Scope
Reference
CWC24003
Description
The procurement will be an above threshold procedure for services which are considered Light Touch Regime (LTR) in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023- Sections 9 & 10 and all other provisions of LTR under the Act and Council's Contract Procedure Rules.
This arrangement constitutes a flexible "pseudo" framework (for clarity, not an Open Framework as defined under the Procurement Act 2023). The framework may be re-opened at any time, either to increase the number of participating providers or to replace those who have been removed. This action may be taken at the Council's reasonable discretion, where it is deemed necessary to ensure the framework continues to support the Council in meeting its statutory duties-specifically, to maintain sufficient capacity in terms of available placements and provider coverage.
The Framework is composed of two Lots.
Lot 1: Overnight Short Breaks Service for children and young people with SEND aged 2-18 years: The provision will provide overnight short break services that give children and young people to take a break and support for Parent/Carers in their caring role, which could reduce the occurrence of family breakdown.
Lot 2: Overnight Short Breaks Service for Adults 18+ with learning disabilities (LD) or disabilities: The provision will provide overnight short break services that enable adults to take a break and support for Family members or carers in their caring role, which could reduce the occurrence of family breakdown.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £12,971,000 excluding VAT
- £15,565,200 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
- Possible extension to 31 March 2033
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
The initial term will be for 5 (five) years, with the option for 2 (two) year extensions
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
In the event of framework providers not meeting sufficiency or need alternative solutions will be sourced.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85310000 - Social work services
Contract locations
- UKG39 - Wolverhampton
Lot 1. Overnight Short Breaks Service for children and young people with SEND aged 2-18 years.
Description
The Council has a duty to provide overnight short breaks provision for Children and Young People with a disability and their families, as part of the Children and Young Person's Act (2008) as every local authority.
"...shall provide services designed to assist individuals who provide care for such children (disabled) to continue to do so, or to do so more effectively, by giving them a break from caring". Short breaks are integral to a comprehensive approach to supporting disabled children to develop as participating and contributing individuals, included in their communities, with personal social networks."
The provision will provide overnight short break services that give children and young people to take a break and support for Parent/Carers in their caring role, which could reduce the occurrence of family breakdown.
The Overnight Short Breaks will provide services during term time and school holidays and will be available for 360 days per year. By 1st May each year, the Provider will notify Parents/Carers, the SEND Family Help Service and Contract Officer of the days on which the service will be closed in the next 12 months.
Term time (39 weeks per year).
- Weekdays for children and young people in education: Overnight stays will be from 3pm to 8 am at a minimum this will be 18 hours in duration. This may be extended to consecutive nights as part of their Family Help Plan.
- Weekends/bank holidays: Provision of overnight short breaks 6pm to 10 am. This may be extended to consecutive nights as part of their Family Help Plan.
School holidays (13 weeks per year)
- Provision of overnight short breaks 6pm to 10 am. This may be extended to consecutive nights as part of their Family Help Plan.
Detailed requirements of the contract are set out Appendix B - Service specification.
Lot value (estimated)
- £5,131,000 excluding VAT
- £6,157,200 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Overnight Short Breaks Service for Adults 18+ with learning disabilities (LD) or disabilities
Description
The Care Act 2014 outlines the responsibilities of local authorities regarding adult overnight short breaks and respite care for adults with learning disabilities (LD) or disabilities, particularly in sections related to assessments and support for carers.
The provision will provide overnight short break services that enable adults to take a break and support for Family members or carers in their caring role, which could reduce the occurrence of family breakdown.
The Overnight Short Breaks will provide services 7 days a week and will be available for 360 days per year. By 1st May each year, the Provider will notify Family members or carers, the Adult Social Care Team and Contract Officer of the days on which the service will be closed in the next 12 months.
Lot value (estimated)
- £7,840,000 excluding VAT
- £9,408,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Tender Responses will be evaluated in accordance with the award criteria and scoring mechanism which is split in to 60% Quality criteria including 5% EDI and 10% social value and 40% Pricing Criteria.
Each provider admitted to the framework must have a total evaluation score of 70% or above, with the three highest scoring providers awarded a place on the framework.
We intend to award a Framework up to three (3) providers per Lot. This has been designed to ensure; continued competition, a basis of flexibility and also support the creation of sustainable business opportunities for new market entrants, into the City of Wolverhampton.
Where the authority is not in the position to award to three, it reserves the right to award a lower number i.e. one or two. The framework may also be re-opened at any time, either to increase the number of participating providers or to replace those who have been removed. This action may be taken at the Council's reasonable discretion, where it is deemed necessary to ensure the framework continues to support the Council in meeting its statutory duties-specifically, to maintain sufficient capacity in terms of available placements and provider coverage.
Providers successful to the framework will not be ranked and all referrals will be scheduled via a mini competition process.
Award method when using the framework
With competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Overnight Short Breaks Service for children and young people with SEND aged 2-18 years.
Lot 2. Overnight Short Breaks Service for Adults 18+ with learning disabilities (LD) or disabilities
Tenderers must have a minimum annual turnover of £1,000,000 to be eligible to bid for this contract.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Overnight Short Breaks Service for children and young people with SEND aged 2-18 years.
Lot 2. Overnight Short Breaks Service for Adults 18+ with learning disabilities (LD) or disabilities
As stipulated in the tender documents.
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Overnight Short Breaks Service for children and young people with SEND aged 2-18 years.
Lot 2. Overnight Short Breaks Service for Adults 18+ with learning disabilities (LD) or disabilities
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
26 September 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
8 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenderers Must be registered on the Central Digital Platform to be able to submit a bid for this Framework.
Additionally, tenderers must register on ProActis e-tendering platform to be able to access tender documents and submit their bids, registration is free and can be accessed at www.wolverhamptontenders.com
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
12 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Tenderers will be evaluated based on the quality of their response to Evaluation Questions which will assesses the following criteria. Mandatory Question - Applicable to all Lots - Business Continuity,... |
Quality | 50% |
| Pricing | Tenderers will be evaluated based on their response to the Pricing Schedule. |
Price | 40% |
| Social Value - Mandatory Question - Applicable to all Lots | Tenderers will be evaluated based on the quality of their response to commitments to social value and sustainability. |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
As stipulated within the tender document
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Documents
Associated tender documents
http://www.wolverhamptontenders.com
Appendix B - Our Council Our Plan
Appendix B - Lot 1 - Service Specification
Appendix B - Lot 2 - Service Specification
Appendix D - CWC24003 - Framework Agreement
CWC24003 - Pricing Matrix - Lot 1
CWC24003 - Pricing Matrix - Lot 2
CWC24003 - ITT Instructions
CWC24003 - Invitation to Tender
CWC24003 - Market Engagement Pack
CWC24003 - Data Processing Summary - Lot 1 and Lot 2
Contracting authority
Wolverhampton City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVBV-7568-LBLL
Civic Centre, St Peter's Square
Wolverhampton
WV1 1SH
United Kingdom
Region: UKG39 - Wolverhampton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government