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).
Total value (estimated)
- £32,612,559 excluding VAT
- £39,135,070.80 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
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
The winning bidder for each Lot will be awarded the contract.
Should the winning bidder for both Lots be the same, EMCCA will ask the supplier to indicate which Lot it would like to deliver and the remaining Lot will be offered to the next highest scoring bidder in that Lot.
Should only 1 bidder be eligible for contract award in both Lots, EMCCA reserves the right to work with a single supplier to deliver both Lots.
Lot 1. Lot 1- IPS - Derby City & Derbyshire
Description
The Connect to Work delivery partner will deliver IPS to participants resident across all areas of Derby City and Derbyshire. The aim is to enable participants to secure and sustain paid, competitive employment by providing person-centred support that respects individual aspirations. This will support residents to improve their health, independence, and social inclusion while also working towards the regional and national target of 80% of working age people being in employment.
Lot value (estimated)
- £12,218,306 excluding VAT
- £14,661,967.20 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Lot 2-IPS & SEQF-Nottingham & Nottinghamshire
Description
The Connect to Work delivery partner will deliver IPS and SEQF to participants resident across all areas of Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire. The aim is to enable participants to secure and sustain paid, competitive employment by providing person-centred support that respects individual aspirations. This will support residents to improve their health, independence, and social inclusion while also working towards the regional and national target of 80% of working age people being in employment.
Lot value (estimated)
- £20,394,253 excluding VAT
- £24,473,103.60 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot 1- IPS - Derby City & Derbyshire
Lot 2. Lot 2-IPS & SEQF-Nottingham & Nottinghamshire
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
18 September 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
6 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
31 October 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 90% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open 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