{"id":2491,"date":"2021-03-24T11:29:50","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T11:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/public-procurement\/?p=2491"},"modified":"2021-04-30T09:46:05","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T08:46:05","slug":"baby-box-and-best-start-grant-re-let","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/public-procurement\/2021\/03\/24\/baby-box-and-best-start-grant-re-let\/","title":{"rendered":"Baby Box and Best Start Grant Re-Let"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Scottish Government Procurement Team are pleased to announce a new contract between Scottish Government and APS Group<\/a> (Scotland) to continue to support the supply and distribution of Scotland\u2019s Baby Box and support for the Best Start Grant. The anticipated contract commencement date is 1 April 2022 for an initial five year period with the option to extend for an additional two years, with an estimated annual value of \u00a38 million per year.<\/p>\n

The Baby Box initiative was launched in 2017 and is designed to give every single baby in Scotland an equal start in life. The Boxes aim to support parents and provide families with essential items needed in the baby\u2019s first few months of life as well as providing a safe space for babies to sleep. Expectant parents can register for the scheme at antenatal appointments and the box is delivered free of charge within 4 weeks of a baby\u2019s due date.<\/p>\n

The current take up rate amongst parents is 93% and, as of Friday 12 March 2021, 168,541 Baby Boxes have been delivered to families across Scotland.<\/p>\n

As the incumbent supplier, APS have performed very highly to date (including winning the GO Awards 2019 for Best Service for Scotland\u2019s Baby Box).<\/p>\n

There are a number of benefits stemming from the new contract including:<\/p>\n