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25096 Cambridgeshire County Council - Crisis Payment Scheme

CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

03 Aug 2026 at 18:46

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

16 Jun 2026 at 12:40

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cambridgeshire County Council is inviting tenders for the "Crisis Payment Scheme," aimed at supporting households facing immediate financial hardship in the county. The scheme, which will replace the existing Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme, is part of an initiative to address the cost-of-living crisis by providing financial vouchers or cash payments. This procurement, classified under health and social work services, falls within the UKH12 region and is currently at the tender stage. The tender process follows an open procedure, allowing businesses to submit electronically in English. The deadline for submitting tenders is 2nd September 2026, with the contract expected to start on 1st November 2026 and run potentially until 2030, subject to a possible one-year extension.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses in the service sector, particularly those specialising in social welfare and financial support services. Organisations ideally suited for this project include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) that possess the capability to provide timely, effective, and resilient financial aid. With a budget of over £3.4 million for service provision, companies with expertise in financial crisis management and support systems can find this an appealing opportunity to expand their services and establish long-term engagement with local government operations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

25096 Cambridgeshire County Council - Crisis Payment Scheme

Notice Description

In 2021, the Household Support Fund (HSF) was established to provide a short-term boost to funding and mitigate the cost-of-living crisis. In Cambridgeshire this money was used to support households experiencing immediate financial hardship, through the provision of financial vouchers or cash payments to help cover the cost of household energy bills and food. In the year from April 2024-March 2025, more than PS3.6 million was spent on free school meal holiday provisions, whilst more than PS500,000 was split between Citizens Advice Bureau, Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme, and Cambridgeshire ACRE. The Crisis Payment Scheme will replace the Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS) as the primary route for financial crisis support in the county. The CLAS scheme ended on 31st March and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has been contracted on an interim basis (1st April - 30th September 2026) to provide support before the new CRF crisis payment scheme is fully launched on 1st October 2026. This interim support includes providing one-off cash grants or vouchers, in-kind support to address immediate crises; and information, advice and guidance to improve the resilience and financial stability of service users.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There is an option for 1 x 12 month extension is both parties agree.

Planning Information

Please go to our website to express you interest and access the market engagement documents which contain a questionnaire and instructions on how to respond. https://procontract.due-north.com/Supplier/Advert/View?advertId=3345f660-7769-f111-813c-005056b64545&fromProjectDashboard=False&fromRfxSummary=False&selectWorkgroup=False&fromAdvertEvent=False&fromActivityDashboard=False

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b5ef
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073412-2026
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,400,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,400,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
2 Sep 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
25 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
2028-10-01

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CAMBRIDGESHIRE 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
ALCONBURY WEALD, HUNTINGDON
Postcode
PE28 4YE
Post Town
Peterborough
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH4 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH42 Cambridgeshire CC
Delivery Location
TLH1 East Anglia, TLH12 Cambridgeshire CC
Local Authority
Huntingdonshire
Electoral Ward
The Stukeleys
Westminster Constituency
Huntingdon

Further Information

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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