Scope
Reference
CR/CORP/LCC/25/202
Description
Connect to Work is a national scheme led by the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and is a supported employment programme targeted at specific groups of residents to enable sustained employment. The programme is focused on reversing the growth in Economic Inactivity and is targeted towards residents with health conditions and disabilities, as well as a number of groups to face barriers to gaining sustained employment, such as care leavers, carers, refugees, ex-offenders, and veterans, aligning with the Lancashire Economic Inactivity insights report, published in 2023.
Lancashire County Council will be the Accountable Body managing this project across the Lancashire area for the next 5 years. (Until 30th June 2030, includes extension periods).
Please see the tender documentation for further details.
Total value (estimated)
- £23,972,049 excluding VAT
- £28,766,459 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 September 2025 to 30 June 2029
- Possible extension to 30 June 2030
- 4 years, 9 months, 26 days
Description of possible extension:
At the end on the initial term of contract for all Lots (30th June 2029.) The Authority at its absolute discretion may seek to extend the contract (one or multiple Lots) by a maximum period of a further 12 months.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The Authority has the option to extend this agreement beyond the Initial Term by a further period up to a maximum of 12 months in addition to the Initial Term.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Contract locations
- UKD4 - Lancashire
Lot constraints
Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 2
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Please see the tender documentation for further details.
Lot 1. Individual Placement and Support: East
Description
Connect to Work is a national scheme led by the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and is a supported employment programme targeted at specific groups of residents to enable sustained employment.
The programme is focused on reversing the growth in Economic Inactivity and is targeted towards residents with health conditions and disabilities, as well as a number of groups to face barriers to gaining sustained employment, such as care leavers, carers, refugees, ex-offenders, and veterans, aligning with the Lancashire Economic Inactivity insights report, published in 2023.
The Authority is seeking secure a new multi-lotted contract for the external provision of IPS (Individual Placement Support) and SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) as part of the Authority's Connect to Work project.
Lot 1 is based on IPS for the East geographical area of Lancashire. (Including delivery in the districts of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale.)
The initial term of the contract commences on 5th September 2025 to 30th June 2029, with an option to extend for a further 12 months.
September to early October 2025 is anticipated to be the mobilisation period for service provider(s)
Delivery of support to allocated participants is estimated to commence in on the 6th October 2025 until 30th June 2029 as part of the initial contract terms, with option to extend this contract for a further 12 months.
Lot value (estimated)
- £7,336,781 excluding VAT
- £8,804,137 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Individual Placement and Support: North
Description
Connect to Work is a national scheme led by the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and is a supported employment programme targeted at specific groups of residents to enable sustained employment.
The programme is focused on reversing the growth in Economic Inactivity and is targeted towards residents with health conditions and disabilities, as well as a number of groups to face barriers to gaining sustained employment, such as care leavers, carers, refugees, ex-offenders, and veterans, aligning with the Lancashire Economic Inactivity insights report, published in 2023.
The Authority is seeking secure a new multi-lotted contract for the external provision of IPS (Individual Placement Support) and SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) as part of the Authority's Connect to Work project.
Lot 2 is based on IPS for the North geographical area of Lancashire. (Including delivery in the districts of Fylde, Lancaster and Wyre .)
The initial term of the contract commences on 5th September 2025 to 30th June 2029, with an option to extend for a further 12 months.
September to early October 2025 is anticipated to be the mobilisation period for service provider(s)
Delivery of support to allocated participants is estimated to commence on the 6th October 2025 until 30th June 2029 as part of the initial contract terms, with option to extend this contract for a further 12 months.
Lot value (estimated)
- £4,430,067 excluding VAT
- £5,316,080 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Individual Placement and Support: Central West
Description
Connect to Work is a national scheme led by the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and is a supported employment programme targeted at specific groups of residents to enable sustained employment.
The programme is focused on reversing the growth in Economic Inactivity and is targeted towards residents with health conditions and disabilities, as well as a number of groups to face barriers to gaining sustained employment, such as care leavers, carers, refugees, ex-offenders, and veterans, aligning with the Lancashire Economic Inactivity insights report, published in 2023.
The Authority is seeking secure a new multi-lotted contract for the external provision of IPS (Individual Placement Support) and SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) as part of the Authority's Connect to Work project.
Lot 3 is based on IPS for the Central & West geographical area of Lancashire. (Including delivery in the districts of, Chorley, Preston, South Ribble and West Lancashire.)
The initial term of the contract commences on 5th September 2025 to 30th June 2029, with an option to extend for a further 12 months.
September to early October 2025 is anticipated to be the mobilisation period for service provider(s)
Delivery of support to allocated participants is estimated to commence on the 6th October 2025 until 30th June 2029 as part of the initial contract terms, with option to extend this contract for a further 12 months.
Lot value (estimated)
- £6,377,138 excluding VAT
- £7,652,566 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Supported Employment Quality Framework: Lancashire
Description
Connect to Work is a national scheme led by the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and is a supported employment programme targeted at specific groups of residents to enable sustained employment.
The programme is focused on reversing the growth in Economic Inactivity and is targeted towards residents with health conditions and disabilities, as well as a number of groups to face barriers to gaining sustained employment, such as care leavers, carers, refugees, ex-offenders, and veterans, aligning with the Lancashire Economic Inactivity insights report, published in 2023.
The Authority is seeking secure a new multi-lotted contract for the external provision of IPS (Individual Placement Support) and SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) as part of the Authority's Connect to Work project.
Lot 4 is based on SEQF for the geographical area of Lancashire.
The initial term of the contract commences on 5th September 2025 to 30th June 2029, with an option to extend for a further 12 months.
September 2025 to March 2026 is anticipated to be the mobilisation period for service provider(s)
Delivery of support to allocated participants is estimated to commence on the 1st April 2026 until 30th June 2029 as part of the initial contract terms, with option to extend this contract for a further 12 months.
Lot value (estimated)
- £5,828,063 excluding VAT
- £6,993,676 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Individual Placement and Support: East
Lot 2. Individual Placement and Support: North
Lot 3. Individual Placement and Support: Central West
Lot 4. Supported Employment Quality Framework: Lancashire
Please see the tender documentation for further information.
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Individual Placement and Support: East
Lot 2. Individual Placement and Support: North
Lot 3. Individual Placement and Support: Central West
Lot 4. Supported Employment Quality Framework: Lancashire
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
19 June 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
The tender documents are available on Lancashire County Council's electronic tendering site: www.lancashire.gov.uk/fusion-supplier-portal/
Use of this system does not require high specification IT equipment or connections, nor high-level personal IT skills/capabilities. Access to the system/software and advice is free of charge. Registration is necessary in order to view the tender details and obtain tender documentation. Tenderers are advised to allow plenty of time for registration and to do this as early as possible during the tender period.
Please see www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/ for further information.
NEGOTIATON (Request For Quote) NUMBER (Tender reference number for online tendering system) is: LCC44470. For further information please contact: contractscorporate@lancashire.gov.uk
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
3 September 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality and Technical | Quality and Technical Questionnaire |
Quality | 90% |
| Social Value | Social Value |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Lancashire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBBJ-2179-TNXM
PO Box 100, County Hall
Preston
PR1 0LD
United Kingdom
Contact name: Chris Ridings
Region: UKD45 - Mid Lancashire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisations
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
SOCIAL VALUE PORTAL LTD
Summary of their role in this procurement: Evaluation of Social Value
- Companies House: 09197997
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQHH-4489-TLZM
Tintagel House
London
SE1 7TY
United Kingdom
Email: sales@socialvalueportal.com
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
BLACKPOOL COUNCIL
Summary of their role in this procurement: Assistance in tender evaluations
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHHB-5249-RZVD
PO Box 11, Town Hall
Blackpool
FY1 1NB
United Kingdom
Region: UKD42 - Blackpool
Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council
Summary of their role in this procurement: Assistance in tender evaluations
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYGR-1856-CVXM
Town Hall, King WIlliam Street
Blackburn
BB1 7DY
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@blackburn.gov.uk
Region: UKD41 - Blackburn with Darwen