Planning

Restricted Eligibility Support Service (RESS)

GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 May 2026 at 15:08

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is undertaking a planning phase for its upcoming procurement of the Restricted Eligibility Support Service (RESS). This initiative, crucial for advancing the Greater Manchester Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2021-2026, aims to support migrants at risk of homelessness. The procurement process, currently at the Planning stage, involves a preliminary market engagement session on 4th June 2026. This service will be divided into two lots: Immigration and Legal Advice and Specialist Floating Support, with a total estimated contract value of approximately £1.6 million. The procurement applies to the region of Greater Manchester and is classified under the Social Work and Related Services category.

This tender presents expansive opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) to engage in a meaningful initiative aimed at reducing homelessness in Greater Manchester. Providers with expertise in immigration law, legal advice, or social services stand to benefit significantly. Additionally, businesses that foster strong partnerships with local authorities and the Home Office, or those capable of offering trauma-informed, culturally competent support are ideally suited for this opportunity. Successful involvement can establish long-term business growth through collaboration with government entities and contribute to impactful social change.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Restricted Eligibility Support Service (RESS)

Notice Description

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is procuring the next phase of the Restricted Eligibility Support Service (RESS), supporting migrants experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Greater Manchester. The service supports delivery of the Greater Manchester Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2021-2026 and aims to improve outcomes for people with restricted eligibility for public funds, including those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and unresolved immigration status who are disproportionately represented among people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping in Greater Manchester The opportunity will be split into two lots: Lot 1 - Immigration and Legal Advice (Estimated Total value PS649,371.64 Sept 26-Mar 29) Provider(s) will deliver specialist immigration and legal advice and casework to help individuals regularise immigration status, access welfare benefits or asylum support, prevent homelessness, and support move-on from emergency accommodation. The service will work closely with the Home Office, Local Authorities and Lot 2 providers to deliver coordinated, person-centred support. Lot 2 - Specialist Floating Support (Estimated Total value PS648,088.95 Sept 26 - Mar 29) Provider(s) will deliver flexible floating support to help individuals engage with legal processes, access accommodation and wider services, overcome practical barriers, and progress towards independence. The service will work with the Lot 1 provider and lead on coordinating referrals, partnership working and peer support across Greater Manchester. Across both lots, the programme aims to prevent rough sleeping, reduce pressure on homelessness services, strengthen partnership responses, and deliver trauma-informed, culturally competent support. Expected outcomes include improved access to immigration advice, increased recourse to public funds, reduced homelessness risk, and stronger referral pathways across Greater Manchester.

Planning Information

GMCA will host an online pre-market engagement session on Thursday 4th June, 9.30am-10.30am. If further in person or on online events are needed during the PME period, a notification will be shared through the Chest. Expressions of interest to participate in this event (Name Surname, Position in the company and e-mail address of participants), should be sent via the messaging section on The Chest, https://www.the-chest.org.uk Project reference - DN817132 An invitation link will be shared in due course to all service providers that will express interest to participate

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a20d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048197-2026
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

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,297,460 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 May 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Jun 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 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
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
TLC North East (England)
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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