Scope
Reference
SCC-ICU-0077
Description
The Southampton Early Advice & Support (SEAS) service aims to transform early intervention and preventative health & care services in the city by adopting a community-focused, integrated approach. This aligns with national policies and local strategies, emphasizing collaboration among the voluntary sector, adult social care, children's social care, the NHS and other partners to improve health outcomes and reduce crisis-driven care. Delivery of this service will require development of an alliance between key voluntary sector organisations as well as a 10-year commitment from all partners to work together and integrate working arrangements. Key areas of focus within SEAS will be support for unpaid carers, Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), advice & information for children & young people, flexible direct support to meet different population needs as well as advice and navigation in relation to adult social care, welfare & benefits, immigration, employment & fuel poverty. Over the contract lifetime the scope is expected to expand with SEAS becoming the first consideration for commissioning any new community-based preventative services.
There is a cap on the maximum permitted annual contract value of £8,000,000.
Total value (estimated)
- £8,000,000 excluding VAT
- £9,600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2033
- Possible extension to 31 March 2037
- 11 years
Description of possible extension:
Plus 2 years, Plus 2 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
The Conditions of Participation are set out in the PSQ which can be obtained in the Proactis e-tendering portal.
Technical ability conditions of participation
The Conditions of Participation are set out in the PSQ which can be obtained in the Proactis e-tendering portal.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
22 October 2025, 2:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
24 October 2025, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
9 February 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | The weighting for the Pricing is to be decided by Stage 3 and will be between 70-100%. This is outlined in the Invite to Participate Documentation |
Quality | 90% |
| Price | The weighting for the Pricing is to be decided by Stage 3 and will be between 0-30%. This is outlined in the Invite to Participate Documentation |
Price | 10% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Potential Suppliers are advised that a known-unknown risk relating to local government reorganisation may affect this contract during its term. At present, the details of the reorganisation are not confirmed. However, the Council reserves the right to adjust the geographical coverage, scale, and scope of the contract to reflect any changes arising from this reorganisation.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Competitive flexible procedure description
Stage 1 Invite to Participate
Stage 2 Dialogue
Stage 3 Tender
High level Stage 3 evaluation criteria has been published in the procurement documents with banded weightings. These will be refined for the commencement of Stage 3.
Reduced tendering period
Yes
Light touch contract - no minimum
Contracting authority
Southampton City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCGN-2413-RBTX
Civic Centre, Civic Centre Road
Southampton
SO14 7LY
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ32 - Southampton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government