{ "tag": [ "compiled" ], "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058a9c-2026-02-20T14:38:37Z", "date": "2026-02-20T14:38:37Z", "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058a9c", "initiationType": "tender", "parties": [ { "id": "GB-PPON-PYGR-1856-CVXM", "name": "Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PYGR-1856-CVXM" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Town Hall, King WIlliam Street", "locality": "Blackburn", "postalCode": "BB1 7DY", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKD41" }, "contactPoint": { "name": "Hollie Pearson", "email": "hollie.pearson@blackburn.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "http://www.blackburn.gov.uk", "classifications": [ { "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment", "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "description": "Public authority - sub-central government" } ] } }, { "id": "GB-PPON-PDTT-2235-MTVL", "name": "N-Compass", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PDTT-2235-MTVL" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "1 Edward VII Quay Ashton-on-Ribble", "locality": "Preston", "postalCode": "PR2 2YF", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKD45" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "tenders@n-compass.org.uk" }, "roles": [ "supplier" ], "details": { "url": "http://ncompassnorthwest.co.uk/", "scale": "sme", "vcse": false, "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false, "shelteredWorkshop": false } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PYGR-1856-CVXM", "name": "Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council" }, "planning": { "milestones": [ { "id": "engagement", "type": "engagement", "description": "Dear Providers, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is looking to procure for: Adults and Children's Advocacy Services, with scope to create an all-age Advocacy provision. You are invited to take part in a face-to-face pre-market engagement event on: Monday 8th September 2025 10am - 1pm The event location is: Town Hall Room A King William Street Blackburn BB1 7DT The total funding for this programme is: PS1,180,055 STC (three years plus an additional one + one year) If you wish to attend please let us know no later than Tuesday 26th August 2025 by completing the Microsoft Form below: https://forms.office.com/e/Pnqvj60mcy Please note that due to space available attendance is limited to two delegates per organisation. Kind Regards, Contracts and Commissioning Team", "dueDate": "2025-08-26T23:59:59+01:00", "status": "scheduled" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "049870-2025", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "noticeType": "UK2", "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049870-2025", "datePublished": "2025-08-19T14:43:41+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "tender": { "id": "DN787516", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Advocacy Services", "description": "Advocacy Services Lot 1 - All Age Advocacy Provision Lot 2 - Independent Health Complaints", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85300000", "description": "Social work and related services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKD41", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKD41", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" }, { "id": "2", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85300000", "description": "Social work and related services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKD41", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "2" } ], "value": { "amountGross": 1560000, "amount": 1300000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "specialRegime": [ "lightTouch" ], "aboveThreshold": true, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "suitability": { "sme": true, "vcse": true }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2031-03-31T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "status": "complete", "title": "All Age Advocacy Provision", "description": "Provision of Advocacy Services to All Ages", "value": { "amountGross": 1440000, "amount": 1200000, "currency": "GBP" }, "awardCriteria": { "criteria": [ { "type": "quality", "name": "Method Statements", "numbers": [ { "number": 85, "weight": "percentageExact" } ] }, { "type": "quality", "name": "Social Value", "numbers": [ { "number": 15, "weight": "percentageExact" } ] } ] }, "selectionCriteria": { "criteria": [ { "type": "economic", "description": "None" }, { "type": "technical", "description": "None" } ] }, "renewal": { "description": "Option to extend for two additional one year periods, subject to service demand. The contract price will be fixed for the initial three year period with potential uplifts in years four and five subject to budget availability and approval." } }, { "id": "2", "title": "Independent Health Complaints", "description": "Provision of Independent Complaints Advocacy for NHS Complaints", "status": "complete", "value": { "amountGross": 120000, "amount": 100000, "currency": "GBP" }, "awardCriteria": { "criteria": [ { "type": "quality", "name": "Method Statements", "numbers": [ { "number": 85, "weight": "percentageExact" } ] }, { "type": "quality", "name": "Social Value", "numbers": [ { "number": 15, "weight": "percentageExact" } ] } ] }, "selectionCriteria": { "criteria": [ { "type": "economic", "description": "None" }, { "type": "technical", "description": "None" } ] }, "suitability": { "sme": true, "vcse": true }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2031-03-31T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "Option to extend for two additional one year periods, subject to service demand. 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Political Risks Policy changes: Shifts in government priorities (e.g. funding focus, devolution, or centralisation of advocacy provision) could affect long-term sustainability or service scope. Local government restructuring: Changes in local authority boundaries or budgets may disrupt commissioning or alter responsibilities. Stakeholder alignment: Differing agendas between local authorities, NHS bodies, and third-sector partners could create conflicts in service design or funding. Public sector funding cuts: Political pressure to reduce spending could limit available budgets for advocacy services. 2. Economic Risks Budget constraints: Reduced funding for public services can lead to under-procurement, affecting service quality and capacity. Inflation and cost of living: Rising operational costs (e.g., staffing, travel, training, technology) could make delivery less viable within fixed contracts. Market instability: If few providers exist, or if smaller charities merge or close, procurement competition and resilience decrease. Value for money challenges: Balancing quality advocacy with affordability may pressure providers to reduce staff pay or training. 3. Social Risks Changing demographics: Growing elderly population, complex needs, and increasing mental health concerns across all ages could drive demand beyond capacity. Inequalities in access: Risk that certain groups (e.g., people with learning disabilities, children, ethnic minorities, rural residents) might be underserved. Public awareness: Low awareness of advocacy rights can lead to underuse or inconsistent referrals. Workforce challenges: Recruiting and retaining skilled advocates, particularly in rural or high-cost areas, may be difficult." }, "language": "en", "bids": { "statistics": [ { "id": "1", "measure": "bids", "value": 3, "relatedLot": "1" }, { "id": "2", "measure": "finalStageBids", "value": 3, "relatedLot": "1" }, { "id": "3", "measure": "smeFinalStageBids", "value": 3, "relatedLot": "1" }, { "id": "4", "measure": "vcseFinalStageBids", "value": 0, "relatedLot": "1" }, { "id": "5", "measure": "bids", "value": 5, "relatedLot": "2" }, { "id": "6", "measure": "finalStageBids", "value": 5, "relatedLot": "2" }, { "id": "7", "measure": "smeFinalStageBids", "value": 5, "relatedLot": "2" }, { "id": "8", "measure": "vcseFinalStageBids", "value": 0, "relatedLot": "2" } ] }, "awards": [ { "id": "1", "title": "LOT 1 -Provision of Advocacy Services to All Ages", "status": "active", "date": "2026-02-20T00:00:00Z", "value": { "amountGross": 1440000, "amount": 1200000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "aboveThreshold": true, "suppliers": [ { "id": "GB-PPON-PDTT-2235-MTVL", "name": "N-Compass" } ], "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85300000", "description": "Social work and related services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKD41", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2031-03-31T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "Option to extend for two additional one year periods, subject to service demand. 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