Scope
Reference
WNC00000569
Description
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is seeking to appoint experienced delivery partners to support the implementation of the South Midlands Connect to Work Programme in the West Northamptonshire area.
Information on the Connect to Work Grant Guidance for England can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connect-to-work/connect-to-work-grant-guidance-for-england
Connect to Work is aimed at improving employment outcomes for residents facing barriers into work.
Prior to commencing the formal procurement, WNC is conducting a Supplier Engagement Event for the South Midlands Connect to Work Programme (West Northants area)to seek input from the market and to understand what the appetite is for undertaking this service.
The procurement procedure route (Open/ Competitive Flexible) is undetermined at this stage and will be established following the market engagement event.
The Council would like to invite interested organisations to attend a face to face market engagement event on Wednesday, 3rd September 2025 at 10 am - 1 pm held at The Guildhall, St Giles' Square, Northampton NN1 1DE.
Prior to the event interested organisations are invited to complete our online survey here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9rFq2WDmUE2ez1oK8hIXl-Sv5EwS_dFIh_mXUdHyKtlUNFVTUlFSTkcxMVUyVjlQMElJS041QjI4Ry4u
It is not a mandatory requirement to complete the survey to be able to attend the market engagement event.
To register for this event please email procurement@westnorthants.gov.uk by Monday, 1st September 2025 . Please note only registered attendees will be allowed into the engagement event.
Participation in this process will not impact your ability to engage with the future tender opportunity.
The information provided in the survey by Potential Suppliers will not contribute to any future tender submissions or the evaluation process.
Participation in the market engagement event does not guarantee that a procurement will follow, nor does it determine the final scope or structure of any potential procurement.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,440,000 excluding VAT
- £1,728,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 3 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80500000 - Training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKF24 - West Northamptonshire
Engagement
Engagement deadline
1 September 2025
Engagement process description
WNC is conducting a Supplier Engagement Event for the South Midlands Connect to Work Programme (West Northants area) to seek input from the market and will be inviting interested organisations to attend a face to face market engagement event on Wednesday, 3rd September 2025 from 10 am - 1 pm.
Event Location:The Guildhall, St Giles' Square, Northampton.
Parking is available at St. John's Multi Storey Car Park - Postcode for Sat Nav: NN1 1HA
The event will provide:
• An overview of the programme and its ambitions
• Insight into our commissioning approach
• A chance to shape the future of supported employment in our area
• Networking with other providers and stakeholders
If you wish to attend the engagement event, please register your interest by Monday 1st September 2025 to procurement@westnorthants.gov.uk and provide your organisation name, contact details and number of attendees. Please also reference the event title and project reference on your correspondence - 'South Midlands Connect to Work Programme (West Northants area) - Ref WNC00000569. An agenda will be issued to all interested organisations attending, prior to the event.
If you are unable to attend the event and would like to complete the survey, please visit: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9rFq2WDmUE2ez1oK8hIXl-Sv5EwS_dFIh_mXUdHyKtlUNFVTUlFSTkcxMVUyVjlQMElJS041QjI4Ry4u
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
West Northamptonshire Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGDV-8944-CMBP
Angel Street
Northampton
NN1 1ED
United Kingdom
Contact name: Claire Baker
Region: UKF24 - West Northamptonshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government