---
title: "What 'Outstanding' looks like"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-cdc08d84-11a9-4462-aca4-b2a31e62a65c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-cdc08d84-11a9-4462-aca4-b2a31e62a65c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cdc08d84-11a9-4462-aca4-b2a31e62a65c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cdc08d84-11a9-4462-aca4-b2a31e62a65c.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CARE QUALITY COMMISSION"
published: "2025-03-23"
---

# What 'Outstanding' looks like

Buyer: CARE QUALITY COMMISSION  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-cdc08d84-11a9-4462-aca4-b2a31e62a65c

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## Summary

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has completed the procurement process titled "What 'Outstanding' looks like" within the social research services industry category. The objective is to improve the understanding of what constitutes 'outstanding' in health and social care providers. The procurement was carried out through the CQC Research and Evaluation Framework Lot 1 via the Direct Award process. The total awarded value is £108,160 GBP, allocated to The King's Fund. The contract, which covers services to be delivered in England, commenced on 10th March 2025 and will continue until 15th November 2025, with a possible extension of up to three months. Further information can be found in the awarded contract notice published on 23rd March 2025.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses capable of providing specialised research and evaluation services within the health and social care sectors. Companies with expertise in social research, particularly those familiar with defining quality standards in healthcare, will be well-positioned to benefit from similar future tenders. Though not specifically aimed at SMEs or VCSEs, businesses in these categories with robust capabilities in health services research should consider positioning themselves for future engagements with CQC or similar organisations.

## Notice

This is a Contract Award Notice The Care Quality Commission (CQC) require the services of a 3rd party to Improve our understanding of what 'outstanding' looks like in health and social care providers by providing a set of principles about what makes something 'outstanding'. This needs to be at a level that is specific enough for practical application for CQC operational colleagues and its regulated providers. This research also needs to explore applicability of the principles of outstanding to Local Authorities. This procurement was undertaken through the CQC Research and Evaluation Framework Lot 1 - Research Partner following the Direct Award process. The Contract is awarded for an initial period of 5 months with an option to extend for up to 3 months. Total Awarded Value is maximum of all charges including any optional contract extensions. Contract Reference: CQC EP&S 097

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e686a7c3-6a80-45e7-9573-4361b40a8a71 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Mar 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 5 Mar 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 17 Mar 2025 |
| Contract period | 10 Mar 2025 - 15 Nov 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £108,160 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £108,160 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CARE QUALITY COMMISSION |
| Locality | NEWCASTLE |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE1 4PA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Monument |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| 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) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | THE KING'S FUND |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services
- 79315000 - Social research services

## Release History

- 23 Mar 2025 at 08:17 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e686a7c3-6a80-45e7-9573-4361b40a8a71

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e686a7c3-6a80-45e7-9573-4361b40a8a71
  23rd March 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/4e5925e6-b147-4b26-a324-37349f34744a
  CQC EP&S 097 Attachment 03 - Appendix B - FINAL Award Form DIRECT AWARD.v.1.0 REDACTED

## Provenance

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