Scope
Description
Local authorities have a legal duty under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 in relation to children, and section 78 of the Care Act 2014 in relation to adults, to provide care and support to deafblind individuals. Local authorities must follow Care and Support for Deafblind Children and Adults Policy Guidance, unless they can demonstrate legally sound reasons for not doing so.
The Communicator Guide and Intervenor Service is jointly funded between Adult Care Services and Children's Services. The Services are available to those adults, children and young people with a dual sensory loss and who therefore have profound difficulties with communication, mobility, accessing information and who may experience severe isolation. This includes those with congenital, acquired and progressive deafblindness.
Please refer to the PME Document for full details.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2029
- Possible extension to 31 October 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
- 85310000 - Social work services
- 85312000 - Social work services without accommodation
- 85320000 - Social services
Contract locations
- UKH23 - Hertfordshire
Engagement
Engagement deadline
13 March 2026
Engagement process description
The Council is carrying out PME in relation to this project. The Council will consider the feedback received to help inform the Council’s options, requirements and further decision making. For the avoidance of doubt, this stage of the project is not part of a formal procurement process and the Council is not committing, at this stage, to carrying out such a process.
Participation or non-participation in the PME shall not prevent any supplier participating in a potential future procurement, nor is it intended that any information supplied as part of the PME shall place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process.
Participation in the PME will be at each organisation’s own cost. No expense in responding to this PME will be reimbursed by the Council.
To access the PME documentation please visit the Council’s e-tendering system Supply Hertfordshire, run by Intend at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/supplyhertfordshire and follow the on-screen guidance.
To participate in this PME, organisations must return their completed Supplier Questionnaire (Appendix A of the PME Document), together with any supporting documents, through the Correspondence area of this project by the return deadline of 12.00 Noon on 13th March 2026, as per the PME documentation and e-tendering system. Supplier Questionnaires received after the deadline may not be reviewed at the Council’s sole discretion.
Please make sure that you have submitted your Supplier Questionnaire following the instructions within the PME documentation and e-tendering system. The Council will not be held accountable for any errors made by an organisation in submitting their Supplier Questionnaire.
If you are experiencing problems with the Supply Hertfordshire website, In-Tend offer a help section which includes a dedicated UK support desk which can be contacted via email: support@in-tend.co.uk or Telephone: +44 1144070065 for any website/technical questions, Monday to Friday, 8:30-17:00.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
13 April 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Hertfordshire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWJT-5264-WYMY
Robertson House, Six Hills Way
Stevenage
SG1 2FQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKH23 - Hertfordshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government