Scope
Reference
DN785306
Description
The recently launched "Get Britain Working" White Paper outlines Government's strategy to invest £240m to support the ambition of a national 80% employment rate and help improve workplace health and keep people in work, including trials of combined public services for those out of work due to ill health. Connect to Work is the first major element of the Get Britain Working Strategy.
By encouraging join-up between health systems and employment support, Connect to Work will support those, primarily, currently outside the workforce and facing greater labour market disadvantages, to stay in work and get back into work. In turn, supporting the Government's ambition for a more inclusive economy, supporting local people to realise their potential and supporting local and national growth. Connect to Work funding will support around 100,000 disabled people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to get into employment and on in work. In the East Midlands, Connect to Work will support 12,243 residents across the entirety of the programme.
The East Midlands Combined Authority is the Accountable Body for Connect to Work in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and, working in partnership with the four constituent local authorities, is responsible for the commissioning of Connect to Work delivery.
Connect to Work is a voluntary programme, delivering the evidence-based Supported Employment model, 'place, train, and maintain', via two different types of interventions based on the needs of the participant - Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
The Invitation to Tender is open for 30 days from 1 September 2025. It is anticipated that delivery will start on 1st January 2026.
Total value (estimated)
- £25,000,000 excluding VAT
- £30,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 3 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75131000 - Government services
- 79634000 - Career guidance services
- 80521000 - Training programme services
Contract locations
- UKF1 - Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Engagement
Engagement deadline
26 August 2025
Engagement process description
Online Session - 19 August 2025 (am)
Supplier Sessions (Bookable 1hr slots) - 19-20 August 2025
The contracting authority would like to invite interested parties to an online session. The purpose of this online session is to provide a high-level overview of the Connect to Work commissioning process, specification, and timescales.
If you have any questions prior to the online event, please send them to connecttowork@eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk . Questions will be collated by the Project team and responses incorporated into the online session.
To attend the webinar, please follow the Eventbrite link and complete your registration.
https://ctw190825.eventbrite.co.uk
Following the online session An Invitation to Tender for the provision of services will be launched on 1st September 2025, 12:00 2025 and will be live for 30 days on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/
The tender will comprise of two lots:
Lot1: Provision of IPS for Derby City and Derbyshire (circa £8.5M)
Lot 2: Provision of IPS and SEQF for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (circa £16.5M)
Suppliers are invited to bid for one Lot only
It is anticipated that delivery will start in January 2026.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 September 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
East Midlands Combined County Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZXR-6887-DRNP
Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre
Chesterfield
S40 1UT
United Kingdom
Region: UKF12 - East Derbyshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
Nottinghamshire County Council
Summary of their role in this procurement: Conducting procurement on behalf of EMCCA
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBCV-5152-BXBP
County Hall, Loughborough Road
Nottingham
NG2 7QP
United Kingdom
Email: prpc@nottscc.gov.uk
Region: UKF16 - South Nottinghamshire