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Connect To Work Programme

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

18 May 2026 at 12:54

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

20 Feb 2026 at 12:21

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

01 Dec 2025 at 15:43

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is overseeing the "Connect To Work Programme" as part of an open procurement process. The programme is designed to enhance local employment by engaging with the "hidden unemployed" and disadvantaged groups. It involves a comprehensive service delivery through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), strictly adhering to these models' fidelity scales. The procurement was conducted under a light-touch regime with a competitive flexible procedure. The awarded contract began on 15th April 2026, with a contract end date scheduled for 31st March 2028, and options to extend the contract up to March 2030. The lead authority has partnered with Cambridgeshire County Council for the programme, and the services provided will span the CPCA area, mainly focusing on recruitment, education, and training services.

This tender represents an excellent opportunity for businesses with expertise in supported employment services, such as those capable of delivering IPS and SEQF models, to expand in the public sector. Companies specialising in career guidance, recruitment services, and training programme services stand to benefit. With a maximum contract value of approximately £12.3 million, organisations with robust local supply chains and resources to engage with disadvantaged groups will find this particular procurement an opportunity for growth. Additionally, businesses that can innovate in employment provision and manage a diverse portfolio of job placements could thrive by contributing valuable services to this ambitious initiative.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Connect To Work Programme

Notice Description

The Authority, acting as the Lead Authority and Accountable Body, seeks to award a single contract to an experienced Supplier to manage a specialist supply chain and deliver 3,738 Connect to Work Programme starts, along with associated job starts and outcomes, between contract commencement and 31 March 2030. The successful Supplier will be responsible for: Building and managing a specialist, local supply chain of delivery partners. Ensuring access to, and engagement with, the targeted Connect to Work participants. Overall delivery of both IPS (Individual Placement and Support model) and SEQF (Support Employment Quality Framework) support to the IPS and SEQF fidelity scales2 at the required volumes and profiles as detailed in this Specification The contract will cover delivery to 3,738 participants in the CPCA area over five years, with volumes expected to peak in Years 3 and 4. The maximum contract value is PS12,291,042.00 (excluding VAT). Funding is planned in two stages, reflecting a DWP review at the end of Year 3: Contract commencement - 31 March 2028 PS6,818,466 for 2,360 participants PS5,472,576 for 1,378 participants (planned) Appointment will be based on the Supplier's expertise, resources, and approach. Quality Question responses in Document D will form contractual obligations. The contract will be signed under hand.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Contract durations 25 months initially, with option to extend by 24 months. The Authority may, by giving the Supplier not less than three months' written notice prior to expiry of the Initial Term, request the extension of this agreement in respect of the whole (or part) of the Services and on the same terms mutatis mutandis, for a period of up to two years from the day following expiry of the Initial Term.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ec2f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045331-2026
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
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

79600000 - Recruitment services

79611000 - Job search services

79634000 - Career guidance services

80000000 - Education and training services

80521000 - Training programme services

80570000 - Personal development training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£12,291,042 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£12,291,042 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£12,291,042 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£12,291,042 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Feb 20266 months ago
Contract Period
15 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Additional Buyers

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough 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
HUNTINGDON
Postcode
PE29 3TN
Postcode Area
Peterborough
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH4 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH42 Cambridgeshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Huntingdonshire
Electoral Ward
Huntingdon North
Westminster Constituency
Huntingdon

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Cambridgeshire County Council

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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