This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

23 Sep 2026 at 10:33

Tender

19 Dec 2025 at 10:05

Planning

27 Oct 2025 at 19:05

Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council commissioned care home services for older people across Kent. The requirement covers residential care, nursing care and bariatric care for people needing support because of age, disability or health conditions. Services include accommodation, day-to-day assistance, meaningful activities and, where needed, nursing support for complex medical needs. Care homes are expected to provide a safe, comfortable home environment that protects residents’ dignity and quality of life, with support tailored to individual needs. The procurement is divided into three service categories: residential, nursing and bariatric care. The successful providers deliver these services from care homes within Kent’s geographical boundary, for the Council and relevant successor or NHS bodies responsible for adult social care in the area.

The procurement is complete and suppliers have been selected for all three lots under an open framework. Awards were made on 22 September 2026 to multiple providers: residential care, £1,485,813,182; nursing care, £722,108,540; and bariatric care, £9,129,938. Each framework contract is due to run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030, with an option to extend by up to four years, to 31 December 2034. The open procedure assessed providers on appropriate Care Quality Commission registration and their ability to meet the service specification. Bariatric providers also had to demonstrate suitable facilities through a Council site visit, and could only be awarded that lot alongside a residential or nursing award. The Council may make successive framework awards on substantially the same terms.

This award shows sustained demand from Kent County Council for registered care homes able to deliver residential, nursing and specialist bariatric support, including care at standard and high levels. Providers need Care Quality Commission registration and must demonstrate that each home they operate can meet the specification; a provider’s registration and service capability are assessed for both the organisation and its individual homes. Nursing suppliers need the resources and clinical capability to support people with complex medical needs. Residential and nursing applicants must be able to provide both standard and high levels of care within each home they put forward. Bariatric care requires appropriate essential equipment and facilities, verified by a site visit, and is only available as an additional service for providers also delivering residential or nursing care. Small and medium-sized enterprises were considered suitable for each lot.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Older Persons Residential and Nursing Care Services

Notice Description

Kent County Council (the Council) is seeking providers (referred to in this notice as Tenderers) of Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered residential and nursing care homes within the geographic boundary of Kent, to provide facilities, accommodation and care for individuals who require support due to age, disability, or health conditions, to join a new Older Persons Residential and Nursing (OPRN) Care Homes Services Open Framework. An open framework allows for the award of successive frameworks on substantially the same terms. This notice relates to the opportunity to apply to be admitted to the First Framework of the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme. Care homes should promote safety, dignity, and quality of life, while ensuring that People who draw on care and support receive tailored support to meet their individual needs. The Service Specification has been designed to incorporate the provision of accommodation, care, support, and meaningful activities for individuals, residing in a Care Home setting as their own home, either temporarily or long-term. The Service should enhance an Individual's quality of life by offering a safe, manageable, and comfortable living environment, and a range of care and support, from assistance with daily living tasks to comprehensive nursing care for those with complex medical needs. The Services under the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme and Framework Agreement are 'light touch' and are governed by the rules relating to light touch contracts under the Procurement Act 2023. The Council intends, but is in no way obliged to, re-open the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme on the first anniversary, the third anniversary and the fifth anniversary, where the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme continues for the full term of 8 years. The estimated values set out in this Tender Notice are on the basis that the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme continues for 8 years, on the basis of 4+4 years. The term of the Third Framework in the Scheme will be 1+1 years, to account for the extension period. The Council does not guarantee that the framework will continue for the full term of 8 years. The estimated value of the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme over the 8-year term is PS2.2bn (inclusive of VAT) but this estimate is purely indicative and is subject to amendment prior to the publishing of any future Tender Notices and associated tender documentation. The estimated value of this First Framework is PS275,000,000 (inclusive of VAT). No guarantee is given as to the actual value of any Frameworks under the Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme, or any call-off contracts entered under any framework agreement. This estimated value is by no means a commitment to spend. The organisation of local government is undergoing reform and the Council anticipates a change to the responsibilities of the delivery of adult social care in the administrative area of Kent County Council. The Framework Agreement and Open Framework Scheme can be used by the Council on its own behalf and on behalf of the Relevant NHS Body (as defined in the Framework Agreement) and or any successor body of the Council, or Contracting Authority that delivers adult social care services in the geographical area of Kent County Council during the term of the Open Framework Scheme. The Council has duly considered the use of lots and has divided this procurement into 3 Lots based on categories of need, as below: *Lot 1 - Residential Care, consisting of the following services: (A)Residential Standard (B)Residential High *Lot 2 - Nursing Care, consisting of the following services: (A)Nursing Standard (B)Nursing High (C)Highly Specialised and Complex Care (this is optional, in addition to Lot 2(a) and (b)). *Lot 3 - Bariatric Care Tenderers must be able to deliver both the 'standard' and 'high' level of care required in each Lot they tender for, within each care home if they operate more than one. Lot 2C is optional in addition to Nursing Standard and Nursing High and may not be applied for as a stand-alone lot. Tenderers are referred to the contract documentation for full details. Lot 3 may only be delivered by a successful Tenderer also awarded a contract for Lot 1 and/or Lot 2. Lot 3 cannot be awarded as 'stand-alone' Service. Tenderers will be required to self-certify that they can provide all of the essential equipment requirements for the delivery of bariatric care in accordance with the Specification prior to the award of a contract; the Council will conduct due diligence consisting of a site visit of any Tenderer that tenders for Lot 3 prior to the award of any contract to verify the Tenderer's response. Tenderers are referred to the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for full details. The Council is seeking to award multiple contracts for each of the Lots. Application is via the Council's e-sourcing system, which is accessible here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk Further information on this opportunity can be found within the ITT. If you experience any technical difficulties accessing the ITT, then please contact the Delta eSourcing Helpdesk on call 0800 923 9236 or email helpdesk@delta-esourcing.com.

Lot Information

Residential Care

Renewal: Extension of up to 4 additional years

Nursing Care

Renewal: Extension of up to 4 additional years

Bariatric Care

Renewal: Extension of up to 4 additional years

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d4ab
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089984-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85311000 - Social work services with accommodation

85311100 - Welfare services for the elderly

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,217,051,660 £1B-£10B
Lots Value
£2,217,051,660 £1B-£10B
Awards Value
£2,217,051,660 £1B-£10B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
8 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
22 Sep 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Kent County Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XX
Postcode Area
Rochester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent

Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
107
Supplier Names

A Better Carehome Ltd

Abbey Lodge Residential Care Home

Acacia Number 1 Limited

ARMA Care Services Limited

Barton Court Care Home Limited

Belmont Healthcare (Madeira) Limited

Belmont Healthcare (Wombwell) Limited

Aquarius Lodge

BRAMBLES CARE LIMITED

Bramblings (Kent) Limited

Brook Lodge (Deal) Limited

Creedy Number 1 Limited

Avante Care & Support

BROOMFIELD LODGE LTD

BUPA CARE HOMES (ANS) LIMITED

BUPA CARE HOMES (CFCHOMES) LIMITED

Care Excellence Limited

Charing Court Investments Limited

Charing Dale Limited

Charing Hill Limited

Charing Lodge Limited

CHARING OAST LIMITED

Charing Park Investments Limited

CHARING VALE LIMITED

CHARING WAY LIMITED

Cooksditch House Care Ltd

Country Court Care Homes 5 Limited

Covenant Mission Care Ltd

Davis Care Limited

Dover House (GC) Limited

DUNHAM CARE (HERNE BAY) OPCO LIMITED

Mukesh Patel

EVERGREEN HEALTHCARE 2004 LIMITED

Gem Holistic Care Ltd

GM CARE HOME (DOVER) LTD

Green Gables Care Limited

GRIMSTON HOUSE CARE HOME LIMITED

HALDEN HEIGHTS LIMITED

Priory Mews Healthcare Limited

High Pines Residential Home Limited

Kent House Care Home Limited

KRYSTLEGATE LIMITED

Lett's Care Ltd

LYNDHURST REST HOME LIMITED

Merryhill Care Limited

MGL Healthcare Limited

Michael Yoakleys Charity

N & I Healthcare Limited

Nicholas James Care Homes Ltd

Oak Health Uk Ltd

Oakfield House Care Limited

Old Farm House Care Limited

Ocean Swell

Old Rectory Care Ltd

PREMIERE CARE (SOUTHERN) LIMITED

Heathfield

Raj & Knoll Limited

Rohan Care Ltd

Rosedene Residential Care Limited

ROXBURGH HOUSE LIMITED

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Sanctuary Care

SAXON LODGE RESIDENTIAL HOME LIMITED

Shottendane N Home Limited

Silverleaf Care Homes Limited

SLR CARE HOMES LTD

Songbird Hearing Limited

ST BRELADES RETIREMENT HOMES LIMITED

Tamehaven Limited

THE ISLAND RESIDENTIAL HOME LIMITED

Tonbridge Care Ltd

Townsend Life Care Ltd

TULIPA HOUSE LIMITED

Uniquehelp Limited

VEECARE LTD

VICARAGE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME LTD

Vivendo Care Limited

ST CLAIRES CARE HOME LIMITED

THE LALEHAM LTD.

TRALEE LTD

Regal Care Trading

BELMONT HEALTHCARE SERVICES LIMITED

Care UK Community Partnerships Ltd

Eleanor Nursing and Social Care

OUTSTANDING CARE HOMES LTD

Paydens (Nursing Homes) Limited

CROWNWOOD HEALTHCARE (TEMPLE EWELL) LIMITED

Cornford House Limited

Harmonia Care Village Limited

Harpwood House Limited

Hartley House Limited

Hawkhurst House Limited

Hawkinge House Limited

Hawkinge House 2nd Floor Limited

HAWKHURST HOUSE PAU LIMITED

HAWKINGE HOUSE PAU LIMITED

Hazeldene House Ltd

Healthcare Homes (LSC) Limited

Little Court Care Home Limited

Premium Healthcare Limited

Ramsgate Care Limited

RCH Care Homes Ltd

SALTWOOD CARE CENTRE LTD

WARWICK PARK CARE HOME LIMITED

West Hill Care Home Ltd

Whitstable House Ltd

Woodchurch House Ltd

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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