Scope
Reference
6393091
Description
The Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS) on behalf of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust (NHSCT) wish to carry out a preliminary market engagement with interested providers.
This market engagement is intended to inform the market that the NHSCT are proposing to tender for the provision of Learning Disability Vocational Training Services through Social Enterprise facilities to Adults with a Learning Disability within the NHSCT (Adults being 18+ years of age).
The NHSCT have published this second preliminary market engagement (CfT Reference no: 6393091) for this tender to inform the market of this advanced draft of the specification and we are also inviting potential tenderers to consider the cost for this service based on the stated available budgets outlined in Section 3.17 of the CP13 Vocational Services - 2026 Market Engagement Briefing Paper. Therefore, as part of this engagement we are asking potential providers to complete and return ‘Appendix C – Breakdown of Costs’ with a proposed cost breakdown for how they would deliver this service based on the available budget. We are seeking this cost breakdown for information purposes while allowing potential suppliers to assess the affordability of the service before we publish the tender. Please note that the annual cost of this service must be inclusive of all costs associated with this service.
Please refer to the ‘CP13 Vocational Services - 2026 Market Engagement Briefing Paper’ and associated appendices for further information – all documents associated with this market engagement are available in CfT document section under CfT Reference No: 6393091
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
- Possible extension to 31 August 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Engagement
Engagement deadline
6 March 2026
Engagement process description
Please ensure you are registered with eTendersNI under Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) Code '85000000 Health and social work services'.
Your proposed cost breakdown for delivery of this service in response to this Pre-Tender Market Engagement Paper must be completed in 'Appendix C – Breakdown of Costs’ and submitted as an attachment via the eTendersNI secure messaging area of the Resource ID/CfT Number: 6393091. The deadline for submission is Friday 6th March 2026 at 15:00.
Any interest shown in the pre-tender market engagement does not constitute a commitment to participate in a procurement exercise. Failure to show interest does not restrict providers from participating in any future procurement exercise.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBRP-6676-CQZY
Bretten Hall, Antrim Area Hospital, Bush Road
Antrim
BT41 2RL
United Kingdom
Region: UKN0D - Antrim and Newtownabbey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
Business Services Organisation
Summary of their role in this procurement: BSO PaLS will be conducting the procurement process including this pre-tender market engagement process on behalf of the NHSCT. PaLS are the Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWNJ-1991-NGDW
Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital, 73 Loughgall Road
Armagh
BT61 7PR
United Kingdom
Region: UKN07 - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon