Scope
Reference
URN185
Description
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is looking to procure two Community Bereavement Support Services and is holding online pre-market engagement events on Monday 12th January 2026.
These engagement events aim to develop a clearer understanding of the market and gather insight into supplier capabilities, innovations, and delivery models for the provision of bereavement support services in Blackburn with Darwen.
The sessions will also support providers in understanding procurement requirements and will help inform the development of value-driven service specifications.
The engagement events will cover the following separate service areas:
1) Children and Families Bereavement Support Service (Lot 1)
2) Adults' Bereavement Support Service (Lot 2)
Each service will be discussed in a separate engagement session. Suppliers are welcome to attend either session or both, depending on their areas of interest, skills, and expertise.
BACKGROUND
The intended aims of both proposed services would be to provide low level emotional and practical support to those who have been bereaved; reducing stigma, supporting them to grieve, and preventing the escalation of distress by offering early intervention.
Both lots will be delivered independently but remain connected to Blackburn with Darwen's wider Public Mental Wellbeing Programme, complementing two existing contracted services already being delivered:
(1) Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training and Engagement
(2) Men's Mental Wellbeing Service
MEETING INFORMATION
The pre-market engagement events will be held ONLINE on Microsoft Teams on Monday 12th January 2026. The times will be as follows:
• Children and Families = 11:00-12:00
• Adults = 13:00-14:00
If you would like to attend either or both online meetings, please complete the relevant registration form:
• Children and Families = https://forms.office.com/e/qHZ6zhWktN
• Adults Bereavement Service = https://forms.office.com/e/1Qz5SJwSKb
Once registered, you will be sent a MS Teams invite in advance of the meeting, with joining instructions included.
Each attendee who wishes to attend should register individually.
Registration closes at 12:00 noon on Friday 9th January 2026.
Total value (estimated)
- £540,000 excluding VAT
- £648,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85323000 - Community health services
Contract locations
- UKD41 - Blackburn with Darwen
Engagement
Engagement deadline
12 January 2026
Engagement process description
MEETING INFORMATION
The pre-market engagement events will be held ONLINE on Microsoft Teams on Monday 12th January 2026. The times will be as follows:
• Children and Families = 11:00-12:00
• Adults = 13:00-14:00
If you would like to attend either or both online meetings, please complete the relative form to register yourself for the event:
• Children and Families = https://forms.office.com/e/qHZ6zhWktN
• Adults Bereavement Service = https://forms.office.com/e/1Qz5SJwSKb
Once registered, you will be sent a MS Teams invite in advance of the meeting, with joining instructions included.
Each attendee who wishes to attend should register individually.
Registration closes at 12:00 noon on Friday 9th January 2026.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
26 January 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYGR-1856-CVXM
Town Hall, King WIlliam Street
Blackburn
BB1 7DY
United Kingdom
Region: UKD41 - Blackburn with Darwen
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government