an option to extend for one year. The contract was let and is managed by the Housing Independence Service which is part of the Communities Commissioning Service. The contract is delivered by DISC who won the contract through an open procurement process. It provides housing-related support to local people who previously used or are currently using drugs/and or alcohol.

That the current contract for a Citywide drug and alcohol visiting support service delivered by DISC (value £348,500) is extended for a further year from 31^st August 2017 to 30^th August 2018.

The contract continues to be strategically important to the Council in delivering its objectives for local people and there is in place a budget for this service until the end of August 2019.

DISC has been running the Citywide visiting service for nearly four years. The service provided is outcomes focussed and successfully meets the needs of clients with drug/and or alcohol support needs. DISC is exceeding the targets for utilisation and maintaining independent living and delivers value for money. The current contract (YORE-92UM45) has been extended for a year and expires on 31^st August 2017 includes an option to extend for a further year.

One alternative option is to bring the contract to an end and decommission the service. This is not desirable as it would remove housing-related support from local people with drug or alcohol problems. This may lead to failed tenancies, homelessness and an inability to resettle in the community following a period of detoxification, as well as potential growth of public health concerns.

Another option is to retender the service. This is not desirable as the current provider is meeting the targets in the contract at the price agreed in 2013 and the contract allows for this extension. Retendering the contract will create uncertainty for the current provider and might lead to service disruption. There have been no market developments that suggest that it would be advantageous to the Council to retender the contract at this time.