This public procurement record has 17 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

17 Jul 2026 at 13:38

AwardUpdate

23 Jun 2026 at 14:05

Award

08 Jun 2026 at 14:44

AwardUpdate

03 Jun 2026 at 14:07

AwardUpdate

22 May 2026 at 16:07

AwardUpdate

28 Apr 2026 at 12:56

AwardUpdate

28 Apr 2026 at 12:05

Award

13 Apr 2026 at 11:07

AwardUpdate

17 Mar 2026 at 16:18

Award

17 Mar 2026 at 15:39

AwardUpdate

25 Apr 2025 at 09:42

AwardUpdate

24 Apr 2025 at 16:08

AwardUpdate

28 Mar 2025 at 13:28

AwardUpdate

04 Oct 2024 at 16:07

AwardUpdate

04 Oct 2024 at 15:41

Award

16 Oct 2023 at 13:49

Tender

12 Nov 2021 at 22:45

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Work and Pensions procured Functional Assessment Services to support decisions on entitlement to Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and around 15 other specialist benefits. Suppliers provide sympathetic functional health assessments and related advice, with results forming evidence for the relevant decision maker. The service covers five geographical areas: Northern England and Scotland; the Midlands and Wales; South West England; London, the South East and East Anglia; and Northern Ireland. DWP is the main user for Lots 1 to 4, while the Department for Communities uses Lot 5. Other government departments, agencies, public bodies and devolved administrations may also access the service. This is a health and social work services requirement, including associated clinical, operational and IT delivery.

The procurement is complete and contracts were awarded through a selective competitive dialogue under the Light Touch Regime. Contracts were signed on 19 September 2023 and run from 19 September 2023 to 6 September 2031. Current contract values are £942,350,728 for Northern England and Scotland, £774,475,244 for the Midlands and Wales, £587,145,639 for South West England, £755,323,374 for London, the South East and East Anglia, and £199,137,817 for Northern Ireland. Awards went to Maximus UK Services Limited, Capita Business Services Limited, Serco Limited, Ingeus UK Limited and Capita Group Plc respectively. Evaluation considered delivery, claimant experience, staffing, recruitment and retention, skills, service quality, flexibility, improvement, performance management, implementation, security, social value and price. The tender submission deadline was 27 January 2022.

This requirement demonstrates sustained demand for large-scale, geographically organised functional health assessment services supporting statutory benefits. Credible competitors would need a substantial network of appropriately trained and deployable healthcare professionals, with recruitment, retention, training and competence controls that can support increased assessment volumes. Assessors must be registered with the General Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health and Care Professions Council or another register accepted by the Authority, and must meet prescribed experience and training requirements. Suppliers also need robust delivery and performance-management arrangements, claimant-focused service design, secure implementation and integrated IT systems capable of handling sensitive assessment and claimant data. The awarded model shows the importance of operational capacity, continuity, system interoperability, social value and the ability to manage subcontracting and other government users across multiple territories.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Functional Assessment Services (FAS) 2023 - Lot 5

Notice Description

This contract will be for the use of the Department for<br/>Work and Pensions (DWP) (Lots 1 to<br/>4) and the Department for Communities in Northern<br/>Ireland (Lot 5). The service provision<br/>will be primarily contracted through this procurement<br/>to the Authority but may allow other<br/>Government Departments and their Agencies, Non<br/>Departmental Public Bodies, and<br/>devolved administrations (including but not limited to<br/>HM Revenue and Customs, Ministry of<br/>Defence, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, National<br/>Health and Social Care) to access the<br/>services.<br/>To support the determination of an individual's<br/>entitlement to benefit, the Authority requires<br/>the delivery of a range of compatible and sympathetic<br/>Functional Health Assessments<br/>(FAS). The results of these assessments form one<br/>part of the evidence utilised by the<br/>Authority Decision Maker in making the ultimate<br/>decision on benefit entitlement on behalf of<br/>the Secretary of State.<br/>FAS Suppliers will be expected to deliver functional<br/>health assessments in relation to the<br/>following benefits:<br/>* Personal Independence Payment (PIP)<br/>https://www.gov.uk/pip<br/>* Employment Support Allowance (ESA)<br/>https://www.gov.uk/employment-supportallowance<br/>* Universal Credit (UC)<br/>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal<br/>credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick<br/>guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability or health-condition<br/>Page 4 to 22<br/>* The delivery of assessments/advice associated with<br/>15 other specialist benefits, for both <br/>DWP and other Government Departments, including Veterans UK, HM Courts and Tribunals<br/>Service and HM Revenue and Customs DWP ran a procurement using the Light Touch Regime and a modified process with commercial dialogue in accordance with Regulations74 to 76 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. For Lot 5, DWP conducted aspects of the procurement process on behalf of the Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland. The procedure is set out clearly in the published Invitation to Tender document. The service will be divided into five (5) geographical lots: <br/>Lot 1 - Northern England and Scotland <br/>Lot 2 - Midlands and Wales <br/>Lot 3 - South West England <br/>Lot 4 - London, South East & East Anglia <br/>Lot 5 - Northern Ireland

Lot Information

Lot 1: Northern England and Scotland

This contract will be for the use of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (Lots 1 to 4) and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland (Lot 5). The service provision will be primarily contracted through this procurement to the Authority but may allow other Government Departments and their Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, and devolved administrations (including but not limited to HM Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Defence, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, National Health and Social Care) to access the services.
To support the determination of an individual's entitlement to benefit, the Authority requires the delivery of a range of compatible and sympathetic Functional Health Assessments (FAS). The results of these assessments form one part of the evidence utilised by the Authority Decision Maker in making the ultimate decision on benefit entitlement on behalf of the Secretary of State (or in the case of Lot 5, the Department for Communities).
FAS Suppliers will be expected to deliver functional health assessments in relation to the following benefits:
* Personal Independence Payment (PIP)- https://www.gov.uk/pip
* Employment Support Allowance (ESA)- https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance
* Universal Credit (UC)- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition
* The delivery of assessments/advice associated with 15 other specialist benefits, for both DWP and other Government Departments, including Veterans UK, HM Courts and Tribunals Service and HM Revenue and Customs
DWP ran a procurement using the Light Touch Regime and a modified process with commercial dialogue in accordance with Regulations 74 to 76 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. For Lot 5, DWP conducted aspects of the procurement process on behalf of the Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland. The procedure is set out clearly in the published Invitation to Tender document.
The service will be divided into five (5) geographical lots:
Lot 1 - Northern England and Scotland
Lot 2 - Midlands and Wales
Lot 3 - South West England
Lot 4 - London, South East & East Anglia
Lot 5 - Northern Ireland

Options: Following implementation, the contractual term is for 5 years, with the provision to extend at the Authority's discretion, for up to a maximum of a further 2 years (i.e. any number of extensions, in any number of months provided the total extension period does not exceed two years).

Lot 2: Midlands and Wales

see II.1.4. Additional information: Social Value - weighting 10.15

Options: Following implementation, the contractual term is for 5 years, with the provision to extend at the Authority's discretion, for up to a maximum of a further 2 years (i.e. any number of extensions, in any number of months provided the total extension period does not exceed two years).

Lot 3: South West, England

see II.1.4. Additional information: Social Value - weighting 10.15

Options: Following implementation, the contractual term is for 5 years, with the provision to extend at the Authority's discretion, for up to a maximum of a further 2 years (i.e. any number of extensions, in any number of months provided the total extension period does not exceed two years).

Lot 4: London, South East & East Anglia

see II.1.4. Additional information: Social Value - weighting 10.15

Options: Following implementation, the contractual term is for 5 years, with the provision to extend at the Authority's discretion, for up to a maximum of a further 2 years (i.e. any number of extensions, in any number of months provided the total extension period does not exceed two years).

Lot 5: Northern Ireland

see II.1.4. Additional information: Social Value - weighting 10.15

Options: Following implementation, the contractual term is for 5 years, with the provision to extend at the Authority's discretion, for up to a maximum of a further 2 years (i.e. any number of extensions, in any number of months provided the total extension period does not exceed two years).

Functional Assessment Service (FAS) 2024

This contract will be for the use of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (Lots 1 to 4) and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland (Lot 5). The service provision will be primarily contracted through this procurement to the Authority but may allow other Government Departments and their Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, and devolved administrations (including but not limited to HM Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Defence, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, National Health and Social Care) to access the services. To support the determination of an individual's entitlement to benefit, the Authority requires the delivery of a range of compatible and sympathetic Functional Health Assessments (FAS). The results of these assessments form one part of the evidence utilised by the Authority Decision Maker in making the ultimate decision on benefit entitlement on behalf of the Secretary of State. FAS Suppliers will be expected to deliver functional health assessments in relation to the following benefits: * Personal Independence Payment (PIP)- https://www.gov.uk/pip * Employment Support Allowance (ESA)- https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance * Universal Credit (UC)- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition * The delivery of assessments/advice associated with 15 other specialist benefits, for both DWP and other Government Departments, including Veterans UK, HM Courts and Tribunals Service and HM Revenue and Customs DWP ran a procurement using the Light Touch Regime and a modified process with commercial dialogue in accordance with Regulations 74 to 76 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. For Lot 5, DWP conducted aspects of the procurement process on behalf of the Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland. The procedure is set out clearly in the published Invitation to Tender document. The service will be divided into five (5) geographical lots: Lot 1 - Northern England and Scotland Lot 2 - Midlands and Wales Lot 3 - South West England Lot 4 - London, South East & East Anglia Lot 5 - Northern Ireland

Functional Assessment Service (FAS) 2024

This contract will be for the use of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (Lots 1 to 4) and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland (Lot 5). The service provision will be primarily contracted through this procurement to the Authority but may allow other Government Departments and their Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, and devolved administrations (including but not limited to HM Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Defence, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, National Health and Social Care) to access the services. To support the determination of an individual's entitlement to benefit, the Authority requires the delivery of a range of compatible and sympathetic Functional Health Assessments (FAS). The results of these assessments form one part of the evidence utilised by the Authority Decision Maker in making the ultimate decision on benefit entitlement on behalf of the Secretary of State. FAS Suppliers will be expected to deliver functional health assessments in relation to the following benefits: * Personal Independence Payment (PIP)- https://www.gov.uk/pip * Employment Support Allowance (ESA)- https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance * Universal Credit (UC)- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition * The delivery of assessments/advice associated with 15 other specialist benefits, for both DWP and other Government Departments, including Veterans UK, HM Courts and Tribunals Service and HM Revenue and Customs DWP ran a procurement using the Light Touch Regime and a modified process with commercial dialogue in accordance with Regulations 74 to 76 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. For Lot 5, DWP conducted aspects of the procurement process on behalf of the Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland. The procedure is set out clearly in the published Invitation to Tender document. The service will be divided into five (5) geographical lots: Lot 1 - Northern England and Scotland Lot 2 - Midlands and Wales Lot 3 - South West England Lot 4 - London, South East & East Anglia Lot 5 - Northern Ireland

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-02f666
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067815-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive dialogue
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,796,800,000 £1B-£10B
Lots Value
£1,960,900,000 £1B-£10B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£9,887,273,023 £1B-£10B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Jan 2022Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Sep 20196 years ago
Contract Period
19 Sep 2023 - 6 Sep 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Work & Pensions
Additional Buyers

Department for Work and Pensions

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEEDS
Postcode
SW1H 9NA
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
8
Supplier Names

CAPITA BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED

Capita Business Services Ltd

Capita Group Plc

INGEUS UK LTD

Ingeus UK Limited

MAXIMUS UK SERVICES LIMITED

SERCO LIMITED

Serco Group

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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