Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

TVCA-PROC-0913 - Connect to Work Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) Fidelity Assurance Consultancy Support

Tees Valley Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

14 Oct 2026 at 14:43

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Tees Valley Combined Authority is procuring specialist consultancy to support its Connect to Work programme, working with local authorities and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) delivery partners. The consultant is expected to help teams understand SEQF fidelity, apply its principles in day-to-day delivery and show consistent, high-quality practice. The work includes acting as a critical friend: reviewing local delivery models, identifying strengths and risks, and helping teams take practical steps to improve quality and outcomes. The service is consultancy and assurance support, rather than direct employment support for participants. Delivery is for local areas within the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s Connect to Work programme in England.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded on 14 October 2026 to Inclusive Trading Community Interest Company. The award value is £62,900 excluding VAT (£75,480 including VAT). The contract runs from 9 November 2026 to 8 November 2027, with an option to extend by six months, to 9 May 2028. It was a below-threshold limited competition, with one bid recorded. The procurement was a single lot. No award evaluation criteria or specific eligibility requirements are recorded in the available process details.

This award shows demand from Tees Valley Combined Authority for specialist SEQF fidelity assurance to strengthen Connect to Work delivery across local authorities and delivery partners. A credible future competitor would need demonstrable expertise in the Supported Employment Quality Framework and the ability to translate its principles into consistent operational practice. The work calls for a trusted adviser able to assess delivery models, identify both strengths and risks, build a shared understanding among local teams, and recommend practical improvements linked to service quality and outcomes. Suppliers should be able to work collaboratively with public-sector teams and delivery partners, while providing assurance grounded in the framework rather than generic consultancy. The selected provider was a community interest company, indicating that an organisation with a social-purpose structure can deliver this requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

TVCA-PROC-0913 - Connect to Work Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) Fidelity Assurance Consultancy Support

Notice Description

Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) (the 'Contacting Authority'), part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Group, intends to award a contract for a Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) Fidelity Assurance subject matter expert to work with local authorities and SEQF delivery partners to strengthen and embed fidelity aligned SEQF practice within their Connect to Work delivery. The purpose of this support is to help local authority / SEQF Delivery teams build a shared understanding of SEQF fidelity, apply it confidently in day to day delivery, and evidence high quality practice in a consistent and sustainable way. The consultant will act as a critical friend, supporting local areas to understand their current position, identify strengths and risks across their SEQF delivery model, and take practical steps to improve quality and outcomes in line with SEQF principles.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0787bb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/097086-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - limited competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£62,900 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
9 Nov 2026 - 8 Nov 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
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DARLINGTON
Postcode
DL2 1NJ
Postcode Area
Darlington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC33 Darlington
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Darlington
Electoral Ward
Sadberge & Middleton St George
Westminster Constituency
Stockton West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Inclusive Trading Community Interest Company

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.

Loading OCDS record...