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Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Infrastructure Contract Soft Market Test

CORNWALL COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

04 Aug 2026 at 13:11

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cornwall Council is in the planning stage of a procurement process for a "Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Infrastructure Contract Soft Market Test." This initiative falls under the industry category of services, specifically targeting other community, social and personal services, and general management consultancy services. Located in Truro, within the UKK3 region of the United Kingdom, the procurement aims to engage with potential suppliers by conducting a Soft Market Test to gauge interest and capability. The key milestone is the completion of the soft market test by 12th August 2026, with future notices expected by 24th September 2026. The contract is set to run from October 2026 to October 2029, with a gross value estimated at £480,000.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in community services and management consultancy. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSE) are particularly well-suited to compete, given the suitability criteria outlined. Engaging in this procurement process can aid business growth by allowing organisations to showcase their capability and experience, potentially leading to long-term partnerships with Cornwall Council should a formal business case be developed and approved.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Infrastructure Contract Soft Market Test

Notice Description

Cornwall Council is conducting a Soft Market Test (SMT) to gain an understanding of the potential level of interest for the delivery of a Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Infrastructure contract to run between Autumn 2026 - Autumn 2029. It is intended that the responses supplied will enable the Council to assess the capability and experience of the organisation to deliver the requirements outlined in the questionnaire. Any such proposal would be subject to the development and approval of a business case, and, as such, this exercise implies no commercial commitment. This is not a formal tender document. Further information can be found at supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk

Planning Information

Details of the soft market test questionnaire can be found at supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06db51
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073726-2026
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

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

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

79411000 - General management consultancy services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Aug 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Sep 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 1 Oct 2029 3-4 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
CORNWALL 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
TRURO
Postcode
TR1 3AY
Post Town
Truro
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK30 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Delivery Location
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Local Authority
Cornwall
Electoral Ward
Truro Boscawen & Redannick
Westminster Constituency
Truro and Falmouth

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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