This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

24 Jun 2026 at 15:05

PlanningUpdate

28 May 2026 at 09:35

Planning

22 May 2026 at 15:08

Summary of the contracting process

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is conducting an open procurement process to find providers for the Restricted Eligibility Support Service (RESS), which aims to support migrants at risk of homelessness across Greater Manchester. The procurement is currently at the tender stage, with a deadline for submissions set for 22nd July 2026. The initiative is a key component of the Greater Manchester Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2021-2026 and focusses on two lots: Immigration and Legal Advice, and Specialist Floating Support. The services to be provided fall under the health and social work services and legal services categories. The total estimated value for both lots is approximately £1,556,952.71, and the contracting period is from September 2026 to March 2029. This procurement is above threshold and part of a light-touch regime, located in the UKD region, United Kingdom.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in legal, social work, or related health services. Notably, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, allowing for a diverse array of potential partnerships. Engaging in this procurement process could facilitate business growth through direct involvement with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, as well as collaborations with local authorities and the Home Office. The RESS programme seeks to improve immigration advice accessibility, reduce homelessness risk, and encourage referral pathway enhancements, making it ideal for organisations experienced in providing culturally competent and trauma-informed support services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

GMCA 1981 - Restricted Eligibility Support Service

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.

Lot Information

Immigration and Legal Advice

4.5. Provider(s) will deliver immigration advice, other legal advice and casework to support people with restricted eligibility to regularise their status, gain access to welfare benefits and/or asylum support and/or voluntarily return to their country of origin, in order to prevent and/or support move-on from homelessness. Provider(s) will work collaboratively in partnership with Lot 2 Provider(s) to deliver a holistic, joined-up casework and support offer for the client, ensuring regular communication and prioritising face-to-face meetings where feasible. Provider(s) will maximise use of the Home Office Homelessness Escalation Service (HES), working closely and proactively with the HES team to support efficient, quality decision-making and foster strategic partnership. Provider(s) will also work, where appropriate and with consent, with the Home Office Voluntary Returns Service (VRS) so that where leaving the UK is a person's best option, they are supported to do so.

Specialist Floating Support

4.6. Provider(s) will deliver an integrated and flexible floating support service, in collaboration with Provider(s) in Lot 1, that helps people with restricted eligibility to progress their cases (by supporting the collection of evidence or appointment attendance), access accommodation, overcome practical barriers including financial, and gain access to other specialist support they might need to stabilise and live well. This support offer should include proactive working with referring organisations, where possible, to ensure that support is not duplicated and that referring workers are empowered to provide the support that is needed, including ABEN workers, Rough Sleeping Navigators and Enhanced Live Well workers. It will also include open conversations regarding Voluntary Return, where appropriate and in close partnership with Lot 1 Provider(s).

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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a20d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059566-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,297,460 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,297,459 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
22 Jul 20266 days to go
Future Notice Date
15 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
13 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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), TLD North West (England)

Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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