Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement - All-Age Direct Payment Support Service

SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Feb 2026 at 14:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Swindon Borough Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process focused on developing an All-Age Direct Payments Support Service. This initiative aims to enhance self-directed support for both adults and children through direct payments. Located in Swindon, United Kingdom (region UKK14), the Council is undertaking a preliminary market engagement process to gather feedback that will inform the final specification and commercial model of the tender. Business entities interested in participating are required to register through the ProContract portal by midday on 2nd March 2026. The process is classified under public authority, sub-central government, with industry categories related to community services and health services. The anticipated start date for the eventual contract is 1st September 2026 with a potential term of three years and the possibility of extension.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in social care services, particularly those focused on direct payments and virtual wallet solutions for managed accounts. Suppliers including Social Enterprises, Community Interest Companies, or Not for Profit organisations, especially those committed to invest in Swindon, may find this engagement beneficial for growth. The Council anticipates a contract value between £300,000 and £500,000, suggesting considerable opportunities for suppliers to expand their offerings in this sector. Businesses with expertise in managing payroll, recruiting personal assistants, or developing innovative solutions for direct payment support are well-positioned to contribute to this tender and help Swindon Borough Council deliver on its objectives.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement - All-Age Direct Payment Support Service

Notice Description

Swindon Borough Council invites you to contribute to preliminary market engagement in relation to the development of an All-Age Direct Payments Support Service and would welcome the views of suppliers on the questions set out in the questionnaire. The intention is to invite supplier feedback to help shape the final specification and commercial model to ensure the tender delivers the optimum outcomes for the Council. Swindon Borough Council is seeking input from the market for the supply of an All-Age Direct Payment Support Service supporting adults and children with their self-directed support offer through the delivery of direct payments. This Market Engagement builds on the feedback received in our recent engagement relating to Virtual Wallets. Swindon Borough Council are committed to increase the number of people who wish to access a social care Direct Payment that enables individuals to remain independent through developing their own packages of care and support. Swindon Borough Council would like to: * Understand the Market: See what services in relation to direct payments support providers can offer. * Opportunities to work with Social Enterprises, Community Interest Companies or Not for Profit organisations. To understand the interest from providers who have a strong commitment to investing in Swindon, working in partnership to deliver something new. * Shape Specifications: Get feedback to create better service requirements for future tenders. * Gather Insights: Learn about challenges and solutions for managing direct payments, such as handling payroll or supporting and recruiting personal assistants * Understand Barriers: To gain a better understanding of any potential barriers and how best to overcome them. It is the Councils intention to release an all-age direct payment support contract to potentially be effective from 1st September 2026. * The term of any future contract is yet to be determined; however, it is likely to be a minimum of 3 years with an option to extend further. * The anticipated value of this contract is yet to be determined but is likely to be between PS300,000 and PS500,000 based on a 3year term. * Swindon Borough Council has recently engaged the market to understand the aspiration to deliver virtual wallets for managed accounts in Swindon. The intention is to have a commissioned virtual wallet function in place by September 2026 that will interlink with any commissioned direct payment support service. However, we wish to include your thoughts on delivering a managed account function should the Council be unable to progress the virtual wallet system during 2026.

Planning Information

Engagement Process Description To participate in the Preliminary Market Engagement Suppliers will need to Register as a Supplier with ProContract, www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk, then Register an Interest before obtaining access to the Preliminary Market Engagement documents. Responses to the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire are required to be submitted no later than 12.00pm (midday) Monday 2nd March 2026 via ProContract tender portal - https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065972
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015755-2026
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

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

75200000 - Provision of services to the community

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Feb 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Mar 20261 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 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
SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Ms Elaine Turner
Contact Email
elaine.turner@swindon.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN1 2JH
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
TLK14 Swindon
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Eastcott
Westminster Constituency
Swindon South

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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