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Employers: System Engagement, Inclusion and Redesign

North East Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

22 Sep 2026 at 09:33

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

01 Jul 2026 at 14:12

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

12 Jun 2026 at 13:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 May 2026 at 14:30

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The North East Combined Authority commissioned employer-focused services under “Employers: System Engagement, Inclusion and Redesign”. The work covers two strands. Employer Inclusion and Workforce Redesign (Health) supports employers to recruit, retain and support people facing health-related barriers to work, including people with health conditions or disabilities, neurodivergent people and people with women’s health needs. Employer Engagement, Aspirations and Opportunity Pathways (Youth Employment) supports employers to engage with young people, including those who are not in education, employment or training or are at risk of becoming so. The services are classified as adult and other education services and are delivered across Durham and the wider North East of England. The procurement was suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded following an accelerated open procedure. Two suppliers were selected on 14 September 2026. Durham County Council was selected for the health strand at £272,274.72 gross (£226,895.68 excluding tax), with a contract period from 2 October 2026 to 30 April 2027; its standstill period ends on 1 October 2026. The North East Chamber of Commerce was selected for the youth employment strand at £113,589.60 gross (£94,658 excluding tax), for the same contract period. The original estimated value was £400,000 gross. Evaluation weighted quality at 80% and price at 20%. The tender deadline was 13 July 2026, enquiries closed on 6 July, and the award decision period ended on 3 August. Twenty-three bids were received, including ten from SMEs and two from VCSEs.

This award shows demand from the North East Combined Authority for providers that can combine employer engagement, workforce development and practical inclusion activity. A credible future competitor would need to demonstrate the ability to work directly with employers on recruitment, retention and workplace support for people with health conditions, disabilities, neurodivergence and women’s health needs, alongside the ability to engage young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET. Relevant strengths include employer networks, inclusive employment practice, youth engagement, careers or progression support, and the capacity to deliver across Durham and the wider North East. The opportunity attracted substantial competition, including bids from SMEs and VCSEs, indicating that organisations of those types can be credible participants when they can evidence the required quality and reach.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Employers: System Engagement, Inclusion and Redesign

Notice Description

The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority is seeking to commission a contractor for Employers: System Engagement, Inclusion & Redesign. The commission is split into Lot1a Employer Inclusion & Workforce Redesign (Health) and Lot1b Employer Engagement, Aspirations & Opportunity Pathways (Youth Employment). Lot 1a will focus on supporting employers to better recruit, retain and support individuals experiencing health-related barriers to work, including people with a health condition or disability, neurodivergence and women's health needs. Lot 1b will focus on supporting employers to improve engagement with young people, including those who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET.

Planning Information

Please sign up to the Market Engagement Event using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/economic-inactivity-trailblazer-programme-market-engagement-event-tickets-1991706491732

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069a1b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089427-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80400000 - Adult and other education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£321,553 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
13 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
26 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
14 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
2 Oct 2026 - 30 Apr 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North East 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
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE4 5BZ
Postcode Area
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
TLC14 Durham, TLC2 Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Arthur's Hill
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Durham County Council

NORTH EAST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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