Award

Critical Friend - Devolution Programme

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

02 Jan 2026 at 15:22

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "Critical Friend - Devolution Programme" was conducted by Essex County Council, based in Chelmsford. This contract, falling under the category of business and management consultancy services, aims to assess and enhance the deliverables of the Devolution programme to ensure its objectives are met effectively. The procurement process has reached the award stage, and the contract, valued at £70,400, commenced on 29th September 2025 and is set to complete by 28th March 2026, with potential for renewal until 28th September 2026. The process was identified as below threshold with unknown procurement method, indicating projects of this scale are approachable for a variety of service providers.

For businesses involved in consultancy services, particularly those specialising in public sector advisory roles, this tender represents an opportunity for substantial growth and engagement with critical governmental programmes. Companies with capabilities in strategic insights, compliance, operational efficiency, and investment opportunities would find this contract well-suited to their expertise. Benefiting from collaboration with high-level executives and leaders, the chosen supplier, Solace, demonstrates how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can leverage such opportunities to expand their influence within public sector initiatives, fostering potential long-term relationships and future collaborative projects.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Critical Friend - Devolution Programme

Notice Description

The devolution programme team is bringing on external 'critical friends', experts who have been recruited through the company Solace. The purpose of this external critical friend is to independently assess the Devolution programme deliverables and outcomes to ensure that the new MCCA is fit for purpose and to review operational efficiency, compliance and performance outcomes to meet the objectives in the White paper. The assessment should provide recommendations for improvements or corrective actions. Actions will include: Review of Programme with CEOs/Leaders and WSLs. Review approach, strategy, operational, governance and deliverables. Review relationships and ambition with and between Greater Essex and the CA Review of programme governance and Governance approach for CCA , Constitution Strategic insights. Call on for advice/strategic insight as required by Sponsors. Targeted as needed Advise programme team on investment opportunities. Work with team to design investment opportunity options for Mayor Induction pack

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fed0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000070-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - unknown
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£70,400 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Sep 20254 months ago
Contract Period
28 Sep 2025 - 28 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurementsanda@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SOLACE

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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