Scope
Description
Tenders are sought by Ards and North Down Borough Council (the Council) for the Provision of Advice Services. Please see tender documents for full details of the requirement.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,470,000 excluding VAT
- £1,764,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
The Contract start date is anticipated to be 1 April 2026 for an initial period of 2 years with the option to extend the contract for a further 3 x 12-month periods, subject to meeting the required standards, performance requirements and ensuring maximum uptake of advice services across the Borough.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
During the course of the contract extra funding may become available for additional services to be provided. This could also be from another funder. If or when this happens, Council will agree a variation to contract with the successful provider
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
- 79140000 - Legal advisory and information services
- 85312310 - Guidance services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Justification for not using lots
The Council has considered the use of Lots for this contract but does not believe the use of Lots is suitable due to operational requirements and loss of economies of scale. Furthermore, having re-tendered this requirement on several occasions, historically the market indicates that SMEs are adequately positioned to participate in the competition and be successful.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Please see Document A - Invitation to Tender, for full details of Conditions of Participation.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Please see Document A - Invitation to Tender, for full details of Conditions of Participation.
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
12 December 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
17 December 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders must be submitted electronically via https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/home.do
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
19 February 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 19 November 2030
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methodology, Approach and Plan | Please see Document A - Invitation to tender, for full details of this criteria |
Quality | 45% |
| Knowledge and Understanding the Brief | Please see Document A - Invitation to tender, for full details of this criteria |
Quality | 30% |
| Contract Management and Contingency | Please see Document A - Invitation to tender, for full details of this criteria |
Quality | 15% |
| Cost | Please see Document A - Invitation to tender, for full details of this criteria |
Cost | 10% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Ards and North Down Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTTZ-3295-PYCW
City Hall, The Castle
Bangor
BT20 4BT
United Kingdom
Region: UKN09 - Ards and North Down
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland