Award

Discharge to Assess (D2A) beds contract for Ipswich & East.

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

20 May 2026 at 09:26

Award

15 May 2026 at 12:38

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "Discharge to Assess (D2A) beds contract for Ipswich & East" was conducted by Suffolk County Council, a public authority in the United Kingdom. The contract relates to the health and social work services industry, with a specific focus on bed-based nursing services to facilitate swift discharge of medically optimised customers. This contract, awarded directly to Athena Care Homes (UK) Limited, commences on 8th August 2026 and spans three years with options for two additional one-year extensions, potentially extending to 7th August 2031. Located in Ipswich, the tender has moved past the award stage, with the contract award notice published on 20th May 2026.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for SMEs within the health and social care sectors, aiming to partner with public authorities to deliver essential services. The direct award due to the absence of viable alternatives underscores the potential for businesses capable of providing superior service and fulfilling governmental criteria. Firms adept in health services and capable of delivering within specified budgets and timelines could greatly benefit from such contracts, enhancing their market presence and contributing to the public welfare by ensuring continuity and quality of care.

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Notice Title

Discharge to Assess (D2A) beds contract for Ipswich & East.

Notice Description

The provision of bed based nursing services commissioned by Suffolk County Council in Partnership with (Athena Care Homes UK Limited) to provide a swift discharge of medically optimised customers from the acute as part of the Discharge to Assess model. This will be a 3 year contract with optional extension periods of 1 year + 1 year.

Procurement Information

This is required due to the absence of viable market alternatives, the need to maintain service continuity in order to effectively discharge our statutory duties and the significant financial benefit offered by the only provider capable of meeting the full specification and budget envelope following market engagement.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069a06
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046156-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£7,590,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 May 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 May 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
7 Aug 2026 - 7 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SUFFOLK 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
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Post Town
Ipswich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ATHENA CARE HOMES (UK

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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