This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Aug 2026 at 15:06

Summary of the contracting process

Staffordshire County Council intends to commission a research provider to assess the effectiveness of health visiting services for Staffordshire residents aged 0–19 years. The work will be a retrospective cohort study examining outcomes for a representative sample of more than 8,000 babies born in 2021/22 whose parents accessed health visiting services. It is a research consultancy service (CPV 73210000), delivered for Staffordshire residents. The study will require access to relevant intelligence and coordination with the organisations holding that data. The council is developing the research specification through pre-market engagement, so the eventual scope may be shaped by discussions with potential providers. The procurement covers one planned service package, rather than separate identified workstreams.

This procurement is at the planning stage: Staffordshire County Council has stated an intention to procure, but has not issued an invitation to tender. The council expects the procurement to take place in the new academic year, with the contract expected to start on 4 January 2027 and run until 31 March 2028. The process is currently focused on preliminary market engagement to shape the research specification. Interested organisations are invited to discuss the requirement with the council by 11 September 2026. The council has said that further details, funding and timescales will be determined after this engagement. The planned service is below the relevant threshold, and the procurement is not yet presented as a bid-ready competition.

The work is likely to suit research consultancies, universities and public-sector evaluation specialists with experience of retrospective cohort studies, health visiting, early-years services or population health. Strong candidates will need to design or refine a robust study using a representative sample, analyse outcomes and translate findings into an assessment of service effectiveness. The council has specifically highlighted the need to navigate research ethics and data protection requirements to access relevant intelligence, so expertise in information governance, secure handling of sensitive data and ethical approvals will be important. Providers that can work with health, local-government and academic stakeholders, define a practical research specification and manage complex linked or administrative data should prepare to contribute during engagement and compete when the procurement reaches the market.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Health Visiting Services 0-19 years Cohort Study

Notice Description

Staffordshire County Council are looking to commission a research provider to undertake a retrospective cohort study to determine the effectiveness of the health visiting services provided to Staffordshire residents. The study will look at the outcomes of a representative sample of the 8000+ babies born in 2021/22 who's parents have accessed health visiting services. The provider will need to navigate ethics and data protection requirements in order to access relevant intelligence. The procurement is expected to take place in the new academic year, with the contract commencing in January 2027. Further details, funding, and timescales are yet to be determined based on findings of this pre-market engagement. If you are interested in discussing this opportunity further, then we would like to hear from you as we shape the research specification. Please contact Ruth.Blunn-Jennings@staffordshire.gov.uk or lucy.hegarty@staffordshire.gov.uk before 11th September 2026

Planning Information

If you are interested in discussing this opportunity further, then we would like to hear from you as we shape the research specification. Please contact Ruth.Blunn-Jennings@staffordshire.gov.uk or lucy.hegarty@staffordshire.gov.uk

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e2d3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076872-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73210000 - Research consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Sep 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Staffordshire 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
STAFFORD
Postcode
ST16 2DH
Postcode Area
Stoke-on-Trent
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG24 Staffordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLG24 Staffordshire CC

Local Authority
Stafford
Electoral Ward
Forebridge
Westminster Constituency
Stafford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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