--- title: "Soft Market Test - Repairs and Maintenance Framework - Bidders Day Invite 23/7/26" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0502e6" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0502e6" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0502e6.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0502e6.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "ASPIRE HOUSING" published: "2026-06-24" --- # Soft Market Test - Repairs and Maintenance Framework - Bidders Day Invite 23/7/26 Buyer: ASPIRE HOUSING Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0502e6 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0502e6) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0502e6.json) ## Summary Aspire Housing is currently in the planning stage for a significant procurement process entitled "Soft Market Test - Repairs and Maintenance Framework - Bidders Day Invite 23/7/26." This tender is concerned with the works industry category, focusing on repair and maintenance services. Aspire Housing, a public authority located in Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK, has initiated a soft market test as part of its tender process, allowing contractors and stakeholders to express interest and provide input on the service model. Key dates include a deadline for the completion of the Soft Market Test Questionnaire by 10th July 2026, and a Bidder's Day on 23rd July 2026 to further explain the requirements. The procurement method involves establishing a framework agreement, and the contract period is planned to start on 1st February 2027, concluding on 31st January 2033. This tender presents promising opportunities for businesses that specialise in reactive repair and maintenance services, especially those able to accommodate increased demand during the peak period from December to April. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are well-suited to participate, as the framework is designed with their engagement in mind. The framework will involve delivering responsive repairs, voids, planned works, grounds maintenance, and mould remediation services, relying heavily on subcontractors to support Aspire Housing’s existing direct labour organisation. Business growth can be achieved through participation in this framework by capitalising on the high volume of work and targeting efficiency in service delivery. Those with experience in quick turnaround projects and capacity for scaling resources in response to demand fluctuations will find this opportunity particularly attractive. ## Notice Aspire Housing is looking to create a repairs and maintenance framework. Aspire would like to undertake a soft market test. This gives potential contractors and other stakeholders the opportunity to express their interests and feed in their views about the potential service model. Aspire will use the information to appraise options and further develop the specification/tender pack. Aspire housing has a DLO off circa 130 operatives, delivering responsive repairs, voids, planned works, grounds maintenance and damp and Mould works. Our first point of call is to deliver works using the DLO however due to volume of work, we rely heavily on sub-contractors. Hence the need for this Repair & Maintenance framework. The works are predominantly reactive, and our busiest time is December - April as we approach year end to ensure we are hitting our job target dates, which usually means a quick turnaround. Please complete and return the Soft Market Test Questionnaire by 10/07/2026 and return via In-Tend Portal - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aspirehousing/aspx/Home ### Planning Information Please complete and return the Soft Market Test Questionnaire by 10/07/2026 and return via In-Tend Portal - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aspirehousing/aspx/Home Aspire will be hosting a bidder's day on Thursday 23rd July 2026 at 10am at our head office: Aspire Housing, Kingsley, The Brampton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST50QW. The bidder's day will be from 10am – 11.30am and the purpose of the meeting is to explain the requirement; tender process and answer any questions bidders may have about the procurement. A copy of the presentation and a full Q&A log will be shared via the portal clarifications after the bidder’s day for anyone unable to attend. Attendance is optional, and all bidders will have access to the same information through the portal even if they do not participate in the event. If you are able to attend, please confirm the names of those who will be present. Due to limited parking, we ask that each organisation sends no more than two attendees. If numbers approach capacity, we may need to restrict attendance to one representative per organisation. Our auditorium can accommodate a maximum of 50 people. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059617-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Works | | 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 | 24 Jun 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 7 Sep 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2033 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ASPIRE HOUSING | | Locality | NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME | | Post town | Stoke-on-Trent | | Postcode | ST5 0QW | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire | | ITL 3 | TLG24 Staffordshire CC | | Local authority | Newcastle-under-Lyme | | Electoral ward | May Bank | | Westminster constituency | Newcastle-under-Lyme | | Delivery location | TLG23 Stoke-on-Trent | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 45 - Construction work - 50 - Repair and maintenance services ### Codes - 45453100 - Refurbishment work - 50000000 - Repair and maintenance services ## Release History - 24 Jun 2026 at 16:43 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059617-2026 - 14 Apr 2025 at 17:38 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015104-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059617-2026 24th June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015104-2025 14th April 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aspirehousing/aspx/Home - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-h6vhtk-0502e6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0502e6.json.