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Development of an Autism Strategy

Middlesbrough Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

08 Sep 2026 at 18:40

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

30 Jul 2026 at 14:49

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Middlesbrough Council and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council commissioned the development of a comprehensive, evidence-based Autism Strategy. This is a specialist consultancy and research service focused on autism, with relevance to health and social care planning. The work is intended for the councils and their communities in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland. The procurement was classified under research and development, business consultancy, and health and social work services. The appointed supplier, Harley Mental Health Ltd, is a London-based small voluntary, community or social enterprise. The requirement would suit organisations able to combine autism expertise with structured research, consultation and strategy development for public-sector health and care services. The work is delivered in the North East of England, with the wider procurement covering UK delivery locations.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded following a below-threshold open competition under the light-touch regime. One lot was evaluated on quality weighted at 60% and price at 40%. The submission deadline was 17 August 2026 at 12:00. Sixteen bids were received, including 16 from SMEs and 16 from voluntary, community or social enterprises. Harley Mental Health Ltd was awarded the contract on 8 September 2026. The tender value was £50,000 gross, while the award value is £50,000 excluding VAT and £60,000 including VAT. The awarded contract period runs from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, with signature scheduled for 1 October 2026. Middlesbrough Council is the buyer, acting with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.

This award provides a clear benchmark for suppliers targeting future autism strategy work with these councils. A credible competitor would need to demonstrate the ability to produce an evidence-based strategy, undertake robust research and consultancy, and apply findings to health and social care services. The requirement was suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises, and all 16 final-stage bidders were recorded in both categories, indicating that smaller and mission-led organisations can compete for this type of work. Relevant experience should include autism policy or service development, evidence gathering, stakeholder engagement and translating research into practical recommendations for local authorities. Organisations combining specialist mental-health or autism knowledge with disciplined strategy, analysis and public-sector delivery would be well placed.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Development of an Autism Strategy

Notice Description

Middlesbrough Council and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council are seeking bids to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based Autism Strategy.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d7ce
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085136-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20264 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
17 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Sep 20264 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Middlesbrough Council
Additional Buyers

Redcar & Cleveland Borough 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
MIDDLESBROUGH
Postcode
TS1 9FT
Postcode Area
Cleveland
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC32 South Teesside
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Middlesbrough
Electoral Ward
Newport
Westminster Constituency
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

HARLEY MENTAL HEALTH LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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