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Enforcement Services for the Child Maintenance Service

Department for Work & Pensions

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

06 May 2026 at 16:13

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

06 Jan 2026 at 18:21

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), located at Caxton House in London, has initiated an open procurement process through a competitive flexible procedure for "Enforcement Services for the Child Maintenance Service". This procurement focuses on debt recovery services across England and Wales, specifically targeting child maintenance arrears. The current stage of this process is the Tender stage with a submission deadline on 11th August 2026. The procurement involves services in the category of bailiff services, with an estimated contract value of £3,543,900 excluding VAT, and is classified as a concession type under the Procurement Act 2023. The tender process includes three stages: pre-qualification and financial capacity assessments, supplier demonstrations, and final written submissions, with the latter focusing 100% on technical criteria.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses engaged in enforcement services or those offering relevant IT systems for case management, as they can demonstrate their capacity and innovation in a complex area financially backed by the DWP. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can particularly benefit from this tender as the procurement is designed to allow for participation by SMEs. The tender encourages new methodologies and system capabilities that enhance effectiveness in managing child maintenance arrears. Businesses with experience in direct enforcement models or with robust IT platform capabilities for supporting enforcement services would find this opportunity well-suited to their expertise, with potential contract extensions adding further growth possibilities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Enforcement Services for the Child Maintenance Service

Notice Description

Debt Recovery service across England and Wales linked to the recovery of child maintenance arrears owed by parents who have a responsibility to pay maintenance for their children.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: A further period(s) of up to three years . The value of the contract listed includes the total value (payments made directly by the DWP plus estimated fees earning potential based on current performance) for the full maximum five year term of the contract. Any one off start up costs payable will be in addition to the above value.

Planning Information

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), acting on behalf of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) , intends to procure a concession service across England and Wales in early 2026 for the recovery of child maintenance arrears owed by parents who have a responsibility to pay maintenance for their children. It is envisaged that the contract will be for an initial two year fixed period and could be extended for a further three years. The value of the contract stated reflects the total estimated value of the contract over the full term excluding any start up costs. DWP wishes to consult a range of suppliers in the market , including both enforcement agencies who provide enforcement services directly and also managing platform suppliers of enforcement services, to establish the level of interest in participating in a tender exercise and supplying the bespoke service requirements of the Child Maintenance Service. The Buyer wishes to consult with the market on the optimal approach to delivering an outcomes orientated service which supports the growth and financial viability of the Supply Chain whilst ensuring that service delivery supports any next stage debt enforcement activity within the Child Maintenance Service. The required service will also potentially include additional administrative activities which would need to be provided by the supplier(s). These administrative elements of the service are not covered by the Taking Control of Goods Fees Regulations and will be paid directly by the Buyer. The service will continue to be a concessions service irrespective of any additional paid administrative elements as the value of the contract will be largely based on the fees earned by the Supplier or by any sub-contractors. Specific areas on which the buyer wishes to consult the market therefore include the following:- 1.Market feedback on Supplier's experience of managing supplier platforms model v direct enforcement model and various linked operational delivery issues associated with delivering bespoke CMS requirements. 2.Pricing mechanisms for payment of any additional administrative elements involved in delivering the service required by DWP and market feedback on DWP draft pricing proposals 3.The procurement methods available for concession type procurements (including market feedback on potential use of the new Open Competitive Flexible Procedure with a Participation Stage). This might include a supplier demonstration stage based on the bespoke service requirements. 4. Lotting across the England and Wales footprint. The Buyer has not made a final decision on the model or route to market at the point of issuing this notice and will use the feedback from market engagement to assist with final decision making and pricing approaches. Suppliers interested in attending a market engagement event which it is proposed to hold online on Wednesday 28th January 2026 should register their interest by emailing cd.debtservices@dwp.gov.uk by 22nd January 2026. Following the market engagement session outlined above the Buyer reserves the right to seek additional market feedback, including via one to one meetings with interested suppliers, in order to resolve any remaining operational issues prior to issuing a tender opportunity.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060078
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041605-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

CPV Codes

75242110 - Bailiff services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,543,900 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,543,900 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
11 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
26 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Oct 2026 - 13 Oct 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Work & Pensions
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9NA
Postcode Area
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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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