Scope
Reference
25_26 749
Description
Buckinghamshire Council is seeking an experienced supplier(s) to deliver its Asylum support service.
The service is divided into 2 geographical areas referred to as Lots, namely Lot 1 (North Buckinghamshire) and Lot 2 (South Buckinghamshire). Suppliers may bid for one or both Lots.
Using Asylum Dispersal grant funding from the Home Office, this new service aims to reduce the impact on council services through the provision of support to asylum seekers and refugees covering:
• Information and advice
• Language support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Wellbeing activities
• Signposting and supporting with access to key services
• Establishing drop-in centres in key locations to provide advice and practical support
The services start date is anticipated to be 1st March 2026. The contract term will be for two years. The 2 year initial term ends 29 February 2028. The Council may at its discretion extend the contract for two further extensions of 12 months each, subject to funding.
Lot 1 - There is a budget cap of £30,000 for each year of the contract period including the extension periods. (£120,000 budget for the full contract term including extensions).
Lot 2 - There is a budget cap of £45,000 for each year of the contract period including the extension periods. (£180,000 budget for the full contract term including extensions).
The Invitation to tender documents for this opportunity are published on the Council's procurement portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/buckinghamshire-council.
If you wish to participate and have not yet registered, please ensure you do so via the procurement portal in order to access the documentation. Tenders must be returned via the Council's procurement portal. The tender return date is midday on Monday 1st December 2025. Tenders received after this time and date will not be accepted.
Total value (estimated)
- £300,000 excluding VAT
- £360,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2026 to 29 February 2028
- Possible extension to 28 February 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
The Council may at its discretion extend the contract for two further extensions of up to 12 months each, subject to funding.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
- 79140000 - Legal advisory and information services
- 80580000 - Provision of language courses
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
- 85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people
- 85312310 - Guidance services
- 85312320 - Counselling services
- 85320000 - Social services
- 85322000 - Community action programme
- 85323000 - Community health services
- 92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Contract locations
- UKJ13 - Buckinghamshire CC
Lot 1. Lot 1 North Buckinghamshire
Description
Buckinghamshire Council is seeking an experienced supplier to deliver its Asylum support service for Lot 1 North Buckinghamshire.
Using Asylum Dispersal grant funding from the Home Office, this new service aims to reduce the impact on council services through the provision of support to asylum seekers and refugees covering:
• Information and advice
• Language support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Wellbeing activities
• Signposting and supporting with access to key services
• Establishing drop-in centres in key locations to provide advice and practical support
The services start date is anticipated to be 1st March 2026. The contract term will be for two years. The 2 year initial term ends 29 February 2028. The Council may at its discretion extend the contract for two further extensions of 12 months each, subject to funding.
Lot 1 - There is a budget cap of £30,000 for each year of the contract period including the extension periods. (£120,000 budget for the full contract term including extensions).
Lot value (estimated)
- £120,000 excluding VAT
- £144,000 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 South Buckinghamshire
Description
Buckinghamshire Council is seeking an experienced supplier(s) to deliver its Asylum support service.
Using Asylum Dispersal grant funding from the Home Office, this new service aims to reduce the impact on council services through the provision of support to asylum seekers and refugees covering:
• Information and advice
• Language support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Wellbeing activities
• Signposting and supporting with access to key services
• Establishing drop-in centres in key locations to provide advice and practical support
The services start date is anticipated to be 1st March 2026. The contract term will be for two years. The 2 year initial term ends 29 February 2028. The Council may at its discretion extend the contract for two further extensions of 12 months each, subject to funding.
Lot 2 - There is a budget cap of £45,000 for each year of the contract period including the extension periods. (£180,000 budget for the full contract term including extensions).
Lot value (estimated)
- £180,000 excluding VAT
- £216,000 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 North Buckinghamshire
Lot 2. Lot 2 South Buckinghamshire
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
19 November 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
1 December 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
Quality weighting 60%, Price weighting 40% for each Lot.
Full details of the award criteria are including in the Invitation to Tender documents available on the Council's e-tendering Portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/buckinghamshire-council. You will need to register on the Portal to access the tender documents.
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Buckinghamshire Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCLJ-2677-YQXD
The Gateway, Gatehouse Road
Aylesbury
HP198FF
United Kingdom
Contact name: Ann Spence
Region: UKJ13 - Buckinghamshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government