Notice Information
Notice Title
GMCA1667.4 Greater Manchester Integrated Rehabilitation Services (GMIRS) Wellbeing Support & Integration Service
Notice Description
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) intends to award a contract of up to PS5,831,988.69 to Big Life to support the delivery of the Greater Manchester Integrated Rehabilitation Services (GMIRS) Wellbeing Support & Integration Service over an 18-month period, commencing 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2027 (on a 12 month + 6 month basis). The funding for the initial 12-month contract period will be PS3,887,992.46. Subject to confirmation of funding, PS1,943,996.23 will be issued for the period 1 April to 30 September 2027. Big Life are the incumbent provider of the GMIRS Wellbeing Support and Integration Service which provides community spaces in Greater Manchester that provide free, tailored support to individuals on probation. Wellbeing hubs offer tailored assistance in areas such as emotional regulation, decision-making, and financial advice, focusing on individual goals and aspirations. The service aims to reduce the likelihood of future engagement with probation services by providing tools and positive relationships. The current contract for the provision of the Wellbeing Support and Integration Service (GMCA 600), was awarded following a competitive Open procurement process in 2023, during which Big Life submitted the most economically advantageous bid. The current contract will expire on 31st March 2026, and budget confirmation for GMIRS covering 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 was received from HMPSS in November 2025. A compliant procurement process is now underway to award a new Greater Manchester Rehabilitation Services (GMRS) contract starting from 1st October 2027, ensuring alignment with the national approach for CRS contracts (regionally referred to as GMRS). As this risks an 18-month gap in service provision, and a change of provider at this point would create disproportionate technical difficulties for GMCA, a Direct Award is being sought under Schedule 5 (7) of the Procurement Act 2023. Appointing a new provider at this stage would create significant incompatibilities with the existing service and impose disproportionate challenges for GMCA in mobilising and managing delivery within the limited 18-month timeframe before the long-term contract is procured. Appointing a new provider for a short term interim contract would create significant challenges, including TUPE complexities, delays in vetting and onboarding, disruption to established local networks, and risks to data and system integration. These factors would undermine service continuity and create operational difficulties that are disproportionate to the short-term nature of the contract. In addition, Big Life has demonstrated consistent, high-quality performance, operational efficiency, and positive social impact, supporting the value for money consideration of the Direct Award. The proposed approach ensures continuity of a statutory service while a fully compliant competitive procurement for the redesigned GMIRS service is scheduled for 2026, with a new long-term contract commencing October 2027.
Procurement Information
A Direct Award is being sought under Schedule 5 (7) of the Procurement Act 2023. Appointing a new provider at this stage would create significant incompatibilities with the existing service and impose disproportionate challenges for GMCA in mobilising and managing delivery within the limited 18-month timeframe before the long-term contract is procured. This award satisfies both conditions under Schedule 5(7) of the Procurement Act 2023: a) a change in supplier would result in services that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing GMIRS Wellbeing Support & Integration Service; and b) such incompatibility would cause disproportionate technical difficulties in mobilisation, continuity of service, and compliance with statutory obligations. Appointing a new provider for a short term interim contract would create significant challenges, including TUPE complexities, delays in vetting and onboarding, disruption to established local networks, and risks to data and system integration. These factors would undermine service continuity and create operational difficulties that are disproportionate to the short-term nature of the contract.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-066730
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021782-2026
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK6 - Contract Award Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Direct
- Procurement Method Details
- Direct award
- Tender Suitability
- SME, VCSE
- Awardee Scale
- Large
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
75 - Administration, defence and social security services
85 - Health and social work services
-
- CPV Codes
75231200 - Services related to the detention or rehabilitation of criminals
75231240 - Probation services
85320000 - Social services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- £5,831,988 £1M-£10M
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 11 Mar 20263 days ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- Not specified
- Award Date
- 11 Mar 20264 days ago
- Contract Period
- 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Complete
- Lots Status
- Complete
- Awards Status
- Pending
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY
- Contact Name
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
- Contact Email
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
- Contact Phone
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Buyer Location
- Locality
- MANCHESTER
- Postcode
- M1 6EU
- Post Town
- Manchester
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLD North West (England)
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLD3 Greater Manchester
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLD33 Manchester
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- Manchester
- Electoral Ward
- Deansgate
- Westminster Constituency
- Manchester Central
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021782-2026
11th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021739-2026
11th March 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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