Scope
Reference
C20669
Description
Market Engagement and Soft Market Testing for Housing Related Support Services in West Sussex. (To view and complete the Early Market Engagement and Soft Market Testing - Questionnaire please click on the following link to our e-tendering Portal and either Register or Login). https://atamis-7669.my.site.com/s/Welcome
Total value (estimated)
- £6,000,000 excluding VAT
- £7,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation
- 98341000 - Accommodation services
Engagement
Engagement deadline
25 June 2025
Engagement process description
WSCC is anticipating that a procurement process will be undertaken in Autumn 2025 with a view to new arrangements commencing in April 2026. WSCC is seeking the views of support Providers to ascertain the level of interest in providing support to customers who would benefit from either an accommodation based service or a floating support service within the county of West Sussex. Please note that this is not the commencement of a procurement process, and Providers are expressing an interest to receive further information on these services and take part in soft market testing. Should any procurement arise from this, a separate notice and information will be provided. Details of the Services in Scope Accommodation Based services: Providers will deliver support to Customers in an accommodation based setting. The accommodation will be sourced by the Provider and can be owned, leased or provided in partnership with a local Housing authority or Social Landlord. The needs of individuals have become more complex in recent years and there will be a requirement for Providers to be able to support those with multiple compound needs and be able to manage the challenges presented by these individuals effectively in the accommodation based setting. Providers will work with Customers towards realistic move on options from the supported accommodation and aim to support Customers to move on within approximately 2 years. Providers will be required to work closely with the local Housing Authorities, who will be co-funding these services to ensure that they have oversight of those within the service and are advised in advance of any Customer who may be at risk of losing their accommodation, in order to prevent further homelessness. Floating Support Services: Providers will support Customers in a wide range of accommodation settings including privately rented and social tenancies, owned accommodation, temporary accommodation and accommodation shared with friends or family. Providers will support Customers to maintain their existing accommodation and prevent homelessness wherever possible. As above there will be a requirement for Providers to be able to support those with multiple compound needs and be able to manage the challenges presented by these individuals effectively. There is likely to be a requirement for Providers to provide Resettlement Support for those moving into independent accommodation. As above, providers will be required to work closely with the local Housing Authorities to ensure that such authorities have oversight of those within the services. The services are intended to be short term with Customers being signed off from support within approximately 2 years. Aims The aim of this Early Market Engagement Questionnaire is to support the re-commissioning of a range of Housing Related Support services, whilst seeking to improve how services are arranged and delivered operationally to provide the most effective service and the best use of any assets. The findings of this exercise will inform our thinking around the opportunities for commissioning and procurement of the services. Any information provided will be treated as 'Commercial-in-Confidence' and will be considered by local authority commissioners in such a way as to ensure that it is non-attributable to any particular provider. Opportunities for group based or individual organisation discussion with Providers who respond may follow this exercise. (To view and complete the Early Market Engagement and Soft Market Testing - Questionnaire please click on the following link to our e-tendering Portal and either Register or Login). https://atamis-7669.my.site.com/s/Welcome Please can you complete the attached document, responding to the four questions within the document by latest, 12pm on the 25th June 2025. Please submit your completed document via email to: Michelle.West@westsussex.gov.uk including "Soft Market Testing" in the subject line. In addition, the Council is holding a Market Engagement event via Microsoft Teams between 9am and 11am on Wednesday the 2nd July 2025. If you wish to attend, please email Michelle.West@westsussex.gov.uk to receive an invitation to the event.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 October 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
West Sussex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXJW-5627-QRQR
County Hall
Chichester
PO19 1RG
United Kingdom
Contact name: Ben Chivers-Gibbs
Email: bsdprocurement@westsussex.gov.uk
Website: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk
Region: UKJ27 - West Sussex (South West)
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government