Accessible Procurement Strategy Bernie Bradley Access Officer

1. Accessible Procurement Strategy Bernie Bradley Access Officer

2. County Monaghan

3. Monaghan a Profile • Monaghan’s population is a little over 54,000 • 74% of the population live in population areas of 1000 people or less. • Isolation from services is a common problem in the county, this issue is more significant for older people and people with a disability. • Accessibility, in particular to services and information is hugely significant in a rural county like Monaghan

4. A little has to go a long way! • Monaghan will always get one of the smallest pieces of pie in the distribution of central government funds. • Rates in the county are at a minimum. • Until the end of 2008 there were no development contributions in Monaghan. • The opportunity to securing funding to improve accessibility of existing buildings and facilities is very limited. • With limited funds available a different approach was taken-

5. How can we make Monaghan Accessible? • Making Monaghan Accessible – Sets out what our obligations are within the Disability Act 2005 and how we can met those obligations. • Awareness -As a priority we aim is to ensure that every member of staff and elected member understands what accessibility is and why accessibility is important and how this work will impact on the communities we serve, in particular people with a disability. • Being practical. We are not in a financial position to correct all the inaccessible practice of the past, but our investment is on the future,

6. Some key success to date? • Making Monaghan Accessible – Implementation plan • Accessible information pack • Accessible communications policy • Disability proofing template • Accessible procurement strategy • Accessible way finding signage project • Making Monaghan Accessible Logo

7. Why develop an accessible procurement strategy? Procurement of built works projects throughout the country have rarely if ever considered people with a disability and their needs as part of an overall process In the consultation for the development of Making Monaghan Accessible, procurement was one of the most frequent issues raised. Arising from this, the development of an accessible procurement strategy was named as a priority action in our implementation plan.

8. How was The strategy developed ? • Examined recent practice,looking for models of good practice. • Identifying a case study • Documenting the need for an accessible procurement process. • Developing a practical procurement template incorporating accessibility. • Testing the water

9. What is contained in the Accessible procurement strategy • What is procurement? • Disability Act 2005 and the implications for procurement. • A brief explanation of the European Union (EU) Procurement Rules and the Build for All1 initiative. • An outline of a typical procurement process. • An approach to illustrate how accessibility can be built into the procurement process • What is involved in the context of specific procurement projects with consideration

10. Typical Procurement Process • Appraisal – the decision to invest • Planning the procurement • Drafting the specification • Drafting the contract conditions • Advertisement and selection of contractors, suppliers or economic operators • Invitation to tender • Contract award • Contract management and control • Contract completion and post project evaluation

11. Accessibility & procurement process • Identifying the relevance of Accessibility to the project • When a project is highly relevant to the Disability Act • Appointing an Accessibility Specialist • Providing adequate and relevant training to all staff involved in the process. • Disability/Accessibility Proofing of the Procurement Process • Development of sign-off procedures.

12. Testing the water • In order to assess how the accessible procurement strategy would operate in practice it was decided to test its usefulness on an upcoming project. • The purpose of this exercise was primarily to see how effective an accessible procurement strategy would be in practice and how easy it would be to implement it.

13. Redevelopment of Billy Fox Park • Monaghan Local Authorities were involved in developing invitations to tender for the redevelopment of a recreational park in the south of the county. • It was decided to use the objectives of the accessible procurement policy within this project. • A public consultation event was carried out as a preliminary part of the procurement process. • Accessible play opportunities for children and accessible walkways for adults were highlighted within the public consultation.

14. Billy Fox Park Redevelopment Tender Document • The Redevelopment plan would include: • A number of small children’s play areas located throughout the park • Accessible walkway through the forest park • Sensory play and information opportunities for people with disabilities • An informative/innovative nature/habit trail (including the habitat of the river) • A significant and fitting commemoration to Senator Billy Fox • History/information boards • Monument/sculpture

15. Billy Fox Park Redevelopment Tender Document • Proposals should: • Not have a negative impact on the current habitat and wildlife within the park • Include adequate seating and picnicking areas • Include sensory activities & opportunities to allow people with learning disabilities to experience the park. • Include adequate lighting and signage throughout the park • Include adequate accessible parking facilities • Work within the natural environment of the park • Adequate and practical accessible toilet facilities.

16. Assessment Criteria Tenders will be assessed to determine which is the most economically advantageous tender under the following criteria: Quality (70%) 80 marks out of 100 Price (20%) 20 marks out of 100 Accessibility (10%) 10 marks out of 100 Tenders may be invited to interview. Priority will be given to tenders promoting and addressing accessibility for people with a disability. Billy Fox Park Redevelopment Tender Document

17. Did it work!! In a nutshell yes! • By having accessibility as a key objective and part of the selection criteria it meant that the redevelopments of Billy Fox park will create and promote play and recreational opportunities for everyone in the community. • It is probably safe to say, that without accessibility being named in the tender document, that the accessible features included in the successful proposal would not have been included. • The project selected in this process had incorporated accessibility as a key part of their proposal.

18. Samples of Accessibility features • Removal of existing entrances to ensure accessible entrance. • Upgrading of existing bridges to ensure wheelchair access • Accessible footbridge to allow visitors to cross the river • Accessible play equipment in play areas. • Children’s discovery area with sensory play opportunities. • Habitat information trail with tactile signage and accessible listening points.

19. The learning ! • Accessibility needs to be central to whole procurement process. • Local Authorities need to lead the way by example • Staff developing and assessing the procurement process need to be training in implementing the Accessible procurement strategy.

20. Copies of the accessible procurement strategy are available