Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement - Provision of an Adolescent Support Service within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust

NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 Jan 2026 at 15:06

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

This procurement process, initiated by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), seeks to engage with suppliers for the provision of an Adolescent Support Service. The process is currently in the planning stage, with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust acting as the buyer and the Business Services Organisation overseeing the procurement process. The industry category falls under health and social work services, taking place in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Key dates include a preliminary market engagement deadline on 12th February 2026. The procurement is classified under a light-touch regime and is governed by the Procurement Act 2023.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in health and social care sectors, particularly those skilled in adolescent support services. The procurement is anticipated to foster business growth by encouraging participation from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), aligning with sustainability and Net Zero initiatives. Companies adept at providing responsive interventions aimed at preventing family breakdowns and reducing risk-taking behaviours in youths aged 10-17 may find this opportunity particularly well-suited to their expertise. Engaging in this tender provides the chance to influence service delivery models and showcase innovative solutions, potentially leading to long-term contracts starting January 2027.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement - Provision of an Adolescent Support Service within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Notice Description

****Preliminary Market Engagement Exercise**** The Business Services Organisation (BSO), Procurement and Logistic Service (PaLS), on behalf of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), is conducting this Preliminary Market Engagement exercise to engage with suppliers who are interested in delivering this Service. The NHSCT plans to conduct a covered procurement for an Adolescent Support Service, which will offer direct support to adolescents, aged 10 - 17, and their families who require responsive intervention at times when it is needed the most. This Service, aims to prevent family breakdown and the necessity of alternative care. The Service will help to prevent the escalation of need and the reduction of risk-taking behaviour therefore reducing the requirement for higher level statutory intervention. The purpose of this preliminary market engagement is to develop the NHSCT's requirements and approach to the procurement; to prepare the tender notice and associated tender documents; to identify suppliers that may be able to supply the service required; and to build capacity among suppliers in relation to the contract that may be awarded. The intended outcome of this preliminary market engagement is to raise awareness in the market of this upcoming covered procurement, gauge the level of market interest in the provision of such services; engage and receive feedback from the market by outlining the NHSCT's proposals for the delivery of this service, its procurement plans and requirements, in advance of any formal tender process. In addition, the NHSCT wishes to gain a better understanding within the market of the feasibility of the service requirements, the risks and potential issues relating to the service, the applicable social value initiatives; current market practices in respect of Sustainability and Net Zero; and cybersecurity. The information gathered as part of this engagement will be used by the NHSCT to clarify and develop its requirements, assess the market's capacity and develop its procurement strategy. Interested parties shall bear their own costs of participation in this market engagement and PaLS/NHSCT shall not be liable for any costs, expenses or losses howsoever arising from this engagement exercise. Note - Any interest shown in the preliminary market engagement does not constitute a commitment to participate in a procurement exercise. Non-participation in this preliminary market engagement process does not preclude any supplier from participating in the covered procurement tendering process. This covered procurement is governed by the Procurement Act 2023. The service being tendered is classified as a Light Touch Service. There is no guarantee that a procurement exercise will be initiated in respect of this service.

Planning Information

To participate in this market engagement please read the Preliminary Market Engagement Paper (CP13) and complete and submit the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire (CP12) via eTendersNI by the engagement deadline/submission deadline - 12th February 2026 at 15.00. The Paper (CP12) and the Questionnaire (CP13) are both available via eTendersNI under Resource ID/CfT number 6295972. Please ensure you are registered with eTendersNI. Please note that the Contract dates in this Notice are estimated and subject to change. Please note that estimated date of publication of Tender notice in this Notice is an anticipated date and subject to change.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060c76
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005846-2026
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jan 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2029 3-4 years
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
NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST
Additional Buyers

BUSINESS SERVICES ORGANISATION

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
palssocialcare.sourcing@hscni.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
ANTRIM
Postcode
BT41 2RL
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN07 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Electoral Ward
Cathedral
Westminster Constituency
Newry and Armagh

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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