Planning

Soft Market Engagement - Commercial Opportunity Development (not a formal procurement exercise)

LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

08 May 2026 at 10:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Lancashire County Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process, aiming to explore commercial opportunity development through a soft market engagement initiative. This process, titled "Soft Market Engagement - Commercial Opportunity Development," focuses on the service industry category, specifically targeting business and management consultancy services. Taking place in Preston, UK region, interested suppliers are encouraged to respond to a survey outlining their expertise by noon on 18th May 2026. A follow-up in-person discussion session with selected suppliers is scheduled for 28th May 2026 to explore ideas and potential collaborations.

This tender offers a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in business and management consultancy, idea generation, and delivery support to engage with Lancashire County Council. Companies capable of showcasing their experience in developing local authority commercial opportunities and collaborating with internal commercial teams to deliver rapid results will find this engagement particularly beneficial. Even though this is not a formal procurement exercise, participating businesses can gain insights into the council's approach, potentially positioning themselves advantageously for future, more formal procurement opportunities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Soft Market Engagement - Commercial Opportunity Development (not a formal procurement exercise)

Notice Description

Lancashire County Council is seeking to engage the market to better understand the support available to help accelerate and strengthen its programme of commercial activity. The Council is exploring how it can generate additional value and income through new commercial models, making best use of its assets, services and capabilities. The Council is interested in understanding: * Best practice in developing and delivering local authority commercial opportunities; * The types of expertise and support that suppliers can offer, including idea generation, business case development and delivery support; * How suppliers can work alongside an internal commercial team to build capacity and deliver at pace. This engagement is not a procurement exercise. The purpose is to undertake structured soft market testing to inform the Council's future approach and shape any subsequent requirements. Suppliers are invited to respond to a short survey setting out their relevant experience, approach and capacity. Please note, there will not be any formal evaluation of responses. Following review of responses, the Council anticipates inviting a small number of suppliers to attend an in-person discussion session on 28th May 2026, to explore approaches, share ideas and discuss potential future collaboration. Participation in this engagement does not commit the Council to any future procurement or contractual arrangement. To be considered, please respond by noon on 18th May 2026.

Planning Information

Suppliers are invited to respond to a short survey setting out their relevant experience, approach and capacity. Please note, there will not be any formal evaluation of responses. Following review of responses, the Council anticipates inviting a small number of suppliers to attend an in‑person discussion session on 28th May 2026, to explore approaches, share ideas and discuss potential future collaboration. Participation in this engagement does not commit the Council to any future procurement or contractual arrangement. To be considered, please respond by noon on 18th May 2026. Link to Survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/4cyAzAE1jV Link to Lancashire County Council website advert: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/lps-soft-market-engagement-commercial-opportunity-development/  

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06946a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042390-2026
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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 May 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 May 20264 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Jun 2026 - 21 Aug 2026 1-6 months
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
LANCASHIRE 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
PRESTON
Postcode
PR1 0LD
Post Town
Preston
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD4 Lancashire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD45 Mid Lancashire
Delivery Location
TLD4 Lancashire
Local Authority
Preston
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Preston

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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