Scope
Reference
PL0106
Description
Are you passionate about improving people's lives? Essex County Council is proud to announce an opportunity to help up to 3,260 individuals in to sustained employment. Essex County Council, as the accountable body, is looking for a provider to assist in delivering the Connect to Work programme across Greater Essex.
The Government's "Get Britain Working" White Paper sets out the Government's intention to devolve funding for supported employment, including the Connect to Work Programme. Connect to Work aims to help connect local work, health and skills support and help eligible participants to secure sustainable work through a voluntary supported employment model, observing to Individual Placement & Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) frameworks. Through this, Connect to Work will expand the use of the proven five stage Supported Employment model of 'place, train and maintain'.
Essex County Council is looking for a Provider that will develop and lead a supply chain of specialist organisations with a track record of successfully working and building trusted relationships with our prioritised cohorts. If you are a specialist organisation interested in sharing your contact details with other organisations to assist in the building of supply chains then you can email Daniel.Gaimster@essex.gov.uk with a short description of your offer is to the respective organisations and also appropriate contact details information to be added. For those interested in viewing the contact details of organisations who have shared them, this documents is available within the tender documents found on ProContract.
The successful bidder must be able to demonstrate a track record in delivering supported employment programmes, specifically through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) models. Delivery must align with national best practice and local commissioning priorities, ensuring high fidelity to both models.
The maximum value of this contract is £10,698,000 (excluding VAT). The contract value including VAT figure has been calculated assuming a 20% VAT rate but this may depend on the successful bidder and their VAT status and is solely their responsibility.
Connect to Work: Grant Guidance for England - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connect-to-work/connect-to-work-grant-guidance-for-england
Total value (estimated)
- £10,698,000 excluding VAT
- £12,837,600 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 January 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 2 months, 27 days
Description of possible extension:
2 x 12 month extensions.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79611000 - Job search services
- 79634000 - Career guidance services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
29 August 2025, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
8 September 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
The tender name on the ProContract system is Connect to Work.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
5 November 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Quality | Quality | 60% |
| Commercial | Cost | 30% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Essex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Email: Daniel.Gaimster@essex.gov.uk
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government