Scope
Reference
2025-256
Description
Milton Keynes City Council are currently out to tender for the provision of South Midlands Connect to Work Programme (Milton Keynes Area).
Milton Keynes City Council has been awarded grant funding by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to participate in the Connect to Work initiative, via the accountable body ‘West Northants Council (WNC)’ as part of the South Midlands region.
Connect to Work is the initial and significant element of the Get Britain Working Strategy, the aim of which is to support people with disabilities, those with health conditions and people with complex barriers, to find suitable work.
The Connect to Work Programme aims to support individuals furthest from the labour market into sustainable employment. It is a voluntary programme launched by DWP (the Department for Work and Pensions) to help tackle economic inactivity by providing a specific form of supported employment targeted at the right people at the right time, based on their individual circumstances. It is a national programme, delivered in clusters of local authorities. In the case of this region, the South Midlands cluster – namely Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes City, North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.
For the purposes of this tender opportunity, it relates to the Milton Keynes City element of the programme.
The Contractor will be expected to deliver the five stages of the supported employment model:
- Engagement: Building relationships with local services to raise aspirations and confidence among potential Participants.
- Vocational Profiling: A detailed discovery process to identify Participants' strengths, needs, and employment goals.
- Employer Engagement: Building partnerships with employers to understand their needs and support Participants through the recruitment process.
- Job Matching: Identifying job vacancies that match Participants' profiles and working with employers to create suitable roles.
- On and Off the Job Support: Providing tailored support to Participants and employers to ensure sustained employment and career progression.
This procurement is being undertaken via the Open procedure under the Light Touch Regime.
The Council proposes to enter into a contract that will be for a term of 2 years and 7 months with the successful tenderer (Service Provider) unless terminated in accordance with the Conditions of Contract.
Tender submissions must be returned electronically via the Authorities e-tendering portal In-Tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/milton-keynes/aspx/Home as per the prescribed instructions in the tender documentation.
Deadline for submissions of the tender will be 12 noon on 19th March 2026.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,615,950 excluding VAT
- £1,939,140 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2029
- 2 years, 7 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80500000 - Training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Contract locations
- UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Submission
Enquiry deadline
2 March 2026, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
19 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tender submissions must be returned electronically via https://in-tendhost.co.uk/milton-keynes/aspx/Home as per the prescribed instructions in the tender documentation.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
7 August 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Simple description | Quality - 100% All criteria are stated in the tender document set, published on In-Tend. |
Price |
Weighting description
Quality - 100%
All criteria are stated in the tender document set, published on In-Tend.
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Milton Keynes City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLDZ-6131-PWZH
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East
Milton Keynes
MK9 3EJ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Procurement Team
Telephone: 01908691691
Email: corporateprocurement@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Website: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/
Region: UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government