Planning

Rapid Response and Night Sitting Service

NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

01 May 2026 at 11:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Norfolk County Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for the "Rapid Response and Night Sitting Service," which falls under the industry category of health and social work services. This service aims to provide urgent care outside of standard office hours to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and ensure early patient discharge. The initiative is targeted for delivery in multiple regions within Norfolk (UKH15, UKH16, UKH17). A virtual market engagement event is scheduled for 13th May 2026, allowing interested parties to engage with the council about the procurement process. The planning involves significant potential changes in the local government framework, with proposals to create unitary councils and a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Norfolk potentially affecting the contract's future administration. The procurement strategy includes market engagement to enhance transparency and competitive participation, scheduled ahead of the formal tender notice expected on 1st June 2026.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses involved in health and social care services, particularly those capable of swift mobilisation to provide support services during unsociable hours. It is ideal for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) seeking to expand their client base by partnering with local government. The anticipated contract value is substantial, offering both financial incentives and longer-term collaboration prospects, given the potential changes in local governance that may extend the service reach and opportunities for assignment or transfer of responsibilities. Furthermore, the light touch procurement regime provides a conducive regulatory environment, encouraging diverse participation and innovation in service delivery.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Rapid Response and Night Sitting Service

Notice Description

The Rapid Response Service in Norfolk provides a timely, short term, multi disciplinary response to adults with urgent care and support needs arising outside of standard office hours, including evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays. The service is designed to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, facilitate early discharge, and maintain individuals safely and independently within their own homes or usual place of residence. This is a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN) for information purposes only. It is not a formal invitation to tender. You will need to respond to the tender notice in order to be considered for these contracts. The purpose of this PMEN is to maximise transparency and competition for the upcoming tender notice. All details in this PMEN are subject to being updated or changed in the tender notice. We are publishing this notice to share engagement outputs and to ensure as wider audience as possible are aware and informed of Norfolk County Council's intentions. If you wish to attend the engagement sessions, please use correspondence via in-tend to notify us of the email addresses of those who wish to attend and invite will be issued. A. On 19 November 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness made a written statement [UIN HCWS1071] saying that three proposals for unitary local government in Norfolk had been received - these could entail the creation of one, two or three unitary councils. The Minister announced a consultation exercise, which ended on 11 January 2026. The Minister stated that "once the consultations have concluded, the Government will assess the proposals against the criteria in the invitation and decide, subject to parliamentary approval, which, if any, proposals are to be implemented, with or without modification". The Government has confirmed that it is minded to create three unitary Councils, subject to parliamentary approval. B. On 4 December 2025, the Secretary of State for Local Government made a written statement [UIN HCWS1128] stating that the government intends to establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk as soon as possible, and that it is minded to hold inaugural mayoral elections in May 2028. Should these processes lead to unitary local government in Norfolk and/or to the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering Norfolk (i) the contract may be transferred, assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to the council, or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor and/or to any Mayoral Strategic Authority; and/or (ii) the council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.

Planning Information

Virtual Market Engagement Event to be held via MS Team on 13th May 2026, 11am - 12 noon. Discussion points • Outline of the Service Model and Service Description • Contract and Financial Information • Procurement Process and Legislation Interested parties will need to register their interest for the market engagement on In-Tend and a separate invite will be sent. Applicants must first be registered on https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc) Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfiles (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfile). Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under 'tenders' section and 'express an interest'. Please then use the correspondence facility to let us know that you are interested in attending a market engagement session(s). The procurement, once issued, will also be managed via In-Tend.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069034
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040457-2026
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,110,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 May 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jun 20265 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 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
NORFOLK 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
NORWICH
Postcode
NR1 2DH
Post Town
Norwich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH5 Norfolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH51 Norwich and East Norfolk
Delivery Location
TLH15 Norwich and East Norfolk, TLH16 North and West Norfolk, TLH17 Breckland and South Norfolk
Local Authority
Norwich
Electoral Ward
Lakenham
Westminster Constituency
Norwich South

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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