Notice Information
Notice Title
DHSC: Request for Information Fair Pay Agreement: Negotiation and sector support
Notice Description
The Department of Health and Social Care is seeking information on your views regarding a 'Negotiation Support Fund' for the Adult Social Care Fair Pay Agreement that is due to be delivered during the 2026/27 financial year. The aim of the Request for Information (RFI) is to explore your views on a proposed negotiation support fund offer. Responses will help to shape the specification for potential competitive tender as per the applicable procurement regulations and build a tailored offer. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute an Invitation to Tender (ITT) or a promise to issue an ITT in the future. This RFI does not commit the Authority to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Background: The government is committed to transforming adult social care and supporting adult social care workers, turning the page on decades of low pay and insecurity. That is why we plan to introduce the first ever Fair Pay Agreement in 2028, backed by PS500m funding to improve pay and conditions for the adult social care workforce. The Employment Rights Bill establishes a framework for Fair Pay Agreements, through which an agreement for the adult social care sector can be negotiated. Following public consultation, we expect regulations establishing the Negotiating Body will be laid in 2026 and negotiations will be held in 2027. Negotiations between employee and employer representatives will shape how the funding will be used to enhance pay, terms and conditions, as well as other matters, such as training and professional development. There is currently no single body that is representative of all ASC employers. Further, because FPAs are new to the sector, experience of collective bargaining at national level (both for employer and employee representatives) in this sector is limited. Accordingly, any potential representative body will need to adapt and upskill in order to be ready to begin effective, sector-wide negotiations which are due to commence in 2027-28. Therefore, the Authority is considering providing funding to support organisations who may be participating in or supporting the collective bargaining process, for one year preceding the first ASC FPA negotiations only, to sufficiently upskill, organise and prepare them for negotiations. The contract would be awarded for one year only in 2026-27. Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) are eligible to apply for this RFI, if they have the relevant experience. Responses are due no later than Friday 21st November 2025 at 16:00 and shall be submitted via the Atamis e-sourcing portal. All the interested suppliers should register at: health.atamis.co.uk to apply for the opportunity. For any Atamis queries, email to: support-health@atamis.co.uk or via Helpdesk Phone: 0800 9956035.
Planning Information
If there is sufficient interest, we will be hosting a webinar for potential suppliers on Wednesday 26th November at 11:30-12:30. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and provide verbal feedback. To register and help us confirm the event, please email Georgia.Cohen@dhsc.gov.uk or Katie.Weeks@dhsc.gov.uk by Monday 17th November 2025 at 16:00.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-05da18
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070925-2025
- 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
98 - Other community, social and personal services
-
- CPV Codes
98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £250,000 £100K-£500K
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 4 Nov 20253 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 9 Feb 2026Expired
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
- 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
- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE
- Contact Name
- Gauri Jain
- Contact Email
- gauri.jain@dhsc.gov.uk
- Contact Phone
- Not specified
Buyer Location
- Locality
- LONDON
- Postcode
- SW1H 0EU
- Post Town
- South West London
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLI London
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLI3 Inner London - West
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLI35 Westminster and City of London
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- Westminster
- Electoral Ward
- St James's
- Westminster Constituency
- Cities of London and Westminster
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070925-2025
4th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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