Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for the re-procurement of Community Based Services for people with a learning disability, mental health needs, and/or autism

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

04 Feb 2026 at 09:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

02 Oct 2025 at 12:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the re-procurement of Community Based Services aimed at supporting individuals with learning disabilities, mental health needs, and/or autism. This includes primarily supported living services. The procurement process is being conducted under a framework agreement and falls under the 'light touch' regime, classified as social services (CPV code 85320000). Interested parties are invited to engage in the preliminary market engagement phase, with a deadline previously noted as 17th October 2025, which is essential for shaping any future procurement activities. The services are to be delivered within the UKC14 region, starting from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029.

This tender presents significant opportunities for various businesses, particularly SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises, by allowing them to contribute expertise and services in the social care sector. Engaging in this preliminary market engagement will enable businesses to influence the framing of the tender, making the process competitive and inclusive of diverse providers. Companies focusing on community-based, supported living services, and those experienced in working with housing and care providers will find this opportunity aligns well with their services and growth ambitions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for the re-procurement of Community Based Services for people with a learning disability, mental health needs, and/or autism

Notice Description

The Council are inviting providers to participate in preliminary engagement to gain insight from the market with the purpose of making any potential future exercise, well framed, feasible, focused and of likely interest to the market. This preliminary market engagement purpose is to seek potential providers to join our framework of organisations and to provide their views regarding Community Based Services for people with a learning disability, mental health needs, and/or autism which is primarily supported living services. Supported Living services are community provisions where individuals have a tenancy with a housing provider and the Council commissions a care and support provider to meet the needs of the individuals living there.

Planning Information

Market engagement questionnaire for completion and return by Providers which can be accessed at www.open-uk.org under the title Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for the re-procurement of Community Based Services for people with a learning disability, mental health needs, and/or autism. In addition , two support sessions, on Teams, in early November designed to remove barriers for SMEs, support users in the use of OPEN, CDP and the inclusion of social value in DCC procurements. Further detail can be found within the PME documents published on the OPEN portal.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a6d1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009782-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

85320000 - Social services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Feb 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
17 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 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
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
corporate.procurement@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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