Scope
Description
West Berkshire Council are looking to carry out an early market engagement exercise in relation to a Voluntary Sector Prospectus (VSP) contract. The Council have been commissioning the Voluntary Sector Prospectus under multiple lots since 2015 and contracts are held with various voluntary sector organisations. The overall aims of the VSP previously have related to promoting; independence, wellbeing and sustainability of the district. The current VSP is due to expire on 31st March 2026 and the Council are looking to innovate and refresh how this has traditionally been commissioned.
The purpose of the engagement exercise is as follows:
• To inform Providers that the Council may be bringing the project to the market later this year
• Gauge market interest
• To obtain preliminary information from potential bidders around the proposed service and to understand; gaps in the market, needs of service users, idea specification types and contract terms
• To obtain preliminary information in regards to the aims and outcomes of the proposed service
The event will be held at the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire on Monday 24th March between 10:30am - 12:00pm. To register interest in the event and to obtain a preliminary information pack, please register your interest via email to: Emma.Richardson1@Westberks.gov.uk
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 3 March 2031
- 4 years, 11 months, 3 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
- 85323000 - Community health services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Engagement
Engagement deadline
24 March 2025
Engagement process description
West Berkshire Council are looking to carry out an early market engagement exercise in relation to a Voluntary Sector Prospectus (VSP) contract. The Council have commissioned the VSP since 2015 and the current VSP is due to expire on 31st March 2026. The Council are now looking to innovate and refresh how this has traditionally been commissioned.
The purpose of the engagement is:
• To inform Providers that the Council may be bringing the project to the market later this year
• Gauge market interest
• To obtain preliminary information from potential bidders around the proposed service and to understand; gaps in the market, needs of service users, idea specification types and contract terms
• To obtain preliminary information in regards to the aims and outcomes of the proposed service
The event will be held at the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire on Monday 24th March between 10:30am - 12:00pm. To register interest in the event and to obtain a preliminary information pack, please email: Emma.Richardson1@Westberks.gov.uk
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
2 August 2025
Contracting authority
West Berkshire Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTXJ-8922-CMNQ
Market Street
Newbury
RG14 5LD
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ11 - Berkshire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government