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CBC-2139-RFI-SK ( Request for Information) Information Advice and Guidance services).

Central Bedfordshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

08 Sep 2026 at 11:00

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Central Bedfordshire Council is exploring the future commissioning of an Information, Advice and Guidance service for Central Bedfordshire. The service is expected to provide information, guidance, counselling, welfare support and community health support, aimed at people who do not require residential care. The procurement is for services under the light-touch regime and is intended to understand how the market could deliver a joined-up support offer. Relevant providers may include organisations delivering social and welfare advice, community-based guidance, counselling, health-related support or related services. The work will be delivered in Central Bedfordshire. The council has identified one service requirement and has indicated that the future opportunity should be suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

This process is at the planning stage and is currently a voluntary Request for Information, not a formal procurement or invitation to tender. The council expects interested organisations to submit an RFI questionnaire by 25 September 2026 through its online procurement portal. Responses will inform the council’s understanding of market capability, capacity and potential future procurement options. A subsequent notice is anticipated around 1 November 2026. The planned contract period is from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029, with a possible extension to 31 March 2030 and a renewal option. The procurement has one planned lot and is being considered under the light-touch services regime. No contract value or award criteria are set at this planning stage.

This market engagement will suit providers already delivering information, advice and guidance, welfare support, counselling, community health or related social care services. Organisations should be able to explain their delivery models, available capacity and experience of supporting people in community settings, including how different advice, welfare and health functions could work together. The council is specifically seeking feedback on market capability and innovative approaches, so providers with evidence of effective service design, partnership working and adaptable delivery may be well placed to contribute. Small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises are identified as suitable participants. This is a chance to influence the future service design and commissioning approach, rather than to bid for a contract now.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

CBC-2139-RFI-SK ( Request for Information) Information Advice and Guidance services).

Notice Description

Central Bedfordshire Council is undertaking a Request for Information (RFI) to engage with the market and seek feedback from providers on the potential delivery of an Information, Advice and Guidance Service. The purpose of this exercise is to understand market capability, capacity, and innovative approaches that could inform the future design and commissioning of the service. This RFI is for information gathering purposes only and does not constitute a formal procurement process.

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-06f447
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084765-2026
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

85312000 - Social work services without accommodation

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 2029 2-3 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)

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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