--- title: "Prior Information Notice: 409 - Welfare and Debt Advice & Information Service" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-7ed0eb07-11d9-485d-b2a3-cdf8dd0f6436" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7ed0eb07-11d9-485d-b2a3-cdf8dd0f6436" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7ed0eb07-11d9-485d-b2a3-cdf8dd0f6436.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7ed0eb07-11d9-485d-b2a3-cdf8dd0f6436.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "WIGAN COUNCIL" published: "2023-07-21" --- # Prior Information Notice: 409 - Welfare and Debt Advice & Information Service Buyer: WIGAN COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-7ed0eb07-11d9-485d-b2a3-cdf8dd0f6436 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7ed0eb07-11d9-485d-b2a3-cdf8dd0f6436) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7ed0eb07-11d9-485d-b2a3-cdf8dd0f6436.json) ## Summary The procurement process is currently in the planning stage. Wigan Council has issued a Prior Information Notice titled "409 - Welfare and Debt Advice & Information Service". The council seeks to establish a contract for welfare benefit, information, and debt advice services within England, United Kingdom. The anticipated service commencement date is 1st April 2024, with a deadline for expressions of interest set for 18th August 2023. The contract value is £450,000, and the procurement method specified is a soft market testing exercise. This tender by Wigan Council presents an opportunity for SMEs and VCSEs specializing in financial and insurance services to compete for a contract aimed at providing welfare and debt advice services. Businesses offering expertise in benefits, debt, employment, health and social care, housing, and immigration are well-suited to address the council's Deal 2030 priorities and support residents in navigating financial challenges. The contract duration spans 3 years, potentially extending to 5 years, aligning with the council's objectives of maximising income, reducing debt, and improving accessibility to essential support services. ## Notice Wigan Council wishes to establish a contract for the provision of welfare benefit, information and debt advice services across the borough. The contract will be for a period of 3 years with potential 12-month contract extensions. Therefore, potentially a 5-year contract term (if extension clause exercised). The service will commence on 1st April 2024 and the successful bidder will be required to provide advice and support to residents aimed at maximising income and reducing debt and homelessness. The services should be easily accessible across the borough and deliver positive outcomes including increased income for the council and a reduction in demand for public services. The service is required to support our Deal 2030 priorities and address issues linked to the cost-of-living crisis and any future economic challenges. It should provide independent and impartial advice that is efficient and effective in preventing and reducing the problems faced by residents in relation to, but not limited to: * benefits * debt * employment * health and social care * housing * immigration Please note, this is a soft market testing exercise and the deadline for expressions of interest in this opportunity is 12pm on Friday 18th August 2023. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1dac8e5e-0ee9-4e6d-a083-0c7afbbcec16 | | Notice type | Planned Procurement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 21 Jul 2023 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 4 Aug 2023 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2024 - 31 Mar 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £450,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | WIGAN COUNCIL | | Locality | WIGAN | | Post town | Wigan | | Postcode | WN1 1YN | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester | | ITL 3 | TLD36 Greater Manchester North West | | Local authority | Wigan | | Electoral ward | Wigan Central | | Westminster constituency | Wigan | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 66 - Financial and insurance services ### Codes - 66000000 - Financial and insurance services ## Release History - 21 Jul 2023 at 12:01 - Planning - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1dac8e5e-0ee9-4e6d-a083-0c7afbbcec16 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1dac8e5e-0ee9-4e6d-a083-0c7afbbcec16 21st July 2023 - Future opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - http://www.wigan.gov.uk/ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7ed0eb07-11d9-485d-b2a3-cdf8dd0f6436. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7ed0eb07-11d9-485d-b2a3-cdf8dd0f6436.json.