Scope
Description
The Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS) on behalf of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) wish to carry out a preliminary market engagement with interested providers.
This market engagement is intended to inform the market that the NHSCT are proposing to tender for the provision of Learning Disability Vocational Training Services through Social Enterprise facilities to Adults with a Learning Disability within the NHSCT (Adults being 18+ years of age).
This market engagement will take the form of a Briefing Paper and Questionnaire for providers to respond to. The purpose of this market engagement is to raise awareness of an upcoming procurement, gauge the level of interest in the provision of such services, make potential Providers aware in advance of key service requirements, raise awareness regarding the introduction of the New Procurement Act 2023 and also Northern Ireland Procurement Policy Notes (PPN) relating to Social Value (PPN 01/21) and Human Rights (PPN 05/21) that will be included in any future Tender.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029
- Possible extension to 30 April 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Engagement
Engagement deadline
5 September 2025
Engagement process description
The CP13 Vocational Services Market Engagement Briefing Paper and Appendix 1 - CP12 Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire are available on eTendersNI (https://etendersni.gov.uk) under Resource ID/CfT number: 6068596.
Please ensure you are registered with eTendersNI under Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) Code '85000000 Health and social work services'. Your response to this Pre-Tender Market Engagement Paper must be completed in 'Appendix 1 - CP12 Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire' and submitted as an attachment via the eTendersNI secure messaging area of the Resource ID/CfT Number: 6068596. The deadline for submission is Friday 5th September 2025 at 15:00. Any interest shown in the pre-tender market engagement does not constitute a commitment to participate in a procurement exercise. Failure to show interest does not restrict providers from participating in any future procurement exercise.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBRP-6676-CQZY
Bretten Hall, Antrim Area Hospital, Bush Road
Antrim
BT41 2RL
United Kingdom
Region: UKN0D - Antrim and Newtownabbey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
Business Services Organisation
Summary of their role in this procurement: Business Services Organisation (BSO), Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS) will be conducting the procurement process including this pre-tender market engagement process on behalf of the NHSCT. PaLS are the Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWNJ-1991-NGDW
Pinewood Villa, Longstone Hospital, 73 Loughgall Road
Armagh
BT61 7PR
United Kingdom
Region: UKN07 - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon