Planning

Independent Advocacy Service for Adults in Herefordshire - Market Engagement RFI

HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

03 Oct 2025 at 09:27

Summary of the contracting process

Herefordshire Council is in the planning stage of a public procurement process to establish an 'Independent Advocacy Service for Adults' across Herefordshire. The procurement process is currently in the market engagement phase, with a milestone date for responses by 17 October 2025. The procurement is categorised under services, specifically health and social work, and other community-related services, with the official process set to begin on 1 August 2026. The council's contact is Ms Aksana Hironak, available via commercialservices@herefordshire.gov.uk. The procurement method emphasises a light-touch regime, tailored to suit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs).

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in advocacy and public services to expand their operations in Herefordshire. Given the service's need for skilled advocates with specialist training, firms with a background in statutory advocacy services will find it particularly advantageous. The requirement for in-person service provision across Herefordshire highlights the need for local office bases and experienced staff, making it suitable for businesses with existing infrastructure or those aiming to establish a presence in the region. The long-term contract, with a potential extension of up to two additional years, offers a stable opportunity for growth and sustained engagement with the public sector.

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Notice Title

Independent Advocacy Service for Adults 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 providing Independent Advocacy Service for Adults in Herefordshire. The new contract is proposed to commence on 1 August 2026, with a minimum term of five years, with an option to extend the contract for up to an additional two years. The Provider would be contracted to provide Statutory Advocacy Services for Adults. This requires the provision of skilled advocates, with specialist knowledge and training. The advocacy service is currently delivered across the whole of Herefordshire, and this level of coverage will continue under the new contract. In most cases, an in-person service will be required, so provider must ensure the availability of suitably trained and experienced staff, as well as locally based office accommodation.

Planning Information

Herefordshire Council has published this market engagement notice on the 'Supplying the Southwest Portal', project reference DN792914. 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. Closing date for responses: 17 October 2025 at 12:00 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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a794
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062017-2025
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

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

85 - Health and social work services

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

75110000 - General public services

85000000 - Health and social work 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
3 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
23 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2031 Over 5 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
HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
Contact Name
Ms Aksana Hironak
Contact Email
commercialservices@herefordshire.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)
TLG1 Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG11 Herefordshire, County of
Delivery Location
TLG11 Herefordshire, County of

Local Authority
Herefordshire, County of
Electoral Ward
Widemarsh
Westminster Constituency
Hereford and South Herefordshire

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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