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CBC-2138-RFI-SK ( Request for Information) Social Isolation and Loneliness)

Central Bedfordshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

08 Sep 2026 at 09:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Central Bedfordshire Council is exploring a future Social Isolation and Loneliness Service for adults experiencing loneliness, social isolation or reduced engagement with their communities. The service is expected to provide outreach, befriending, signposting, wellbeing activities and other community-based interventions. Its aims are to improve social connectedness and wellbeing, increase access to local support and services, and help people live independently in their communities. This is a community and social care service, covering social work, welfare, guidance and counselling, and community health activity. Delivery will take place within the council’s area of Central Bedfordshire, through local, community-based interventions rather than residential provision. The requirement is classified as a light-touch service and is relevant to organisations delivering adult wellbeing, prevention, inclusion or community support services.

The process is at the planning stage. The council is conducting a voluntary request for information to understand the market, potential delivery models, supplier capability and innovation; it is not an invitation to tender or a formal evaluation. Interested organisations are expected to submit the RFI questionnaire by 25 September 2026, with responses informing future procurement options. The council’s indicative date for the next notice is 1 November 2026. The planned service period is 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028, with the possibility of renewal or extension to 1 April 2029. The requirement is structured as one planned lot. The future procurement is intended to be suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

This will suit organisations with practical experience supporting adults who are lonely, socially isolated or less connected to their communities. Relevant capability includes outreach and engagement, befriending, community development, wellbeing activities, guidance, counselling, social prescribing or signposting to local services. Providers should be able to design and deliver interventions in community settings, build trusted relationships with individuals and community groups, and support people to live independently. Experience of working with local health, social care, voluntary-sector and community networks is likely to be valuable, as is the ability to demonstrate improved wellbeing, social connection and access to support. The council is specifically seeking market insight, alternative delivery models and innovation at this stage, so established providers, smaller specialist organisations and VCSE organisations may wish to prepare their service models and evidence of impact.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

CBC-2138-RFI-SK ( Request for Information) Social Isolation and Loneliness)

Notice Description

Central Bedfordshire Council is undertaking a Request for Information (RFI) to inform the future commissioning of a Social Isolation and Loneliness Service. The purpose of this RFI is to engage with the market, gather information on potential service delivery models, and understand supplier capability and innovation. The proposed service will support adults experiencing loneliness, social isolation, or reduced community engagement through outreach, befriending, signposting, wellbeing activities, and community-based interventions. The service aims to improve social connectedness, enhance wellbeing, increase access to local support and services, and enable individuals to live independently within their communities. This RFI does not constitute a call for competition and is intended solely to inform future procurement activity.

Planning Information

Interested organisations are invited to complete and submit the RFI questionnaire via the In-Tend portal by the stated deadline. Responses will be used to inform the Council's understanding of the market and potential future procurement options. Participation is voluntary and does not form part of any formal procurement or evaluation process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f42e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084715-2026
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85310000 - Social work services

85311100 - Welfare services for the elderly

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

85312400 - Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions

85323000 - Community health services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Nov 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Central Bedfordshire 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
SHEFFORD
Postcode
SG17 5TQ
Postcode Area
Stevenage
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH25 Central Bedfordshire
Delivery Location
TLH25 Central Bedfordshire
Local Authority
Central Bedfordshire
Electoral Ward
Shefford
Westminster Constituency
Hitchin

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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