Planning

Connect to Work

TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

07 Oct 2025 at 13:13

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

09 Apr 2025 at 16:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Tees Valley Combined Authority is in the planning stage for the "Connect to Work" programme, which focuses on providing employment support to economically inactive individuals, the unemployed, and those at risk of job loss due to health conditions. This initiative falls under the services category, specifically targeting general public services, government support services, job search, and miscellaneous health services. The project is set to commence in Autumn 2025, continuing through to March 2030, and covers areas in the UK regions UKC11, UKC12, and UKC13. A pre-market engagement event is scheduled for 15th April 2025 at Teesside Airport Business Suite, Darlington, with a questionnaire deadline for suppliers on 9th May 2025, to refine the procurement process. The programme will be led by Hartlepool Borough Council, in partnership with other Tees Valley Local Authorities, following Cabinet approval in September 2025 for a mixed delivery model.

This procurement process offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in public service delivery, employment support, and health-related services to engage as delivery partners. Companies with expertise in job search services, support for government operations, and health service provisions would be well-suited for participation. The planned engagement and comprehensive programme span multiple years, enabling sustained business growth. Interested suppliers are encouraged to participate in market engagement activities to better understand evolving requirements and position themselves as potential collaborators for the successful delivery of the programme across the Tees Valley region.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Connect to Work

Notice Description

Connect to Work is a voluntary employment program launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It aims to help individuals who are economically inactive, unemployed, or at risk of losing their jobs due to disabilities or long-term health conditions. The program provides targeted support to eligible participants, assisting them in finding and maintaining employment. Tees Valley Combined Authority is the Accountable Body (AB) for Connect to Work and will host a pre-market engagement event with key partners, stakeholders and interested parties prior to official procurement activities to support shaping our approach to commissioning the program. Update: TVCA Cabinet 26th September 2025 approved a mixed model of delivery for the Tees Valley Connect to Work programme. This Model will see the programme led by Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with the Tees Valley Local Authorities. Hartlepool Borough Council will undertake further market engagement late Autumn that will engage further delivery partners to deliver specialist services across the region.

Planning Information

The pre market engagement face-to-face event will take place on Tuesday 15th April 2025 09:30 - 12:30 at Tees Valley Combined Authority, Teesside Airport Business Suite, Teesside International Airport, Darlington, DL2 1NJ and outline Connect to Work, the role of the TVCA as the Accountable Body, provide an overview of our evidence base and outline our approach to the development of our Delivery Plan. The event aims to shape our approach to commissioning by gaining an understanding of the current market. The program will commence Autumn 2025 and running through to March 2030. Suppliers wishing to attend the event are required to register via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tees-valley-work-and-health-programmes-pre-market-engagement-session-tickets-1318784533039 Following this event we will engage with potential suppliers and issue a questionnaire to gauge the current market and seek their feedback on approaches to delivery. Suppliers will have until 5pm on 9th May 2025 to complete the questionnaire. Update: TVCA Cabinet 26th September 2025 approved a mixed model of delivery for the Tees Valley Connect to Work programme. This Model will see the programme led by Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with the Tees Valley Local Authorities. Hartlepool Borough Council will undertake further market engagement late Autumn that will engage further delivery partners to deliver specialist services across the region.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050019
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062896-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

75110000 - General public services

75130000 - Supporting services for the government

79611000 - Job search services

85140000 - Miscellaneous health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DARLINGTON
Postcode
DL2 1NJ
Post Town
Darlington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC33 Darlington
Delivery Location
TLC11 Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees, TLC12 South Teesside, TLC13 Darlington
Local Authority
Darlington
Electoral Ward
Sadberge & Middleton St George
Westminster Constituency
Stockton West

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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. 

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