Scope
Reference
CPH130
Description
The Council is seeking providers to deliver a social connection service for Derbyshire residents (excluding Derby City Residents). This service is being procured under the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023. The service will deliver effective, prevention focused social connection initiatives to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing, make best use of community assets, and strengthen the resilience of local communities.
The contract is divided into three geographical lots across the County.
Lot 1: North East - Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire
Lot 2: North West - High Peak and Derbyshire Dales
Lot 3: South - Erewash, Amber Valley and South Derbyshire
The Social Connectedness Service will commence on 01 November 2026 for a period of 2 years to 31 October 2028, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract term will be up to 3 years.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,200,000 excluding VAT
- £1,440,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2028
- Possible extension to 31 October 2029
- 3 years
Description of possible extension:
Initial contract term is for up to two year from 01 November 2026 and will run until 31 October 2028, with the option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract term will be up to a maximum of 3 years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKF1 - Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Lot 1. Lot 1 North East Social Connection Service
Description
The Council is seeking providers to deliver a social connection service for Derbyshire residents (excluding Derby City Residents).
This service is being procured under the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023.
The service will deliver effective, prevention focused social connection initiatives to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing, make best use of community assets, and strengthen the resilience of local communities.
Lot 1: North East - Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.
Total maximum budget for Lot 1 over 3 years is up to £490.569.28
The Social Connectedness Service will commence on 01 November 2026 for a period of 2 years to 31 October 2028, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract term will be up to 3 years.
A mobilisation period will run from 12 June 2026 to 31 October 2026. All mobilisation activity must be delivered within the existing allocated total financial envelope. Payments under the contract will be quarterly in advance.
The Service will not include provision for residents of Derby City or services delivered within Derby City.
Lot value (estimated)
- £490,569.28 excluding VAT
- £588,683.14 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Lot 2 North West Social Connection Service
Description
The Council is seeking providers to deliver a social connection service for Derbyshire residents (excluding Derby City Residents).
This service is being procured under the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023.
The service will deliver effective, prevention focused social connection initiatives to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing, make best use of community assets, and strengthen the resilience of local communities.
Lot 1: North West - High Peak and Derbyshire Dales.
Total maximum budget for Lot 1 over 3 years is up to £256,960.48 (exclusive of VAT)
The Social Connectedness Service will commence on 01 November 2026 for a period of 2 years to 31 October 2028, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract term will be up to 3 years.
A mobilisation period will run from 12 June 2026 to 31 October 2026. All mobilisation activity must be delivered within the existing allocated total financial envelope. Payments under the contract will be quarterly in advance.
The Service will not include provision for residents of Derby City or services delivered within Derby City.
Lot value (estimated)
- £256,960.48 excluding VAT
- £308,352.58 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Lot 3 South Social Connection Service
Description
The Council is seeking providers to deliver a social connection service for Derbyshire residents (excluding Derby City Residents).
This service is being procured under the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023.
The service will deliver effective, prevention focused social connection initiatives to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing, make best use of community assets, and strengthen the resilience of local communities.
Lot 3: South - Erewash, Amber Valley and South Derbyshire.
Total maximum budget for Lot 1 over 3 years is up to £452,470.24 (exclusive of VAT)
The Social Connectedness Service will commence on 01 November 2026 for a period of 2 years to 31 October 2028, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract term will be up to 3 years.
A mobilisation period will run from 12 June 2026 to 31 October 2026. All mobilisation activity must be delivered within the existing allocated total financial envelope. Payments under the contract will be quarterly in advance.
The Service will not include provision for residents of Derby City or services delivered within Derby City.
Lot value (estimated)
- £452,470.24 excluding VAT
- £542,964.28 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot 1 North East Social Connection Service
Lot 2. Lot 2 North West Social Connection Service
Lot 3. Lot 3 South Social Connection Service
See Tender Documents
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot 1 North East Social Connection Service
Lot 2. Lot 2 North West Social Connection Service
Lot 3. Lot 3 South Social Connection Service
See Tender Documents
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot 1 North East Social Connection Service
Lot 2. Lot 2 North West Social Connection Service
Lot 3. Lot 3 South Social Connection Service
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
6 March 2026, 4:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
19 March 2026, 11:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 June 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 5 February 2029
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 80% |
| Price | Price | 20% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Due to the potential changing environment, modifications to the contract may be required to be implemented during the contract term, this may include:
Variations to KPI's and Outcomes as a result of performance review, evaluation of outcome and community needs. Including the development of Cost benefit Analysis.
Changes to the delivery model to reflect emerging needs, co-production insights, or strategic priorities. This may include adjustments to the services offered, target groups, geographic coverage, delivery methods, monitoring measures, or collaborative arrangements.as a result of performance review, evaluation outcomes and community needs.
Uplifts/reduction in budget subject to budget availability for increases in volumes, additional funding streams and or exceptional cost pressure at the Councils sole discretion.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Competitive flexible procedure description
See Tender Documents
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=3fda6faf-bd02-f111-813c-005056b64545&p=527b4bbd-5c58-e511-80ef-000c29c9ba21
Contracting authority
Derbyshire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWZQ-2162-JJQL
County Hall
Matlock
DE4 3AG
United Kingdom
Region: UKF13 - South and West Derbyshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government