Award

Community Navigation Services (Part B)

  • Kent County Council

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-001785

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-06029a

Published 9 January 2026, 11:50am



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

Kent County Council

County Hall

Maidstone

ME141XQ

Contact

Nathan Sills

Email

cpd-peopleteam@kent.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKJ45 - Mid Kent

Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.kent.gov.uk

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Community Navigation Services (Part B)

Reference number

SC18024

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Carers Community Navigation

Adult Carers are entitled to an assessment regardless of the amount or type of care that they provide, their financial means and/or their own level of support needs, and whether or not the adult that they care for has had a Care Assessment. The Carers Community Navigation service provides both the statutory Carer Assessment function and more general support for carers, including support to:

• access information, advice and guidance; and integrated, personalised services.

• have a life of their own, maintaining social contacts and personal relationships.

• optimise their physical and emotional wellbeing, enjoying separate social and community activities.

• participate in work, leisure activities or education.

• promote and support their financial wellbeing.

• provide support to maintain good health as appropriate.

• have a voice about services for their Cared-for-person and for themselves.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £1,253,401

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot No

East Kent

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ4 - Kent

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

A short term contract extension will be awarded to the incumbent suppliers of the Carers Short Breaks contract, and Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months. The short term extensions enable KCC to complete the re-procurement of a joint service.

By awarding the short term extension, it mitigates any loss in the provision of service while the re-procurement is underway. In addition, it will also enable ample mobilisation time for the winning bidder.

A contract extension of the Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months from 01 April 2026 to 31 July 2026 is in accordance with the relevant justifications set out in Regulation 72(1)(b)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

The council has a statutory duty to ensure that there is sufficient and fit for purpose provision of social care services to Kent residents, who are eligible under the Care Act 2014 and that a sustainable market is maintained which the Community Navigation (Part B) contract contributes to.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot No

West Kent

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ4 - Kent

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

A short term contract extension will be awarded to the incumbent suppliers of the Carers Short Breaks contract, and Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months. The short term extensions enable KCC to complete the re-procurement of a joint service.

By awarding the short term extension, it mitigates any loss in the provision of service while the re-procurement is underway. In addition, it will also enable ample mobilisation time for the winning bidder.

A contract extension of the Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months from 01 April 2026 to 31 July 2026 is in accordance with the relevant justifications set out in Regulation 72(1)(b)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

The council has a statutory duty to ensure that there is sufficient and fit for purpose provision of social care services to Kent residents, who are eligible under the Care Act 2014 and that a sustainable market is maintained which the Community Navigation (Part B) contract contributes to.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot No

Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ4 - Kent

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

A short term contract extension will be awarded to the incumbent suppliers of the Carers Short Breaks contract, and Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months. The short term extensions enable KCC to complete the re-procurement of a joint service.

By awarding the short term extension, it mitigates any loss in the provision of service while the re-procurement is underway. In addition, it will also enable ample mobilisation time for the winning bidder.

A contract extension of the Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months from 01 April 2026 to 31 July 2026 is in accordance with the relevant justifications set out in Regulation 72(1)(b)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

The council has a statutory duty to ensure that there is sufficient and fit for purpose provision of social care services to Kent residents, who are eligible under the Care Act 2014 and that a sustainable market is maintained which the Community Navigation (Part B) contract contributes to.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot No

Swale

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ4 - Kent

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

A short term contract extension will be awarded to the incumbent suppliers of the Carers Short Breaks contract, and Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months. The short term extensions enable KCC to complete the re-procurement of a joint service.

By awarding the short term extension, it mitigates any loss in the provision of service while the re-procurement is underway. In addition, it will also enable ample mobilisation time for the winning bidder.

A contract extension of the Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months from 01 April 2026 to 31 July 2026 is in accordance with the relevant justifications set out in Regulation 72(1)(b)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

The council has a statutory duty to ensure that there is sufficient and fit for purpose provision of social care services to Kent residents, who are eligible under the Care Act 2014 and that a sustainable market is maintained which the Community Navigation (Part B) contract contributes to.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Negotiated without a prior call for competition

  • No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to open procedure

Explanation:

A short term contract extension will be awarded to the incumbent suppliers of the Carers Short Breaks contract, and Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months. The short term extensions enable KCC to complete the re-procurement of a joint service. By awarding the short term extension, it mitigates any loss in the provision of service while the re-procurement is underway. In addition, it will also enable ample mobilisation time for the winning bidder.

A contract extension of the Community Navigation Service (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months from 01 April 2026 to 31 July 2026 is in accordance with the relevant justifications set out in Regulation 72(1)(b)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

The council has a statutory duty to ensure that there is sufficient and fit for purpose provision of social care services to Kent residents, who are eligible under the Care Act 2014 and that a sustainable market is maintained which Community Navigation Service (Part B) contributes to.

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No


Section five. Award of contract/concession

Title

East Kent

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

9 January 2026

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Carers Support East Kent

Kent

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ4 - Kent
Companies House

07213672

The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £642,966

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £642,966


Section five. Award of contract/concession

Lot No

West Kent

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

9 January 2026

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Involve Kent

Kent

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ4 - Kent
Companies House

03449624

The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £375,729

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £375,729


Section five. Award of contract/concession

Lot No

Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

9 January 2026

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Imago Community

Kent

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ4 - Kent
Companies House

05354482

The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £171,953

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £171,953


Section five. Award of contract/concession

Lot No

Swale

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

9 January 2026

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Imago Community

Kent

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ4 - Kent
Companies House

05354482

The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £62,753

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £62,753


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

A short term contract extension will be awarded to the incumbent suppliers of the Carers Short Breaks contract, and Community Navigation (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months. The short term extensions enable KCC to complete the re-procurement of a joint service. By awarding the short term extension, it mitigates any loss in the provision of service while the re-procurement is underway. In addition, it will also enable ample mobilisation time for the winning bidder.

A contract extension of the Community Navigation Service (Part B) contract for a period of 4 months from 01 April 2026 to 31 July 2026 is in accordance with the relevant justifications set out in Regulation 72(1)(b)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

The council has a statutory duty to ensure that there is sufficient and fit for purpose provision of social care services to Kent residents, who are eligible under the Care Act 2014 and that a sustainable market is maintained which Community Navigation Service (Part B) contributes to.

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Kent County Council

Maidstone

Country

United Kingdom