Scope
Reference
WNC00000569
Description
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) seeks experienced delivery partners to implement the South Midlands Connect to Work Programme in West Northamptonshire.
Information on the Connect to Work Grant Guidance for England can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connect-to-work/connect-to-work-grant-guidance-for-england
Connect to Work is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) initiative supporting people with disabilities or long-term health conditions to find and sustain employment. It forms part of the UK Government's Get Britain Working strategy to reduce economic inactivity and promote inclusive growth.
The Connect to Work programme aims to support 1565 economically inactive residents in West Northamptonshire over the next five years by delivering personalised support, including employability training, confidence building, and workplace adjustment advice, increasing awareness and access to local job opportunities, identifying and addressing barriers to employment for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, reducing economic inactivity and reliance on other services through sustained employment, promoting diversity and inclusion among local employers and working collaboratively with other South Midlands local authorities.
This funding is allocated to the South Midlands Partnership region. WNC is the accountable body for Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, North Northamptonshire, and West Northamptonshire. This tender relates specifically to West Northamptonshire.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,422,033 excluding VAT
- £1,706,439.60 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80500000 - Training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
- 98110000 - Services furnished by business, professional and specialist organisations
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
- 79611000 - Job search services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKF24 - West Northamptonshire
Submission
Tender submission deadline
23 January 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
25 February 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Scoring criteria is detailed within the Tender documents. |
Quality | 90% |
| Social Value | Scoring criteria is detailed within the Tender documents. |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
West Northamptonshire Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGDV-8944-CMBP
Angel Street
Northampton
NN1 1ED
United Kingdom
Contact name: Claire Baker
Region: UKF24 - West Northamptonshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government