Scope
Reference
SCE0044
Description
**THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION**
Leicester City Council (the Authority) are considering commissioning a Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation - Sanctuary Scheme service for Leicester City. It is anticipated that tenders for this service would be sought in January 2026, to enable a new contract to begin on 1st June 2026. The Authority is likely to use the Open Procedure in line with the Procurement Act 2023.
A Sanctuary Service is a survivor centred initiative which aims to make it possible for victim-survivors of domestic abuse to remain in their own homes, where it is safe for them to do so, where it is their choice, and where the perpetrator does not live in the accommodation. This is done by providing additional security - 'installing a sanctuary' - to the victims' property or perimeter alongside the provision of specialist domestic abuse support.
The service is to be provided free of charge to applicants. The local authority will be looking for a provider to deliver a prompt and effective target hardening measures for domestic abuse victims in Leicester in collaboration with the specialist locality domestic abuse support service. The provider will need to work closely and efficiently with this service and robustly evidence clear impact of meeting local need.
This service will be provided within the boundaries of Leicester city.
Total value (estimated)
- £240,000 excluding VAT
- £288,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 June 2026 to 30 June 2027
- Possible extension to 30 June 2029
- 3 years, 1 month
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 44521100 - Locks
- 44521130 - Enhanced security lock
- 98395000 - Locksmith services
Contract locations
- UKF21 - Leicester
Engagement
Engagement deadline
27 November 2025
Engagement process description
As part of the commissioning process, the authority is conducting a second Soft Market Test (SMT). The documentation published as part of this SMT now includes a draft specification highlighting in more detail the proposed key requirements for this service. This gives potential providers and other stakeholders in the wider market the opportunity to express their interests and feed in their views about the potential service model and specification principles. The commissioners will use the information to appraise options and further develop the specification.
This process does not constitute a formal tender or other competitive bidding process and will not result in the letting of a Contract. The authority is using this process solely to test the market to gather information and ascertain the level of interest in this particular service. There are therefore no formal criteria which we will use to judge your responses, and it is not our intention to provide any feedback.
To participate in this Preliminary Market Engagement, for organisations that may be interested, either individually or as part of a consortium, please complete the Soft Market Testing questionnaire. The SMT Questionnaire must be completed and submitted by no later than 23:59hrs on Thursday 27th November 2025.
The PME Questionnaire can be accessed through the following link:
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=ca800ca3-42c6-f011-813a-005056b64545
Please be aware that we are subject to the disclosure requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and that potentially any information we hold is liable to disclosure under that Act. For this reason, we would strongly advise that any information you consider to be confidential is labelled as such. The Authority may also decide to include certain information in the publication scheme which the Authority maintains under the Act. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("FOIA"), members of the public or any interested party may make a request for information to the Authority. The Authority will consider the disclosure of any information, contained in the PME questionnaire, subject to the exemptions under the FOIA.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
5 January 2026
Contracting authority
Leicester City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXRT-5737-VBQD
City Hall
Leicester
LE1 1FZ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Muhammad Sidat
Email: muhammad.sidat@leicester.gov.uk
Website: https://www.leicester.gov.uk
Region: UKF21 - Leicester
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government