Planning

Provision of a Digital Inclusion Service

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

26 Feb 2026 at 13:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Gloucestershire County Council, located in Gloucester, is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the provision of a countywide Digital Inclusion Service. This tender, classified under the industry category of "Other community, social and personal services," aims to ensure full digital participation for residents across all demographics. The service aligns with the Council's Digital Infrastructure, Inclusion and Innovation Strategy (DIIIS) and supports various facets such as health, education, and community safety through digital connectivity. Prospective businesses should note that the due date for engagement is set for 25 March 2026, and the project is slated to commence on 1 April 2027 for a three-year term ending on 31 March 2030.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for SMEs and VCSEs within the digital solutions sector, as Gloucestershire County Council encourages consortia and supply chain models that enable smaller and grassroots providers to participate. Businesses specialising in digital literacy, online security, financial management tools, or those focused on healthcare access solutions will find this opportunity particularly beneficial. Engaging in this procurement not only promises a stable contract but also aligns with a progressive governmental strategy aimed at enhancing residents' quality of life through a digitally inclusive society.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of a Digital Inclusion Service

Notice Description

Gloucestershire County Council intends to procure a comprehensive, countywide digital inclusion service to ensure that every resident, regardless of age, income, health status, or location, can participate safely and confidently in an increasingly digital society. This procurement will drive the Council's Digital Infrastructure, Inclusion and Innovation Strategy (DIIIS), which sets a clear vision for a "digitally connected and inclusive Gloucestershire" and commits the authority to targeted skills support through libraries and the VCSE sector. The following link points you to the ProContract procurement portal https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?p=696a9836-1895-e511-8105-000c29c9ba21&v=1

Planning Information

The Council wishes to inform current and potential service providers as to its future intentions for the three-year period commencing 1 April 2027 in respect of delivering its Countywide Digital Inclusion Service. This will be an opportunity for those attending to comment on the proposed service delivery. A presentation will be delivered by the Project Team and emailed after the meeting to those attending. It should be noted that the meeting will be recorded to allow the Project Team to fully capture the content of the meeting. Attendance at the meeting is restricted to two representatives from each organisation. Please confirm attendance via email to: digital.connectivity@gloucestershire.gov.uk Detailing: Organisation Name Names and position of those attending Background to Procuring a Countywide Digital Inclusion Service Gloucestershire County Council intends to procure a comprehensive, countywide digital inclusion service to ensure that every resident, regardless of age, income, health status, or location, can participate safely and confidently in an increasingly digital society. This procurement will drive the Council's Digital Infrastructure, Inclusion and Innovation Strategy (DIIIS), which sets a clear vision for a "digitally connected and inclusive Gloucestershire" and commits the authority to targeted skills support through libraries and the VCSE sector. Digital inclusion is not an optional extra; it is foundational to life chances and public value: • Health and well-being: Core NHS services, including appointment booking, repeat prescriptions, and access to personal health records via the NHS App. • Cost of living: Being online helps households compare tariffs, manage finances. • Education and employment: Essential digital skills underpin learning at all ages and are now implicit in most jobs. • Community participation and safety: Digital connectivity supports volunteering, local democracy, social networks, and access to council and partner services. • Why a county wide service: A county wide contract will deliver consistency, value for money, and measurable outcomes across all six districts, while retaining the local flexibility needed to reach those who are least likely to seek help. The model we are commissioning combines a single framework for governance, quality, safeguarding, data standards, and reporting with locally rooted delivery that can adapt to distinct community needs and geographies. Modules for inclusion Within the Service: • Getting Started Online • Navigating the Internet • Staying Safe Online • Communicating Online • Managing Money Online • Accessing Health and Care Services • Employment Skills • Accessibility and Inclusion • Online Council and Government Services • Affordability and Digital Deals • Lifelong Learning Success depends on Trust: The Council is committed to commissioning in a way that leverages the credibility and relationships that VCSE organisations. We will encourage consortia and supply chain models that enable smaller, grassroots providers to participate, and we will expect strong arrangements for volunteer recruitment, training, and support so that community champions can extend reach sustainably.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065d1c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017363-2026
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Feb 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
25 Mar 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 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
GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLOUCESTER
Postcode
GL1 2TG
Post Town
Gloucester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK73 Gloucestershire CC
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Gloucester
Electoral Ward
Westgate
Westminster Constituency
Gloucester

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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