The most common system enquiries during the 2023 contract tender and their answers, advice on managing applications (information for all providers)

Please find below the most common system enquiries received so far to the Market Intelligence inbox around starting applications and their solutions. There is also useful information on managing your applications. This information can be found in the Clarification log below;

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There is also a reminder of how to access support.

Starting applications;

How do I to start an application for the 2023 contracts if I already have a 2018 contract? (Clarification Tech 2)

If you already have 2018 contract and want to apply for a 2023 contract, either for a new provider or adding a contract to an existing provider, please follow the steps from slide 17 in the presentation which you can download below:

Care Homes and Supported Living 2023 contract briefing

A recording of the presentation is also available below:

Care Homes and Supported Living 2023 contract briefing recording

If I have previously started but not submitted my first application for a 2018 contract, how do I change this to a 2023 contract application? (Clarification Tech 1)

Please see below the 2023 instructions for care providers who have never been awarded a contract through CareMatch Portal, but who have partially completed, but not submitted, a 2018 contract application.

1. Log in to your CareMatch Portal account.

2. Click on ‘Continue Registration’

3. Click on ‘Provider contracts’ button at the top of the screen (Number 4)

4. You will see your previous 2018 contract choice highlighted

5. Untick your selections from this contract

6. Click on the 2023 contract you wish to apply for and tick your selections

7. Continue with your application, reviewing and amending the information previously submitted, as necessary

Managing applications

How do I access an application I have already started and avoid starting multiple applications? (Clarification Tech 3)

To find an application you have already started, please follow the steps from slides 21-23 in the care home and supported living presentation, which can be downloaded below:

Care Homes and Supported Living 2023 contract briefing

A recording of the presentation is also available below:

Care Homes and Supported Living 2023 contract briefing recording

Please follow slide 22-24 in the home support sensory loss briefing, which can be downloaded below:

Home Support Specialism - Sensory Loss 2023 contract briefing

A recording of the presentation is also available below:

Home Support Specialism - Sensory Loss 2023 contract briefing recording

How do I delete applications I have started in error and no longer want? (Clarification Tech 4)

The following slides cover how to delete applications that you have started in error and no longer want;

Please follow slides 21-23 in the care home and supported living presentation, which can be download below:

Care Homes and Supported Living 2023 contract briefing

A recording of the presentation is also available below:

Care Homes and Supported Living 2023 contract briefing recording

Please follow slide 22-24 in the home support sensory loss briefing, which can be downloaded below;

Home Support Specialism - Sensory Loss 2023 contract briefing

A recording of the presentation is also available below:

Home Support Specialism - Sensory Loss 2023 contract briefing recording

Reminder of support available;

How can I get support with the CareMatch Portal during the tender?

CareMatch Portal Support Step 1

Review the tender instructions document and any guidance in the CareMatch Portal, to check you are entering the correct type of information.

CareMatch Portal Support Step 2

Review the CareMatch Portal User guide for instructions, which can be found here:

User Guide for providers using Care Match Portal | Birmingham City Council

CareMatch Portal Support Step 3

Check the Clarification Log and bulletins, as we may have published some further information already to support you:

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CareMatch Portal Support Step 4

Only after you have attempted to resolve your technical issue using the above support, should you contact the Council’s Market Intelligence Team via email at:marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk

Please ensure you give as much detail as possible in your email, including screenshots where possible and which stage of the process you are stuck at. The team will respond either by email or will contact you by phone if they cannot resolve easily by email.

Please be aware once again that the Market Intelligence Team can only answer technical questions relating to the CareMatch Portal and not about any other aspect of the tender process. Please see guidance above for how to raise procurement/tender related questions.

How do I ask questions during the tender period not related to the use of CareMatch Portal

As the tender process has now launched, there will be restrictions on the contact Commissioners may be able to have. Please do not contact Commissioners in relation to any aspect of the tender.

To ensure the tender process is fair and transparent, support will need to be accessed as follows:

Procurement Support Step 1 – Check the Guidance Document

Should you have questions about the procurement exercise or how to complete the Questionnaire, you should check the relevant guidance document which is available from the list of dropdown documents under each contract heading on the CareMatch Portal:

• For Care Homes or Supported Living 2023, please read document “001 P0996 FCA SQ Instruction Doc FINAL”
• For a Home Support Sensory Loss 2023 contract, please read document “001 P0995 Sensory Loss Framework Instructions Doc FINAL”

Procurement Support Step 2 – check the Clarification Log

Check the Clarification Log to see if your question has already been asked and answered:

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Procurement Support Step 3 – raise a clarification question via the CareMatch Portal

Raise a clarification via the Questions function in the CareMatch Portal. The answers to these questions will be published regularly here:

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