Planning

Public Social Partnership - Third Sector Social Care Commissions

  • Dumfries and Galloway Council

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-015038

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0657aa

Published 19 February 2026, 9:01am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Dumfries and Galloway Council

Procurement Team, Carruthers House

Dumfries

DG1 2HP

Email

Procurement.PeopleandProjects@dumgal.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 3033333000

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM92 - Dumfries & Galloway

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00219

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Public Social Partnership - Third Sector Social Care Commissions

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

A Public Social Partnership (PSP) is a collaborative framework in which public sector bodies and social enterprises or community organisations work together to co-design, deliver, and evaluate services with social impact. At the heart of a PSP is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a formal document that defines the partnership’s purpose, scope, and the roles and responsibilities of each partner. While an MOU is typically not legally binding, it provides a clear framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and mutual understanding.

The MOU would outline the objectives of the partnership, the initiatives and learning to be delivered, and the intended social outcomes. It clarifies how partners will share resources, expertise, and responsibilities, including funding, staffing, and operational support. Governance arrangements would be defined, often including steering committees or advisory groups, as well as processes for decision-making, monitoring, evaluation, and review. Confidentiality, data protection, and dispute resolution mechanisms will be specified, helping to manage risk and maintain trust among all parties. By providing this structured framework, the MOU facilitates collaborative planning, co-production of services, and a shared commitment to social impact, while allowing each organisation to retain its autonomy and legal responsibilities.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM92 - Dumfries & Galloway

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Current contractual and historic contractual arrangements providing social care support services to Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership are coming to an end. It is anticipated that the future approach to Social Care Supports will be via a Strategic Alliance however, to inform the alliance and contractual arrangements, a decision has been recommended to create a Public Social Partnership to inform future specifications and pilot a number of services.

The types of services to be covered by the PSP are:

- Community Support Services

- Day Support Services

- Carer Support Services

- Mental Health Support Services

two.2.14) Additional information

There will be scope to widen the workstreams and output of the PSP as the PSP progresses. A further PIN will be published within 2026/27 regarding the formal process for tendering a Strategic Alliance.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

1 April 2026


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=824077.

(SC Ref:824077)