Planning

Management and Maintenance of Temporary Accommodation Pre-Market Engagement (PME)

WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Feb 2026 at 14:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Watford Borough Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for the management and maintenance of temporary accommodation in Watford, United Kingdom (UKH23 region). The initiative is not yet a formal tender but a pre-market engagement to shape service specifications and procurement documentation. This process involves a Preliminary Market Questionnaire (PMQ), inviting feedback from organisations with expertise in managing temporary accommodation or similar housing services. The council aims to finalise service designs and procurement documents by 5th March 2026. The procurement involves ensuring daily management responsibilities for a modest portfolio of properties, including 28 self-contained homes and 12 hostel rooms, and is expected to witness minor growth over the contract period, with the possibility of the procurement of new units in neighbouring areas.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses managing housing services, particularly those with a track record in temporary accommodation. Organisations that provide services such as rent collection, tenancy management, and property maintenance will find this opportunity attractive, especially given the estimated contract value of £2.78 million over four years. Companies experienced in adhering to health and safety standards and managing comprehensive housing service functions are well-suited to compete in this process. The council's emphasis on engaging the market at an early stage ensures that successful vendors will help shape critical service components, creating an advantageous partnership for strategic growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Management and Maintenance of Temporary Accommodation Pre-Market Engagement (PME)

Notice Description

THIS IS NOT A CALL TO TENDER; It is a Market Engagement via the use of a Questionnaire. As part of service specification development, performance framework design, and procurement planning, the Council is undertaking pre-market engagement with potential providers. We invite organisations with experience of managing temporary accommodation or closely related housing services to provide feedback on the questions below. Responses will be used solely to inform service design and procurement documentation. This Preliminary Market Questionnaire (PMQ) does not form part of a formal procurement process. The temporary accommodation properties will remain in the ownership of Watford Borough Council. The successful contractor will act as the Council's managing agent, taking responsibility for all day-to-day management and operational functions, including (but not limited to): *Rent collection and arrears management *Tenancy and licence management *Repairs and void works *Health and safety compliance *Statutory inspections and certifications *Building and estate management *Enforcement action, including evictions where necessary The Council will retain nomination rights and will determine which households are placed in each property. Current Stock Profile The current stock covered by the contract includes: *28 self-contained properties (a mix of 2- and 3-bedroom houses and flats) *12 hostel rooms (across 5 small hostels, used for families only) The portfolio may change over the life of the contract; however, any changes are expected to be modest. Some growth is anticipated and may include the addition of approximately 1-3 properties per year. Currently all stock is within the Watford borough council however there is the chances new units may be procured in neighbouring authorities. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-watford:-Housing-services./3QRAQT4BW5 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/3QRAQT4BW5

Planning Information

As part of service specification development, performance framework design, and procurement planning, the Council is undertaking pre-market engagement with a Questionnaire and requesting potential providers to download, complete and upload/return. We invite organisations with experience of managing temporary accommodation or closely related housing services to provide feedback on the questions below. Responses will be used solely to inform service design and procurement documentation. This Preliminary Market Questionnaire (PMQ) does not form part of a formal procurement process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064902
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010511-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

70 - Real estate services

CPV Codes

70333000 - Housing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,320,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Feb 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Mar 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2030 4-5 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
WATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Anita Awuku
Contact Email
anita.awuku@watford.gov.uk
Contact Phone
01923278953

Buyer Location

Locality
WATFORD
Postcode
WD17 3EX
Post Town
Watford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH27 South West Hertfordshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Watford
Electoral Ward
Park
Westminster Constituency
Watford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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