Award

Colleague Safeguarding Support Services

OFCOM

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

12 Sep 2025 at 13:59

Tender

17 Feb 2025 at 10:30

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process detailed here involves the award of a contract by Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, for "Colleague Safeguarding Support Services" within the business services sector. The contract was awarded to March on Stress Ltd. The procurement is categorised under CPV code 71356300 for technical support services, aimed at providing a support package for colleagues working with distressing content and material. The procurement process, initiated as an open procedure, has reached the 'Award' stage as of 12 September 2025, and the contract was signed on 1 June 2025. The tender, initially in the 'active' stage, involved services to be delivered in London, and was estimated at a value of £360,000. Key principles included psychological screening, risk assessment, tailored support, and frequent monitoring to ensure the safety and well-being of high-risk role colleagues.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in psychological services, consultancy, clinical support, and tailored employee assistance programmes. Companies that can offer flexibility and adaptability in their services, as well as expertise in the delivery of psychological assessment and trauma therapy, would be well-positioned to compete for such contracts. The requirement for agility and the capacity to evolve the support services in line with Ofcom’s needs also suggests an ongoing demand for innovative solutions and skilled professionals capable of addressing mental health support in the workplace. Smaller and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), like March on Stress Ltd., which was awarded the contract, can leverage such opportunities to expand their service offerings within the public sector.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Colleague Safeguarding Support Services

Notice Description

Ofcom has a requirement for a package of support for colleagues working with Distressing Content and Material. The current key principles of this approach are: 5. Risk Assess the Role - Directors will assess the relevant role to understand the risk presented by the work and assign a role risk tier (high or low). 6. Understand the Individual - We recognise that what could cause distress or negatively affect people varies from person to person and that individuals have different needs when it comes to managing working with DCM safely. o Where colleagues are in High Tier roles, their individual needs are assessed through an annual psychological screening and assessment with an external provider, along with any specific needs they self-identify. o For Low Tier roles, individual needs are only self-identified. 7. Provide tailored support - Support will include in-role support, expert assessment and clinical support provided by our external provider as appropriate. 8. Monitor and review - Relevant roles will be monitored to understand changes in the nature of the risk that might require roles to be reassessed. We also recognise that the needs of colleagues may change over time, and the support available will be adjusted accordingly. Enhanced support: Colleagues may be identified as requiring enhanced support for them to conduct their roles safely and will be offered biannual psychological screening. Examples of when a colleague may access enhanced support include: * Our external provider (as identified through this tender process) recommends enhanced support after a psychological screening and assessment. * The colleague identifies that they require more support to complete the work safely. * The need for more support is identified by a line manager during a safeguarding conversation or wellbeing conversation during a 1:1 * Managers may pre-emptively request Enhanced Support an individual colleague or whole team to if a role or piece of work is felt to be very high risk This should be done with the approval of a Director. * If a colleague notifies their managers that they are pregnant, that they have given birth, or their partner has given birth in the last 6 months. Ofcom requires a package of external specialist support to accompany this strategy and policy by providing psychological screening and assessment for colleagues, to identify the tailored support that they need to do their role safely, trauma therapy for those identified as requiring clinical support and training to support Line Managers to successfully deliver this policy. This process has been in effect for one year and is still being reviewed and enhanced. Over the course of the tender this pathway may evolve and develop so it is important that a service is able to support and adapt, mirroring Ofcom's approach to agility. We currently have approximately 300 colleagues in high tier roles review of how roles are risk assessed is underway and it is anticipated that enhancements will be made that may impact upon this figure. As a minimum, the service must deliver the following: Commercial Document CD098 (Version 1.1) Page 11 of 47 ITT - Open Procedure Last Updated: 19 April 2024 Next Review Date: 19 April 2025 Classification: CONFIDENTIAL 1. A validated online psychological surveillance questionnaire to identify where Colleagues reacquire additional to work with DCM safely. o Offered to all "high tier" colleagues annually and colleagues who are identified as reacquiring "enhanced support" support bi-annually. o This process should then determine whether that person either needs no further intervention or if they would benefit from an assessment. o Manage the issuing of invitations, reminders, and survey results to Ofcom colleagues. o Maintain and provide records including colleagues who have completed the questionnaire and dates, high level overviews of trends and themes, individual repots identifying needs and support for colleagues.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Ofcom has a requirement for a package of support for colleagues working with Distressing Content and Material. The current key principles of this approach are: 5. Risk Assess the Role - Directors will assess the relevant role to understand the risk presented by the work and assign a role risk tier (high or low). 6. Understand the Individual - We recognise that what could cause distress or negatively affect people varies from person to person and that individuals have different needs when it comes to managing working with DCM safely. o Where colleagues are in High Tier roles, their individual needs are assessed through an annual psychological screening and assessment with an external provider, along with any specific needs they self-identify. o For Low Tier roles, individual needs are only self-identified. 7. Provide tailored support - Support will include in-role support, expert assessment and clinical support provided by our external provider as appropriate. 8. Monitor and review - Relevant roles will be monitored to understand changes in the nature of the risk that might require roles to be reassessed. We also recognise that the needs of colleagues may change over time, and the support available will be adjusted accordingly. Enhanced support: Colleagues may be identified as requiring enhanced support for them to conduct their roles safely and will be offered biannual psychological screening. Examples of when a colleague may access enhanced support include: * Our external provider (as identified through this tender process) recommends enhanced support after a psychological screening and assessment. * The colleague identifies that they require more support to complete the work safely. * The need for more support is identified by a line manager during a safeguarding conversation or wellbeing conversation during a 1:1 * Managers may pre-emptively request Enhanced Support an individual colleague or whole team to if a role or piece of work is felt to be very high risk This should be done with the approval of a Director. * If a colleague notifies their managers that they are pregnant, that they have given birth, or their partner has given birth in the last 6 months. Ofcom requires a package of external specialist support to accompany this strategy and policy by providing psychological screening and assessment for colleagues, to identify the tailored support that they need to do their role safely, trauma therapy for those identified as requiring clinical support and training to support Line Managers to successfully deliver this policy. This process has been in effect for one year and is still being reviewed and enhanced. Over the course of the tender this pathway may evolve and develop so it is important that a service is able to support and adapt, mirroring Ofcom's approach to agility. We currently have approximately 300 colleagues in high tier roles review of how roles are risk assessed is underway and it is anticipated that enhancements will be made that may impact upon this figure. As a minimum, the service must deliver the following: Commercial Document CD098 (Version 1.1) Page 11 of 47 ITT - Open Procedure Last Updated: 19 April 2024 Next Review Date: 19 April 2025 Classification: CONFIDENTIAL 1. A validated online psychological surveillance questionnaire to identify where Colleagues reacquire additional to work with DCM safely. o Offered to all "high tier" colleagues annually and colleagues who are identified as reacquiring "enhanced support" support bi-annually. o This process should then determine whether that person either needs no further intervention or if they would benefit from an assessment. o Manage the issuing of invitations, reminders, and survey results to Ofcom colleagues. o Maintain and provide records including colleagues who have completed the questionnaire and dates, high level overviews of trends and themes, individual repots identifying needs and support for colleagues.

Options: 2 options to extend the contract each by 12 months at Ofcom's sole discretion

Renewal: 2 options to extend the contract each by 12 months at Ofcom's sole discretion

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e27b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056257-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71356300 - Technical support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 May 20258 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
OFCOM
Contact Name
Mark Lundy
Contact Email
procurementnotice@ofcom.org.uk
Contact Phone
+44 2079813000

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 9HA
Post Town
South East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Delivery Location
TLI London

Local Authority
Southwark
Electoral Ward
Borough & Bankside
Westminster Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MARCH ON STRESS

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-04e27b-2025-09-12T14:59:59+01:00",
    "date": "2025-09-12T14:59:59+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04e27b",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "C20242217",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Colleague Safeguarding Support Services",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "71356300",
            "description": "Technical support services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "Ofcom has a requirement for a package of support for colleagues working with Distressing Content and Material. The current key principles of this approach are: 5. Risk Assess the Role - Directors will assess the relevant role to understand the risk presented by the work and assign a role risk tier (high or low). 6. Understand the Individual - We recognise that what could cause distress or negatively affect people varies from person to person and that individuals have different needs when it comes to managing working with DCM safely. o Where colleagues are in High Tier roles, their individual needs are assessed through an annual psychological screening and assessment with an external provider, along with any specific needs they self-identify. o For Low Tier roles, individual needs are only self-identified. 7. Provide tailored support - Support will include in-role support, expert assessment and clinical support provided by our external provider as appropriate. 8. Monitor and review - Relevant roles will be monitored to understand changes in the nature of the risk that might require roles to be reassessed. We also recognise that the needs of colleagues may change over time, and the support available will be adjusted accordingly. Enhanced support: Colleagues may be identified as requiring enhanced support for them to conduct their roles safely and will be offered biannual psychological screening. Examples of when a colleague may access enhanced support include: * Our external provider (as identified through this tender process) recommends enhanced support after a psychological screening and assessment. * The colleague identifies that they require more support to complete the work safely. * The need for more support is identified by a line manager during a safeguarding conversation or wellbeing conversation during a 1:1 * Managers may pre-emptively request Enhanced Support an individual colleague or whole team to if a role or piece of work is felt to be very high risk This should be done with the approval of a Director. * If a colleague notifies their managers that they are pregnant, that they have given birth, or their partner has given birth in the last 6 months. Ofcom requires a package of external specialist support to accompany this strategy and policy by providing psychological screening and assessment for colleagues, to identify the tailored support that they need to do their role safely, trauma therapy for those identified as requiring clinical support and training to support Line Managers to successfully deliver this policy. This process has been in effect for one year and is still being reviewed and enhanced. Over the course of the tender this pathway may evolve and develop so it is important that a service is able to support and adapt, mirroring Ofcom's approach to agility. We currently have approximately 300 colleagues in high tier roles review of how roles are risk assessed is underway and it is anticipated that enhancements will be made that may impact upon this figure. As a minimum, the service must deliver the following: Commercial Document CD098 (Version 1.1) Page 11 of 47 ITT - Open Procedure Last Updated: 19 April 2024 Next Review Date: 19 April 2025 Classification: CONFIDENTIAL 1. A validated online psychological surveillance questionnaire to identify where Colleagues reacquire additional to work with DCM safely. o Offered to all \"high tier\" colleagues annually and colleagues who are identified as reacquiring \"enhanced support\" support bi-annually. o This process should then determine whether that person either needs no further intervention or if they would benefit from an assessment. o Manage the issuing of invitations, reminders, and survey results to Ofcom colleagues. o Maintain and provide records including colleagues who have completed the questionnaire and dates, high level overviews of trends and themes, individual repots identifying needs and support for colleagues.",
        "value": {
            "amount": 360000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "Ofcom has a requirement for a package of support for colleagues working with Distressing Content and Material. The current key principles of this approach are: 5. Risk Assess the Role - Directors will assess the relevant role to understand the risk presented by the work and assign a role risk tier (high or low). 6. Understand the Individual - We recognise that what could cause distress or negatively affect people varies from person to person and that individuals have different needs when it comes to managing working with DCM safely. o Where colleagues are in High Tier roles, their individual needs are assessed through an annual psychological screening and assessment with an external provider, along with any specific needs they self-identify. o For Low Tier roles, individual needs are only self-identified. 7. Provide tailored support - Support will include in-role support, expert assessment and clinical support provided by our external provider as appropriate. 8. Monitor and review - Relevant roles will be monitored to understand changes in the nature of the risk that might require roles to be reassessed. We also recognise that the needs of colleagues may change over time, and the support available will be adjusted accordingly. Enhanced support: Colleagues may be identified as requiring enhanced support for them to conduct their roles safely and will be offered biannual psychological screening. Examples of when a colleague may access enhanced support include: * Our external provider (as identified through this tender process) recommends enhanced support after a psychological screening and assessment. * The colleague identifies that they require more support to complete the work safely. * The need for more support is identified by a line manager during a safeguarding conversation or wellbeing conversation during a 1:1 * Managers may pre-emptively request Enhanced Support an individual colleague or whole team to if a role or piece of work is felt to be very high risk This should be done with the approval of a Director. * If a colleague notifies their managers that they are pregnant, that they have given birth, or their partner has given birth in the last 6 months. Ofcom requires a package of external specialist support to accompany this strategy and policy by providing psychological screening and assessment for colleagues, to identify the tailored support that they need to do their role safely, trauma therapy for those identified as requiring clinical support and training to support Line Managers to successfully deliver this policy. This process has been in effect for one year and is still being reviewed and enhanced. Over the course of the tender this pathway may evolve and develop so it is important that a service is able to support and adapt, mirroring Ofcom's approach to agility. We currently have approximately 300 colleagues in high tier roles review of how roles are risk assessed is underway and it is anticipated that enhancements will be made that may impact upon this figure. As a minimum, the service must deliver the following: Commercial Document CD098 (Version 1.1) Page 11 of 47 ITT - Open Procedure Last Updated: 19 April 2024 Next Review Date: 19 April 2025 Classification: CONFIDENTIAL 1. A validated online psychological surveillance questionnaire to identify where Colleagues reacquire additional to work with DCM safely. o Offered to all \"high tier\" colleagues annually and colleagues who are identified as reacquiring \"enhanced support\" support bi-annually. o This process should then determine whether that person either needs no further intervention or if they would benefit from an assessment. o Manage the issuing of invitations, reminders, and survey results to Ofcom colleagues. o Maintain and provide records including colleagues who have completed the questionnaire and dates, high level overviews of trends and themes, individual repots identifying needs and support for colleagues.",
                "value": {
                    "amount": 360000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1080
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "2 options to extend the contract each by 12 months at Ofcom's sole discretion"
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "2 options to extend the contract each by 12 months at Ofcom's sole discretion"
                },
                "status": "cancelled",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "price"
                        }
                    ]
                }
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKI"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKI"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "LONDON"
                },
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission",
            "written"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "economic1",
                "documentType": "economicSelectionCriteria"
            },
            {
                "id": "technical1",
                "documentType": "technicalSelectionCriteria"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-03-19T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "durationInDays": 120
            }
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-03-19T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2025-03-19T12:00:00Z",
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk"
            }
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-6359",
            "name": "OFCOM",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "OFCOM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road",
                "locality": "London",
                "region": "UKI",
                "postalCode": "SE1 9HA",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Mark Lundy",
                "telephone": "+44 2079813000",
                "email": "procurementnotice@ofcom.org.uk",
                "url": "https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://ofcom.org.uk.",
                "buyerProfile": "https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
                        "description": "Body governed by public law"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "UK Communications Regulator"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-138138",
            "name": "High Court of Justice of England and Wales",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "High Court of Justice of England and Wales"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "The Strand",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "WC1 2LL",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 2079476000"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.bing.com/search?q=www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk&form=IPRV10"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-160735",
            "name": "March on Stress Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "March on Stress Ltd"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Murrills House 48 East Street,",
                "locality": "Fareham",
                "region": "UKJ31",
                "postalCode": "PO16 9XS",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-6359",
        "name": "OFCOM"
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "056257-2025-ECM_1465-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "title": "Colleague Safeguarding Support Services",
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-160735",
                    "name": "March on Stress Ltd"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "056257-2025-ECM_1465-1",
            "awardID": "056257-2025-ECM_1465-1",
            "title": "Colleague Safeguarding Support Services",
            "status": "active",
            "dateSigned": "2025-06-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "5",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 3
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "lowestValidBidValue",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 379640,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "highestValidBidValue",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 604000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "lowestValidBidValue",
                "value": 379640,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "highestValidBidValue",
                "value": 724800,
                "currency": "GBP"
            }
        ]
    }
}