Scope
Reference
CN250345
Description
Kent County Council are seeking to re-procure a Kent Carers Support Service which is aimed at supporting unpaid carers within the county. This new service will replace two current services; The Carers Community Navigation Service and Carers Short Breaks service.
Key Areas of Service Delivery:
Building from the Kent Adult Carers Strategy the following key areas of service delivery have been identified for the Kent Carers Support Service:
i) Identifying and Recognising Carers, including Seldom-Heard Carers
ii) Empowering Carers: information, advice and training in ways that they can understand
iii) Prevention and Wellbeing especially for lifestyle risk factors, mental health and information and advice
iv) Support for Young Carers' Transition to Adulthood
v) Carers Assessment
vi) Carers Breaks
vii) Emergency Breaks
viii) Carers Personal Budgets
The full requirement will be available within the Specification, which will be made available when the Tender opportunity goes live.
The Service will be delivered by a lead provider for East Kent and a Lead provider for West Kent. The two lead providers will need to work in partnership to ensure there is a seamless service that is equitable across Kent.
There will be one Lot for each geographical area and the same service provider cannot deliver both Lots.
Please note that this UK3 Planned Planned Procurement Notice replaces Prior Information Notice 2024/S 000-020309.
Total value (estimated)
- £48,000,000 excluding VAT
- £57,600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028
- Possible extension to 31 December 2032
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
Kent County Council may include a 2 x 2 year extension into the contract. To be confirmed.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85100000 - Health services
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Lot constraints
Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 1
Lot 1. Kent Carers Support Service - East Kent
Description
Kent Carers Support Service to be delivered in the following geographical areas: Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Thanet, Folkestone and Hythe.
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Kent Carers Support Service - West Kent
Description
Kent Carers Support Service to be delivered in the following geographical areas: Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells and Swale.
Same for all lots
CPV classifications 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. Kent Carers Support Service - East Kent
Lot 2. Kent Carers Support Service - West Kent
The authority will set conditions of participation which Tenderers must satisfy to demonstrate that they have the requisite legal and financial capacity to perform the Contract.
Guidance will be published within the Tender Notice.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Kent Carers Support Service - East Kent
Lot 2. Kent Carers Support Service - West Kent
The authority will set conditions of participation which Tenderers must satisfy to demonstrate that they have the technical ability to perform the Contract.
Guidance will be published within the Tender Notice.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
27 May 2025
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
10 June 2025, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
All tenders must be submitted on the Kent Business Portal. Please ensure you have registered on the Kent Business Portal.
https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/
Once registered please 'Express Interest' to receive updates and tender notifications. Providers that express interest are granted automatic access to the Condition of Participation procurement files once the opportunity has gone live.
Providers are reminded to register on the Central Digital Platform, and to ensure their information is up to date before submitting a bid.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
11 September 2025
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Kent County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLDL-8938-YGYW
County Hall
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
United Kingdom
Email: CPD-PEOPLETEAM@KENT.GOV.UK
Region: UKJ45 - Mid Kent
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government