Planning

BwD Information and Advice Service

BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Feb 2026 at 14:11

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is progressing to the planning stage of its procurement process for an All-Age Carers Service and an Information and Advice Service as part of its Happy Healthy and Well initiative. Classified under 'Other community, social and personal services,' this tender aims to enhance support services within Blackburn, UKD41 region. An in-person pre-market engagement event is scheduled on Thursday, 19th March 2026 at Livesey Family Hub, Blackburn from 10:00 to 12:00. Interested parties must register by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 18th March 2026, with a maximum of two attendees per organisation. The contract period is set to start on 1st October 2026 and run until as late as 30th September 2031, including potential renewal.

This tender presents significant opportunities for SMEs and organisations within the VCFSE sector to expand their reach and impact in the community services domain. Businesses proficient in delivering comprehensive carer support and advice services, especially those demonstrating strong integration with local health networks, will be particularly well-suited to compete. The projects emphasise a strengths-based approach, seeking innovative service models that align with social value commitments. The budget available for these services is £1,491,360, creating room for businesses to deliver high-quality, sustainable support solutions that contribute to the borough's preventive care efforts, potentially reducing reliance on statutory services.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

BwD Information and Advice Service

Notice Description

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is looking to procure for an All-Age Carers Service and an Information and Advice Service, as part of its Happy Healthy and Well (prevention) offer, and is holding an in-person pre-market engagement event on Thursday 19 March 2026. The event aims to develop a clearer understanding of the market and gather insight into supplier capabilities, innovations, and delivery models for the provision of support services in Blackburn with Darwen. The sessions will also support providers in understanding procurement requirements, social value commitments, and will help inform the development of value-driven service specifications. The engagement event will cover both of the following separate service areas: > ALL AGE CARERS SERVICE - Commission 1 (The Chest ref no: DN807429) > INFORMATION AND ADVICE SERVICE - Commission 2 (This commission; The Chest ref no: DN807446): Both commissions are distinct and will operate independently. However, providers will be expected to demonstrate strong connectivity with the borough's VCFSE and health networks, in order to complement and strengthen the wider VCFSE infrastructure. The market engagement event will cover both commissions. BACKGROUND All Age Carers Service: The aim of this service is to provide a comprehensive offer of support - including groups, activities, guidance and interventions - to those who have caring responsibilities for someone in Blackburn with Darwen. This will be available to carers of all ages, including young carers (5-15 years); young adult carer (16-18 years), and adult carers (18+ years). Information and Advice Service: The aim of this service is to support residents to identify services, groups, and support offers that enable them to maintain their independence. It will support the Council's strengths-based approach and form a core element of the local prevention offer, supporting individuals to build on their own capabilities and reducing on reliance on statutory services. MEETING INFORMATION The pre-market engagement event, which will cover both commissions, will be held in-person on: Thursday 19 March 2026, at: Livesey Family Hub Andrew Close Blackburn BB2 4NU The event will run from 10:00 - 12:00. REGISTRATION If you would like to attend the pre-market engagement meeting, please complete the below Microsoft Form to register yourself for the event: https://forms.office.com/e/nimp6mNVhW Each attendee who wishes to attend should register individually. Due to capacity, a maximum of 2 people per organisation may attend. Registration closes at 12:00 noon on Wednesday 18th March 2026. .

Planning Information

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is looking to procure for an All-Age Carers Service and an Information and Advice Service, as part of its Happy Healthy and Well (prevention) offer, and is holding an in-person pre-market engagement event on Thursday 19 March 2026. The event aims to develop a clearer understanding of the market and gather insight into supplier capabilities, innovations, and delivery models for the provision of support services in Blackburn with Darwen. The sessions will also support providers in understanding procurement requirements, social value commitments, and will help inform the development of value-driven service specifications. The engagement event will cover the following separate service areas: All Age Carers Service - Commission 1 Information and Advice Service - Commission 2 Both commissions are distinct and will operate independently. MEETING INFORMATION The pre-market engagement event (covering both commissions) will be held in person on: Thursday 19 March 2026, at: Livesey Family Hub Andrew Close Blackburn BB2 4NU The event will run from 10:00 - 12:00. REGISTRATION If you would like to attend the pre-market engagement meetings, please complete the below Microsoft Form to register yourself for the event. https://forms.office.com/e/nimp6mNVhW Each attendee who wishes to attend should register individually. Due to capacity, a maximum of 2 people per organisation may attend. Registration closes at 12:00 noon on Wednesday 18th March 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065843
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015280-2026
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

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,242,800 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Feb 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jun 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 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
BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN
Contact Name
Joe Roscow
Contact Email
joe.roscow@blackburn.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1254

Buyer Location

Locality
BLACKBURN
Postcode
BB2 1DH
Post Town
Blackburn
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD4 Lancashire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD41 Blackburn with Darwen
Delivery Location
TLD41 Blackburn with Darwen
Local Authority
Blackburn with Darwen
Electoral Ward
Blackburn Central
Westminster Constituency
Blackburn

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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