Independent Evaluation of the Better Security, Better Care Programme (October 2025 to October 2028)

Better Security Better Care

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

18 Sep 2026 at 11:02

Summary of the contracting process

Better Security, Better Care is seeking an independent evaluation partner for its nationally delivered programme supporting around 28,000 CQC-registered adult social care locations in England. The evaluation will assess delivery, impact, sustainability, value for money and wider social and economic benefits as the programme helps providers improve cyber security, data protection, information governance and compliance with the Data Security and Protection Toolkit. Digital Care Hub leads delivery through more than 30 Local Support Organisations, combining national guidance, training, communications, data analysis and performance management with local support. The work is a mixed-method programme and economic evaluation service, covering governance, stakeholder engagement, partner effectiveness, reach, behaviour change, resilience, cost effectiveness and return on investment. The buyer is Better Security Better Care.

The buyer invited offers through a limited competitive quotation procedure below the public procurement threshold, so this opportunity has reached tender. Clarification questions are due by 14 October 2026 and tenders by 18 October 2026 at 23:00 BST. The proposed contract period is 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2029, with close-down and dissemination support continuing to March 2029. Its estimated value is between £100,000 and £125,000 including VAT. Required outputs include an evaluation framework and inception report within three months, ongoing data collection and analysis, monthly progress meetings, an interim report by September 2027, and final reports, presentation and dissemination materials by October 2028. Evaluation weighting is understanding 15%, methodology 35%, experience 20%, project management 10%, social value 10% and price 10%.

This suits evaluation consultancies, research organisations and capable smaller or voluntary-sector providers with experience of programme and economic evaluation, publicly funded work, mixed-method research, stakeholder engagement and clear report writing. Bidders need to provide a credible methodology, data collection and analysis plans, delivery timetable, resourcing, quality assurance, risk management, pricing assumptions, social value proposals and up to three relevant examples. Relevant subject knowledge must include adult social care, health and care systems, cyber security, digital transformation or information governance. The successful supplier will need to manage national and local stakeholders, work with programme data and produce evidence-based recommendations that support continuous improvement. Delivery also requires compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, confidentiality, insurance, procurement, equality and safeguarding obligations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Evaluation of the Better Security, Better Care Programme (October 2025 to October 2028)

Notice Description

Digital Care Hub is seeking an independent evaluation partner to assess the delivery, impact, sustainability and value for money of the Better Security, Better Care (BSBC) programme. Funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, BSBC supports approximately 28,000 CQC-registered adult social care locations in England to improve cyber security, data protection and information governance, including compliance with the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). Delivery is led nationally by Digital Care Hub through more than 30 Local Support Organisations, combining central leadership, guidance, training, communications, data analysis and performance management with trusted local support. The supplier will design and deliver a proportionate mixed-method evaluation covering programme governance and delivery, stakeholder engagement, partner effectiveness, reach, changes in awareness and behaviour, adoption of good practice, DSPT outcomes, organisational resilience, wider benefits, cost effectiveness, return on investment and social and economic value. The work should identify lessons, good practice and evidence-based recommendations while providing ongoing insight to support continuous improvement. Key deliverables are an evaluation framework and inception report within three months; ongoing data collection, analysis and stakeholder engagement; monthly progress meetings; an interim report by September 2027; and a final evaluation report, shorter executive report, presentation and dissemination-ready outputs by October 2028. Close-down and dissemination support will continue to March 2029. The proposed contract runs from October 2026 to March 2029, with a maximum budget of PS125,000 inclusive of VAT. Bidders must demonstrate strong experience in programme and economic evaluation, publicly funded programmes, mixed-method research, stakeholder engagement and report writing. Knowledge of adult social care, health and care systems, cyber security, digital transformation or information governance is required. Tender responses must include organisation and personnel details, methodology, data collection and analysis plans, delivery timetable, resourcing, quality assurance, risk management, up to three relevant examples, a full pricing schedule, assumptions and proposed social value. Evaluation weightings are: understanding 15%, methodology 35%, experience 20%, project management 10%, social value 10% and price 10%. The supplier must comply with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, confidentiality, insurance, procurement, equality and safeguarding requirements. Clarification questions are due by 14 October 2026 and tenders by 18 October 2026. Please see attachment for full specifications.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-fecb8352-6372-4c24-a4be-5c1f51ce745b
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/490c2177-bd1c-43b0-b35a-896eba9862dc
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Competitive quotation (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£125,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
18 Oct 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Better Security Better Care
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WIRRAL
Postcode
CH62 3NX
Postcode Area
Chester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD74 Wirral
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Wirral
Electoral Ward
Bromborough
Westminster Constituency
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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