Award

Closing the Gap 2 Visual Impairment Support Service

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

07 Aug 2025 at 11:25

Tender

24 Apr 2025 at 08:49

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process commissioned by Reading Borough Council, a sub-central government public authority based in Reading, United Kingdom, involved the tender titled "Closing the Gap 2 Visual Impairment Support Service." This initiative focused on delivering community-centric, preventative support to individuals with sight loss, aiming for improved well-being and social interaction. The procurement went through an open competition method under the "light touch" regime and has reached the award stage as of 7th August 2025. The awarded contract, valued at £320,000, was granted on 28th July 2025, and will span from 1st November 2025 to 31st October 2028, with potential for a 2-year extension. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically related to social and other community services, with an expression of interest deadline that was on 27th May 2025 and a tender submission deadline of 3rd June 2025.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in providing tailored care or support services, particularly those with experience in handling visual impairment or social work. The awarded supplier, the Berkshire County Blind Society, exemplifies the kind of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can successfully compete in such procurements, offering person-centred services. Given the contract's focus on social value and quality, enterprises that prioritise improving health outcomes and reducing social isolation are well-positioned to benefit from similar future opportunities. Engaging in this market not only aligns with community service objectives but also expands business portfolios to include long-term, socially impactful projects.

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Notice Title

Closing the Gap 2 Visual Impairment Support Service

Notice Description

RBC are completing a ITT exercise for the provision of Closing the Gap 2 Visual Impairment Support Service - Offer person centred, tailored support to adults who live with sight loss, with a focus on information and advice and increased social interaction, improved wellbeing and reduced social isolation and loneliness. Full details of the requirement can be found in the Specification in Annexe 1. Services under the Closing the Gap programme are commissioned in line with RBC's Council Strategy, Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Poverty Needs Analysis and the Berkshire Joint Strategic Needs Analysis, and focus on community-based, preventative work. These services are commissioned to reduce differences around healthy life expectancy, reduce health inequalities and contribute to long-term change. Suppliers that would like to take part in this process are invited to "Express Interest" upon which they will be given access to the full documentation delivered through this portal. Documents can be accessed from the "My Tenders" area of this website by selecting the "View Details" button for the project. Expressions of interest will only be accepted until 27/05/2025. Any questions relating to this opportunity should be made via the correspondence link on this portal.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0506b1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046874-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£256,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£256,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£256,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Jul 20257 months ago
Contract Period
1 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
READING BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
pchub@reading.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
READING
Postcode
RG1 2LU
Post Town
Reading
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Reading
Electoral Ward
Abbey
Westminster Constituency
Reading Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BERKSHIRE COUNTY BLIND SOCIETY

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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