Planning

Provision of the Connect to Work Programme In Herefordshire - - Market Engagement RFI

HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Jul 2025 at 15:24

Summary of the contracting process

Herefordshire Council, in collaboration with Shropshire Council, has initiated a public procurement process under the planning stage for the "Provision of the Connect to Work Programme in Herefordshire - Market Engagement RFI". This procurement falls under the services category and is primarily focused on job search, career guidance, education and training, and social services, aiming to support disabled and economically inactive individuals. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with the deadline for responses set for 6th August 2025. The programme will be executed in the region of Herefordshire (UKG11) and is anticipated to support up to 599 residents over five years, starting from January 2026.

This contract presents substantial opportunities for organisations with expertise in employment support services, particularly those adept in delivering programmes for economically inactive adults and individuals with complex needs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, with the procurement method offering two distinct lots: Individual Placement and Support and Local Supported Employment Services. Interested businesses stand to gain by partnering with Herefordshire Council to meet annual targets set for supporting individuals into employment, promising potential growth through governmental projects and ongoing collaboration.

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Notice Title

Provision of the Connect to Work Programme In Herefordshire - - Market Engagement RFI

Notice Description

Herefordshire Council is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) for the purpose of establishing whether there are any organisations that are interested in delivering the Connect to Work programme in Herefordshire. Connect to Work is a new employment programme, funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). The programme will primarily support people who are disabled and economically inactive. It will focus on vocational profiling, early engagement with employers and supporting people into work quickly. Ongoing support is then provided to the participant and their employer to help sustain them in work. The programme also involves flexibility to support adults at risk of unemployment due to complex needs to be supported to sustain and improve their employment. Herefordshire Council will be working in partnership with Shropshire Council (who is the Accountable Body for the Marches geographic area responsible for Connect to Work) on the commissioning, implementation and management of this exciting programme which will support up to 599 residents in Herefordshire over the expected 5-year programme (subject to government spending reviews). There will be 2 Lots: Lot 1 - Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Lot 2 - Local Supported Employment Services (SEQF) Our ambition is to deliver this programme in partnership with one high-quality provider for each Lot who can meet set annual targets for supporting economically inactive adults across Herefordshire into work delivering the IPS and SEQF elements of the programme. We anticipate contracts will be awarded and commence from December 2025 with service commencement (referrals and starts on programme) from January 2026. For this RFI, we are keen hear from providers who have previously or are currently delivering supported employment programmes and those interested in supporting the delivery of Connect to Work. Closing date for responses: Wednesday 06 August 2025 at 12:00

Planning Information

Herefordshire Council has published this Request for Information on the 'Supplying the Southwest Portal', project reference DN783822. To view the documentation related to this opportunity you will need to register on the portal if you are not already registered with Procontract and express an interest in the opportunity. To register with Procontract on the Supplying the Southwest Portal, click on the link below or copy and paste the link into your browser's address bar: https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk Closing date for responses: Wednesday 06 August 2025 at 12:00

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0564db
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042497-2025
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
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

79611000 - Job search services

79634000 - Career guidance services

80000000 - Education and training services

85300000 - Social work and related services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
Additional Buyers

SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercialservices@herefordshire.gov.uk, procurement@shropshire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
HEREFORD
Postcode
HR4 0LE
Post Town
Hereford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG22 Shropshire
Delivery Location
TLG11 Herefordshire, County of

Local Authority
Shropshire
Electoral Ward
Porthill
Westminster Constituency
Shrewsbury

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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