Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement 2026 - Provision of Specialist Learning Disability Vocational Training Services through Social Enterprise within the NHSCT [6393091]

NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST (NHSCT)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

17 Feb 2026 at 16:00

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 Aug 2025 at 12:17

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), identified as a public authority under sub-central government, is spearheading the procurement process for specialist learning disability vocational training services through social enterprise within Northern Ireland. The preliminary market engagement is managed by the Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS), noting its Centre of Procurement Expertise role, in collaboration with the Business Services Organisation. This initiative is positioned within the 'Health and social work services' industry category, with service delivery set to commence on 1st September 2026 for a duration of three years, extendable up to a maximum of 31st August 2031. Upcoming deadlines include the submission of cost breakdowns through eTendersNI by 6th March 2026, 15:00.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly SMEs and VCSEs, seeking to expand within the health and social care services sector, given the suitability criteria outlined. Businesses with expertise in social enterprise facilities, tailored towards adults with learning disabilities in the NHSCT, are encouraged to participate. This procurement exercise recognises the importance of social value, adhering to recent Northern Ireland Procurement Policy Notes, and is backed by the latest UK Procurement Act, offering an excellent platform for suppliers aligned with such frameworks. Engaging in this tender will enable businesses to access a stable contract with renewal options, fostering sustainable growth within an essential community service context.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement 2026 - Provision of Specialist Learning Disability Vocational Training Services through Social Enterprise within the NHSCT [6393091]

Notice Description

The Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS) on behalf of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust (NHSCT) wish to carry out a preliminary market engagement with interested providers. This market engagement is intended to inform the market that the NHSCT are proposing to tender for the provision of Learning Disability Vocational Training Services through Social Enterprise facilities to Adults with a Learning Disability within the NHSCT (Adults being 18+ years of age). The NHSCT have published this second preliminary market engagement (CfT Reference no: 6393091) for this tender to inform the market of this advanced draft of the specification and we are also inviting potential tenderers to consider the cost for this service based on the stated available budgets outlined in Section 3.17 of the CP13 Vocational Services - 2026 Market Engagement Briefing Paper. Therefore, as part of this engagement we are asking potential providers to complete and return 'Appendix C - Breakdown of Costs' with a proposed cost breakdown for how they would deliver this service based on the available budget. We are seeking this cost breakdown for information purposes while allowing potential suppliers to assess the affordability of the service before we publish the tender. Please note that the annual cost of this service must be inclusive of all costs associated with this service. Please refer to the 'CP13 Vocational Services - 2026 Market Engagement Briefing Paper' and associated appendices for further information - all documents associated with this market engagement are available in CfT document section under CfT Reference No: 6393091

Planning Information

Please ensure you are registered with eTendersNI under Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) Code '85000000 Health and social work services'. Your proposed cost breakdown for delivery of this service in response to this Pre-Tender Market Engagement Paper must be completed in 'Appendix C – Breakdown of Costs’ and submitted as an attachment via the eTendersNI secure messaging area of the Resource ID/CfT Number: 6393091. The deadline for submission is Friday 6th March 2026 at 15:00. Any interest shown in the pre-tender market engagement does not constitute a commitment to participate in a procurement exercise. Failure to show interest does not restrict providers from participating in any future procurement exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0588ea
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014476-2026
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Feb 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Mar 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 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
NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST (NHSCT)
Additional Buyers

BUSINESS SERVICES ORGANISATION

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
palssocialcare.sourcing@hscni.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
ANTRIM
Postcode
BT41 2RL
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN07 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Electoral Ward
Cathedral
Westminster Constituency
Newry and Armagh

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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