Award

Refugee Welcome Programme -Work & Skills: Employment Support

GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

04 Mar 2026 at 13:26

Award

29 Jan 2026 at 13:00

Tender

24 Oct 2025 at 15:33

Summary of the contracting process

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has completed the procurement process for a contract titled "Refugee Welcome Programme - Work & Skills: Employment Support". This open procedure aimed to acquire personalised employment support services for refugees and asylum seekers with the right to work in Greater Manchester. The contract, effective from 27th February 2026 to 26th February 2028, was awarded to BREAKING BARRIERS, a large-scale organisation based in London. The industry category encompasses community, social, and personal services, with a focus on integration and employability. Key activities under the contract include individual employment support, employer engagement, and partnership work with local authorities. The procurement process involved initial tenders, bids, and award stages, illustrating a comprehensive approach to support the region's diverse workforce needs.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in employment support services and those experienced in addressing the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. Companies with expertise in employer engagement, developing toolkits, and working collaboratively with local authorities would find this contract particularly beneficial. Additionally, businesses capable of monitoring, evaluating, and reporting against KPIs stand to gain from this initiative. Firms with a strong understanding of cultural competency and asylum literacy can leverage this project to establish or expand their presence in Greater Manchester, supporting a vision of social inclusion and economic growth for marginalised groups. The procurement process was crafted to ensure fairness, allowing multiple bids in the initial stage, thus encouraging competition and innovation among potential service providers.

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

Notice Title

Refugee Welcome Programme -Work & Skills: Employment Support

Notice Description

The GMCA is looking to procure a personalised employment support for refugees and people seeking asylum with the right to work in Greater Manchester, addressing gaps in local provision and supporting integration, employability, and wellbeing. This builds on the Refugee Welcome Programme (RWP) and learning from the Refugee Transitions Outcomes Fund. The scope of the contract includes. * 1:1 employment support and guidance for eligible participants. * Employer engagement and toolkit development. * Partnership working with local authorities and VCFSEs. * Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against KPIs.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d3b0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019457-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£196,453 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£196,453 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
25 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Jan 20262 months ago
Contract Period
27 Feb 2026 - 26 Feb 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 6EU
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BREAKING BARRIERS

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-05d3b0-2026-03-04T13:26:42Z",
    "date": "2026-03-04T13:26:42Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05d3b0",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PXBN-3793-LCTQ",
            "name": "Greater Manchester Combined Authority",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PXBN-3793-LCTQ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "56 Oxford Street",
                "locality": "Manchester",
                "postalCode": "M1 6EU",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD33"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@manchesterfire.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-CE003404",
            "name": "BREAKING BARRIERS",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "CE003404"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PWMC-2463-GRYP"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "WeWork, 71-91 Aldwych, London",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "WC2B 4HN",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI32"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "c.hill@breaking-barriers.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.breaking-barriers.co.uk",
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PWMC-2463-GRYP",
            "name": "BREAKING BARRIERS",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PWMC-2463-GRYP"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "WeWork 71-91 Aldwych",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "WC2B 4HN",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI32"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "c.hill@breaking-barriers.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PXBN-3793-LCTQ",
        "name": "Greater Manchester Combined Authority"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "GMCA 1612",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Refugee Welcome Programme -Work & Skills: Employment Support",
        "description": "The GMCA is looking to procure a personalised employment support for refugees and people seeking asylum with the right to work in Greater Manchester, addressing gaps in local provision and supporting integration, employability, and wellbeing. This builds on the Refugee Welcome Programme (RWP) and learning from the Refugee Transitions Outcomes Fund. The scope of the contract includes. * 1:1 employment support and guidance for eligible participants. * Employer engagement and toolkit development. * Partnership working with local authorities and VCFSEs. * Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against KPIs.",
        "status": "complete",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "98000000",
                        "description": "Other community, social and personal services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 240000,
            "amount": 200000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.the-chest.org.uk/",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-11-25T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-11-14T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-05T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 240000,
                    "amount": 200000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical Questions",
                            "description": "Project Delivery and Management 30% Mobilisation 10% Staffing 10% Cultural Competency and asylum Literacy 10% Partnerships 10% Monitoring and KPIs 10%",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 80,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social value",
                            "description": "Social Value",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price submisison",
                            "description": "Price Submission",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-01-12T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2027-12-11T23:59:59Z"
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-1",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "All Tender documents can be found under DN794338 on the chest",
                "url": "https://www.the-chest.org.uk/"
            },
            {
                "id": "068331-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068331-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-10-24T16:33:24+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "value": 11,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "finalStageBids",
                "value": 9,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "smeFinalStageBids",
                "value": 9,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "vcseFinalStageBids",
                "value": 0,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "title": "Refugee Welcome Programme - Work & Skills: Employment Support",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2026-01-26T00:00:00Z",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 235743,
                "amount": 196453,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-CE003404",
                    "name": "BREAKING BARRIERS"
                },
                {
                    "id": "GB-PPON-PWMC-2463-GRYP",
                    "name": "BREAKING BARRIERS"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "98000000",
                            "description": "Other community, social and personal services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "standstillPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2026-02-09T23:59:59+00:00"
            },
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-02-16T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2028-02-15T23:59:59Z"
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "008029-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008029-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-01-29T13:00:35Z",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "assessmentSummariesDateSent": "2026-01-29T00:00:00Z",
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2026-02-11T23:59:59Z",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "awardID": "1",
            "title": "Refugee Welcome Programme -Work & Skills: Employment Support",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2026-02-27T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2028-02-26T23:59:59Z"
            },
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 235743,
                "amount": 196453,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "dateSigned": "2026-02-26T00:00:00Z",
            "noAgreedMetricsRationale": "Below the PS5 million threshold",
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "019457-2026",
                    "documentType": "contractNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK7",
                    "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019457-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-03-04T13:26:42Z",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}