Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement: Youth Treatment - Community Based Service for Children and Young People who are identified as having Substance Use issues, and their Families.

PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 Aug 2025 at 16:42

Summary of the contracting process

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is undertaking a Preliminary Market Engagement process for a potential tender titled "Youth Treatment - Community Based Service for Children and Young People who are identified as having Substance Use issues, and their Families". This initiative focuses on delivering health and social work services, specifically guidance and counselling services, to support vulnerable youth and their families in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Currently, in the planning stage, the procurement aims to gather market feedback to shape the tender documents and procurement strategy. Interested parties are required to submit their engagement questionnaires via eTendersNI by 12th September 2025. The engagement is being facilitated by the Business Services Organisation (BSO) on behalf of the PHA, following Northern Irish devolved regulations.

This engagement presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in community-based health services, particularly those specialising in youth substance abuse counselling. The procurement is classified as a Light Touch Service, which might appeal to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, given their flexibility and expertise in providing tailored community services. Participation in this preliminary stage allows businesses to inform the procurement outline, potentially shaping a service that aligns with their operational strengths and sustainability practices. Furthermore, it offers companies a chance to contribute to addressing critical societal issues, enhancing their corporate social responsibility profile whilst exploring new avenues for growth.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement: Youth Treatment - Community Based Service for Children and Young People who are identified as having Substance Use issues, and their Families.

Notice Description

****Preliminary Market Engagement Exercise**** The Business Services Organisation (BSO), Procurement and Logistic Service (PaLS), on behalf of the Public Health Agency (PHA), is conducting this Preliminary Market Engagement exercise to engage with suppliers who are interested in delivering this service. The Public Health Agency (PHA) plans to conduct a covered procurement for a Youth Treatment - Community Based Service for Children and Young People who are identified as having Substance Use issues, and their Families. This service is a Step 2 community-based service, supporting children and young people aged 11-17 years who are identified as having substance use issues. In some cases, the Service will see young people aged between 18 and 21 years who are eligible where they have been identified as vulnerable or have difficulty integrating into the adult treatment system, for example, a history of disengagement and vulnerability. The Service may also include community-based structured family support, should it be required, to family members / carers who have direct caring responsibilities for the child/young person with substance use issues, as well as siblings. The PHA invites interested suppliers to participate in this engagement by reading the Preliminary Market Engagement Paper (CP13) and completing and submitting a Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire (CP12) via eTendersNI Resource ID/CfT number 6013686 by the engagement deadline - Friday 12th September at 15.00. The purpose of this preliminary market engagement is to develop the PHA's requirements and approach to the procurement; to prepare the tender notice and associated tender documents; to identify suppliers that may be able to supply the service required; and to build capacity among suppliers in relation to the contract that may be awarded. The intended outcome of this preliminary market engagement is to raise awareness in the market of this upcoming covered procurement, gauge the level of market interest in the provision of such services; engage and receive feedback from the market by outlining the PHA's proposals for the delivery of this service, its procurement plans and requirements, in advance of any formal tender process. In addition, the PHA wishes to gain a better understanding within the market of the feasibility of the service requirements, the risks and potential issues relating to the service, the applicable social value initiatives; current market practices in respect of Sustainability and Net Zero; and cybersecurity. The information gathered as part of this engagement will be used by the PHA to clarify and develop its requirements, assess the market's capacity and develop its procurement strategy. Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this market engagement and PaLS/PHA shall not be liable for any costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising from this engagement exercise. Note - Any interest shown in the preliminary market engagement does not constitute a commitment to participate in a procurement exercise. Non-participation in this preliminary market engagement process does not preclude any supplier from participating in the covered procurement tendering process. This covered procurement is governed by the Procurement Act 2023. The service being tendered is classified as a Light Touch Service. There is no guarantee that a procurement exercise will be initiated in respect of this service.

Planning Information

To participate in this market engagement please read the Preliminary Market Engagement Paper (CP13) and complete and submit the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire (CP12) via eTendersNI by the engagement deadline/submission deadline - Friday 12th September 2025 at 15.00. The Paper (CP12) and the Questionnaire (CP13) are both available via eTendersNI under Resource ID/CfT number 6013686. Please ensure you are registered with eTendersNI. Please note that the Contract dates in this Notice are estimated and subject to change. Please note that estimated date of publication of Tender notice in this Notice is an anticipated date and subject to change.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058d43
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051044-2025
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

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

85312320 - Counselling services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY
Additional Buyers

BUSINESS SERVICES ORGANISATION

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

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT2 8BS
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
Not specified

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

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058d43-2025-08-22T17:42:22+01:00",
    "date": "2025-08-22T17:42:22+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058d43",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PGGH-1787-BZLL",
            "name": "Public Health Agency",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PGGH-1787-BZLL"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Linenhall Street Unit, 12-22 Linenhall Street",
                "locality": "Belfast",
                "postalCode": "BT2 8BS",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKN06"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "PaLSSocialcare.Sourcing@hscni.net"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.publichealth.hscni.net",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_DEVOLVED_REGULATIONS",
                        "id": "GB-NIR",
                        "description": "Northern Irish devolved regulations apply"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PWNJ-1991-NGDW",
            "name": "Business Services Organisation",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PWNJ-1991-NGDW"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Pinewood Villa, Longstone Hospital, 73 Loughgall Road",
                "locality": "Armagh",
                "postalCode": "BT61 7PR",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKN07"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "PaLSSocialcare.Sourcing@hscni.net"
            },
            "roles": [
                "procuringEntity",
                "processContactPoint"
            ],
            "roleDetails": "The Business Services Organisation (BSO), Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS) will be conducting the procurement process including this Preliminary Market Engagement process on behalf of the PHA. PaLS are the Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland"
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PGGH-1787-BZLL",
        "name": "Public Health Agency"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "To participate in this market engagement please read the Preliminary Market Engagement Paper (CP13) and complete and submit the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire (CP12) via eTendersNI by the engagement deadline/submission deadline - Friday 12th September 2025 at 15.00. The Paper (CP12) and the Questionnaire (CP13) are both available via eTendersNI under Resource ID/CfT number 6013686. Please ensure you are registered with eTendersNI. Please note that the Contract dates in this Notice are estimated and subject to change. Please note that estimated date of publication of Tender notice in this Notice is an anticipated date and subject to change.",
                "dueDate": "2025-09-12T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "051044-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051044-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-22T17:42:22+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058d43",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Preliminary Market Engagement: Youth Treatment - Community Based Service for Children and Young People who are identified as having Substance Use issues, and their Families.",
        "description": "****Preliminary Market Engagement Exercise**** The Business Services Organisation (BSO), Procurement and Logistic Service (PaLS), on behalf of the Public Health Agency (PHA), is conducting this Preliminary Market Engagement exercise to engage with suppliers who are interested in delivering this service. The Public Health Agency (PHA) plans to conduct a covered procurement for a Youth Treatment - Community Based Service for Children and Young People who are identified as having Substance Use issues, and their Families. This service is a Step 2 community-based service, supporting children and young people aged 11-17 years who are identified as having substance use issues. In some cases, the Service will see young people aged between 18 and 21 years who are eligible where they have been identified as vulnerable or have difficulty integrating into the adult treatment system, for example, a history of disengagement and vulnerability. The Service may also include community-based structured family support, should it be required, to family members / carers who have direct caring responsibilities for the child/young person with substance use issues, as well as siblings. The PHA invites interested suppliers to participate in this engagement by reading the Preliminary Market Engagement Paper (CP13) and completing and submitting a Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire (CP12) via eTendersNI Resource ID/CfT number 6013686 by the engagement deadline - Friday 12th September at 15.00. The purpose of this preliminary market engagement is to develop the PHA's requirements and approach to the procurement; to prepare the tender notice and associated tender documents; to identify suppliers that may be able to supply the service required; and to build capacity among suppliers in relation to the contract that may be awarded. The intended outcome of this preliminary market engagement is to raise awareness in the market of this upcoming covered procurement, gauge the level of market interest in the provision of such services; engage and receive feedback from the market by outlining the PHA's proposals for the delivery of this service, its procurement plans and requirements, in advance of any formal tender process. In addition, the PHA wishes to gain a better understanding within the market of the feasibility of the service requirements, the risks and potential issues relating to the service, the applicable social value initiatives; current market practices in respect of Sustainability and Net Zero; and cybersecurity. The information gathered as part of this engagement will be used by the PHA to clarify and develop its requirements, assess the market's capacity and develop its procurement strategy. Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this market engagement and PaLS/PHA shall not be liable for any costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising from this engagement exercise. Note - Any interest shown in the preliminary market engagement does not constitute a commitment to participate in a procurement exercise. Non-participation in this preliminary market engagement process does not preclude any supplier from participating in the covered procurement tendering process. This covered procurement is governed by the Procurement Act 2023. The service being tendered is classified as a Light Touch Service. There is no guarantee that a procurement exercise will be initiated in respect of this service.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85000000",
                        "description": "Health and social work services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85312300",
                        "description": "Guidance and counselling services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85312320",
                        "description": "Counselling services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
            "lightTouch"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": false,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-01-01T00:00:00+00:00",
                    "endDate": "2028-12-31T23:59:59+00:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2032-12-31T23:59:59+00:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-10-13T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}