Tender

001706 Employee Assistance Programme (Telephone)

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

30 Apr 2025 at 12:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

15 Apr 2025 at 12:59

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council is inviting tenders for the provision of a telephone-based Employee Assistance Programme, a service active since 2006. The programme includes 24/7 advisory and counselling services available to employees of Durham County Council, as well as contracted public sector organisations such as town councils and schools. This tender is at the "tenderUpdate" stage, with the deadline for submissions by 16th May 2025. The Council seeks a single specialist provider for this below-threshold, open competition procurement in the services category, for a contract starting on 1st August 2025. The procurement is supported by a budget that has been revised to £28,000 annually, accommodating services such as a Critical Incident Stress/Trauma Response Service, although this particular service has yet to be utilised. Prospective suppliers had until 30th April 2025 to submit enquiries, with the clarification period now extended to 7th May 2025.

This tender represents a lucrative opportunity for businesses specialising in guidance and counselling services, particularly those adept at providing confidential telephone support and online advice. The scope for renewal with two potential 12-month extensions enhances its attractiveness to small and medium-sized enterprises. Primarily, businesses with expertise in managing continuous, confidential support services and experience in public sector collaborations will find this contract well-suited to their capabilities. The tender process prioritises technical proficiency, emphasising an 80% technical to 20% price weighting in the award criteria, favouring suppliers with robust service delivery models and proven efficacy in their field.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

001706 Employee Assistance Programme (Telephone)

Notice Description

This Invitation to Bid is for the provision of a telephone based Employee Assistance Programme with includes a 24 hour, 365 days per year telephone advisory and counselling service for all Durham County Council employees, academy schools/colleges and other public sector organisations including town councils contracted to Durham County Council Occupational Health Services (including support for managers), elected members and care leavers in respect of any personal or emotional matter whether work or non-work related as specified in this and related documents. Similar services have been available since 2006. Additionally, the Council is also seeking a Critical Incident stress/trauma Response Service on an 'as needed basis' which has also been in place since 2006, although to date this has not been utilised. Durham County Council are looking for a single specialist provider who can deliver this service. The following key elements are required of the telephone-based Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential Telephone support, advice and counselling Online employee and manager advice Launch of Service Critical Incident Stress Response Service

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 2 x 12 months extensions are available subject to performance, funding and commissioner approval.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05033b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018006-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

85312310 - Guidance services

85312320 - Counselling services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£112,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£112,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Apr 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
16 May 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement.decisions@durham.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
Post Town
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC14 Durham
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate and Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

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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