{ "uri": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsReleasePackages/ocds-h6vhtk-07b558?limit=100&updatedTo=2026-11-07T10:21:00", "version": "1.1", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json" ], "publishedDate": "2026-11-05T14:04:37Z", "publisher": { "name": "Cabinet Office", "scheme": "GB-GOR", "uid": "D2", "uri": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office" }, "license": "http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/", "publicationPolicy": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-contracting", "releases": [ { "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-07b558", "id": "105240-2026", "tag": [ "tender" ], "date": "2026-11-05T14:04:37Z", "initiationType": "tender", "parties": [ { "name": "Portsmouth City Council", "id": "GB-PPON-PCNL-5714-PRZV", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PCNL-5714-PRZV" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Civic Offices, Guildhall Square", "locality": "Portsmouth", "postalCode": "PO1 2AL", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKJ31" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "procurement@portsmouthcc.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - sub-central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PCNL-5714-PRZV", "name": "Portsmouth City Council" }, "tender": { "id": "P00005271", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Employment Readiness and Progression Support Service - Portsmouth 2026", "description": "Portsmouth City Council ('the Council') is inviting tenders from suitably qualified Providers to provide a specialist Employment Readiness and Progression Support Service for adults aged 18 and over who have a learning disability and/or are autistic or self-identify as neurodivergent. \nThe Contract will commence on 1 April 2027 for an initial term of two years. The Council may, at its sole discretion, extend the Contract for one or more further periods, provided that the total Contract term does not exceed five years from the Contract Commencement Date.\nThe Council has identified an indicative budget of approximately £80,000 per annum excluding VAT for delivery of the Service and is seeking proposals that demonstrate how the best possible outcomes can be achieved within the available funding.\nThe successful Provider will be required to deliver the Services in accordance with the Contract, Specification, submitted Tender and any agreed mobilisation arrangements.\nBackground information\nThe Council currently commissions a specialist employment support service for adults with a learning disability. Through service review, preliminary market engagement and wider employment pathway development work, the Council has identified an opportunity to remodel the service to create a clearer progression route towards employment for adults with a learning disability and autistic and neurodivergent adults.\nThe Council recognises that many individuals who aspire to paid employment require additional support before they are ready to engage successfully with employment-focused programmes. People may require support to build confidence, independence, work-related routines, practical skills, travel confidence, workplace understanding and relevant experience before progressing towards employment opportunities.\nThe employment support landscape has also evolved through the introduction and expansion of programmes such as Connect to Work. The Council considers that specialist work-readiness support and employment-placement support perform distinct functions within an individual's employment journey and can be most effective when delivered as part of a coordinated pathway.\nThe recommissioned service therefore represents a shift towards a dedicated Employment Readiness and Progression Support Service. The Council's objective is to establish a service that helps individuals identify and overcome barriers to employment, develop skills and confidence, access meaningful development opportunities and progress towards paid employment through appropriate pathways and partnerships.\nThe Council also wishes to strengthen co-production, employer engagement and partnership working to improve employment opportunities and outcomes for people with learning disabilities and autistic and neurodivergent adults. The successful Provider will play a key role in supporting this ambition through collaborative working with individuals, employers, stakeholders and partner organisations.\nSpecification\nThe Council is seeking a Provider to deliver a specialist Employment Readiness and Progression Support Service for adults aged 18 and over who have a learning disability and/or are autistic or self-identify as neurodivergent. The service is intended for individuals who aspire to paid employment but who require additional support to develop their readiness for employment and progression towards appropriate employment opportunities. \nThe successful Provider will deliver an accessible, strengths-based and person-centred service that supports individuals to identify aspirations, understand and overcome barriers, develop practical skills and confidence, and progress towards meaningful employment outcomes. \nThe primary purpose of the service is to prepare individuals for progression towards employment through personalised work-readiness support, skills development, employer engagement and structured progression planning.\nThe successful Provider will be expected to:\n•\tundertake strengths-based assessments and develop co-produced employment readiness and progression plans\n•\tprovide tailored individual and group-based support\n•\tsupport confidence building, independence, communication, workplace behaviours, travel skills, routine development and self-advocacy\n•\tfacilitate access to volunteering, work experience, work tasters, workplace visits and other purposeful development opportunities\n•\tdevelop and maintain relationships with employers and promote inclusive employment opportunities\n•\tsupport individuals to identify and address barriers that may affect progression towards employment\n•\tsupport the appropriate use of Personal Budgets, Direct Payments and Individual Service Funds where additional support is required to help achieve employment-related outcomes\n•\testablish effective referral, progression and transition arrangements with Connect to Work and other relevant services\n•\tembed co-production and lived experience in the design, delivery, review and continuous improvement of the service\n•\tcollect and report performance and outcome information in accordance with the Specification\nA key objective of the service is to increase access to employment-related opportunities through effective employer engagement, partnership working and progression planning. The Provider will be expected to work collaboratively with employers, community organisations and relevant stakeholders to support sustainable progression towards employment. \nThe successful Provider will also be required to mobilise the service prior to the Contract Commencement Date. Mobilisation activities are expected to include implementation planning, stakeholder engagement, referral pathway development, workforce mobilisation, governance arrangements, performance reporting arrangements and any other activities necessary to ensure the service is fully operational from the commencement date. \nThe Service must be delivered in accordance with the core service principles set out within the Specification, including strengths-based practice, person-centred support, co-production, inclusion and progression towards meaningful employment outcomes. \nAs the remodelled service differs materially from the current service model, the Provider will be required to establish baseline information relating to demand, activity, outcomes, employer engagement and service performance during the first contract year. This information will inform the future development of contractual Key Performance Indicators and associated targets. \nFull details of the service requirements are set out within the Specification.\nThe Council has identified an indicative core service budget of £80,000 per annum excluding VAT for delivery of the Services. In addition, the Council has identified an indicative allowance of £8,000 per annum excluding VAT for expenditure through Personal Budgets and/or Individual Service Funds to support employment-related outcomes in accordance with the Specification.\nFor procurement planning, tendering and evaluation purposes, the maximum total value of the Contract, including the Initial Contract Term and all available Extension Periods, is £467,203.95 exclusive of VAT. This value has been calculated using:\n•\tan indicative annual core service value of £80,000 in Contract Year 1;\n•\tan indicative annual Personal Budget and Individual Service Fund allowance of £8,000 in Contract Year 1;\n•\tan illustrative annual uplift of 3% in each subsequent Contract Year; and\n•\tthe assumption that the Initial Contract Term and all available Extension Periods are exercised.\nThe Maximum Total Value stated above has been calculated solely for procurement planning, tendering and evaluation purposes. The Council acknowledges that actual expenditure during the Contract term may differ from these estimates. In particular, actual inflationary adjustments, approved expenditure through Personal Budgets or Individual Service Funds, changes in service demand, funding arrangements or other operational requirements may result in the total Contract expenditure exceeding the Maximum Total Value stated above.\nContract Duration\nThe contract will commence on 1 April 2027 and will have an initial term of two years.\nSubject to satisfactory performance, continued service need and the availability of funding, following expiry of the initial term, the Council may, at its sole discretion, extend the Contract for one or more further periods, provided that the total Contract term does not exceed five (5) years from the Contract Commencement Date.\nTUPE\nThe Council considers it likely that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (\"TUPE\") will apply to the Services. However, it is the responsibility of each Provider to obtain its own legal advice and satisfy itself as to the applicability and potential implications of TUPE.\nThe Council will make available any TUPE information it holds, subject to the Provider first entering into a Non-Disclosure Agreement (\"NDA\"). Any information provided pursuant to the NDA must be treated as confidential and used solely for the purposes of preparing and submitting a Tender.\nProcurement Procedure and programme\nThe Council is conducting a competitive procurement process for this below-threshold contract.\nThis procurement timetable is indicative and, while the council does not intend to depart from it, it reserves the right to do so at any time.\nContract notice published on FTS -\t5 November 2026\nProcurement documents available on In-tend - 5 November 2026\nDeadline for requests for clarification - 26 November 2026 @ 17:00\nTender return deadline - 3 December 2026 @ 17:00\nEvaluation of tenders completed - 15 January 2027\nNotify Providers of the outcome and issue evaluation feedback - 21 January 2027\nContract award - 22 January 2027\nMobilisation - 23 January 2027 to 31 March 2027\nStart of Contract - 1 April 2027", "status": "active", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "79611000", "description": "Job search services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85000000", "description": "Health and social work services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKJ31", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKJ35", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "value": { "amountGross": 564000, "amount": 470000, "currency": "GBP" }, "procurementMethod": "open", "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - open competition", "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "specialRegime": [ "lightTouch" ], "aboveThreshold": false, "submissionMethodDetails": "https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/home", "submissionTerms": { "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed" }, "tenderPeriod": { "endDate": "2026-12-03T17:00:00Z" }, "enquiryPeriod": { "endDate": "2026-11-26T17:00:00Z" }, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "status": "active", "value": { "amountGross": 564000, "amount": 470000, "currency": "GBP" }, "awardCriteria": { "criteria": [ { "type": "quality", "name": "Quality", "description": "1.\t\tMobilisation and Service Implementation\t5%\n2.\t\tWorkforce Capability and Specialist Knowledge\t10%\n3.\t\tPerson-Centred Support, Progression and Outcomes\n3a.\tCase Study 1 - 'Sarah'\t7.5% - sub weighting\n3b.\tCase Study 2 - 'Michael'\t7.5% - sub weighting\n4.\t\tService User Pathway and Personalised Support\t12%\n5.\t\tDeveloping Opportunities and Overcoming Barriers\t10%\n6.\t\tPartnership Working, Progression and Transitions\t10%\n7.\t\tPerformance, Learning and Service Improvement\t8%", "numbers": [ { "number": 70, "weight": "percentageExact" } ] }, { "type": "price", "name": "Cost", "numbers": [ { "number": 30, "weight": "percentageExact" } ] } ] }, "selectionCriteria": { "criteria": [ { "description": "Central Digital Platform\nProviders are required to register on the Central Digital Platform and upload and/or check that their core Provider information on the Central Digital Platform relating to their company information, Mandatory and Discretionary Exclusions, Connected Persons, and economic and financial standing is all up to date and accurate at the point of submitting a Tender Response. Where relevant, Providers will also need to provide information concerning Associated Persons and intended Sub-contractors. \nShould there be any inconsistency between this information and the information as submitted in response to this Procurement, the Provider will need to provide evidence as to the accuracy of their submission and failure to do so could result in the Provider being excluded for Improper Behaviour.\nTender evaluation principles\nThe evaluation of responses takes place in two stages:\n•\tEvaluation of exclusion information and the minimum Provider requirements set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire will take place first. Only Providers that satisfy those requirements will proceed to evaluation of the Quality Assessment Questions and Pricing.\n•\tEvaluation of award criteria takes place second and comprises evaluation of the responses to the Quality Assessment Questions (QAQ) and Pricing.\nWhere a Provider has satisfied the minimum requirements within the PSQ, their responses to the Quality Assessment Questions (QAQ) will then be evaluated against the following award criteria:\nQuality\t70%\nPrice\t30%" } ] }, "suitability": { "sme": true, "vcse": true }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2027-04-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2032-03-31T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "The contract will commence on 1 April 2027 and will have an initial term of two years.\nSubject to satisfactory performance, continued service need and the availability of funding, following expiry of the initial term, the Council may, at its sole discretion, extend the Contract for one or more further periods, provided that the total Contract term does not exceed five (5) years from the Contract Commencement Date.\nAny extension will be exercised at the Council's sole discretion and will not create an entitlement or expectation that the contract will continue beyond the initial term. The maximum potential contract period, including all available extensions, is five years." } } ], "documents": [ { "id": "105240-2026", "documentType": "tenderNotice", "noticeType": "UK4", "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/105240-2026", "datePublished": "2026-11-05T14:04:37Z", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "language": "en" } ] }