--- title: "001706 Employee Assistance Programme (Telephone)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05033b" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05033b" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05033b.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05033b.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2025-04-30" --- # 001706 Employee Assistance Programme (Telephone) Buyer: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05033b [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05033b) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05033b.json) ## Summary Durham County Council is inviting tenders for the provision of a telephone-based Employee Assistance Programme, a service active since 2006. The programme includes 24/7 advisory and counselling services available to employees of Durham County Council, as well as contracted public sector organisations such as town councils and schools. This tender is at the "tenderUpdate" stage, with the deadline for submissions by 16th May 2025. The Council seeks a single specialist provider for this below-threshold, open competition procurement in the services category, for a contract starting on 1st August 2025. The procurement is supported by a budget that has been revised to £28,000 annually, accommodating services such as a Critical Incident Stress/Trauma Response Service, although this particular service has yet to be utilised. Prospective suppliers had until 30th April 2025 to submit enquiries, with the clarification period now extended to 7th May 2025. This tender represents a lucrative opportunity for businesses specialising in guidance and counselling services, particularly those adept at providing confidential telephone support and online advice. The scope for renewal with two potential 12-month extensions enhances its attractiveness to small and medium-sized enterprises. Primarily, businesses with expertise in managing continuous, confidential support services and experience in public sector collaborations will find this contract well-suited to their capabilities. The tender process prioritises technical proficiency, emphasising an 80% technical to 20% price weighting in the award criteria, favouring suppliers with robust service delivery models and proven efficacy in their field. ## Notice This Invitation to Bid is for the provision of a telephone based Employee Assistance Programme with includes a 24 hour, 365 days per year telephone advisory and counselling service for all Durham County Council employees, academy schools/colleges and other public sector organisations including town councils contracted to Durham County Council Occupational Health Services (including support for managers), elected members and care leavers in respect of any personal or emotional matter whether work or non-work related as specified in this and related documents. Similar services have been available since 2006. Additionally, the Council is also seeking a Critical Incident stress/trauma Response Service on an 'as needed basis' which has also been in place since 2006, although to date this has not been utilised. Durham County Council are looking for a single specialist provider who can deliver this service. The following key elements are required of the telephone-based Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential Telephone support, advice and counselling Online employee and manager advice Launch of Service Critical Incident Stress Response Service ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: 2 x 12 months extensions are available subject to performance, funding and commissioner approval. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018006-2025 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 30 Apr 2025 | | Submission deadline | 16 May 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £112,000 | | Lots value | £112,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | DURHAM | | Post town | Durham | | Postcode | DH1 5WB | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear | | ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham | | Local authority | County Durham | | Electoral ward | Framwellgate and Newton Hall | | Westminster constituency | City of Durham | | Delivery location | TLC14 Durham | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services - 85312310 - Guidance services - 85312320 - Counselling services ## Release History - 30 Apr 2025 at 12:37 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018006-2025 - 15 Apr 2025 at 12:59 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015253-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018006-2025 30th April 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015253-2025 15th April 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - 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-05033b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05033b.json.