--- title: "DHSC: Request for Information Fair Pay Agreement: Negotiation and sector support" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05da18" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05da18" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05da18.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05da18.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE" published: "2025-11-04" --- # DHSC: Request for Information Fair Pay Agreement: Negotiation and sector support Buyer: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05da18 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05da18) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05da18.json) ## Summary The Department of Health & Social Care is inviting expressions of interest for a procurement process titled "DHSC: Request for Information Fair Pay Agreement: Negotiation and sector support," under the services category. This initiative is focused on the adult social care sector, aiming for a Fair Pay Agreement by 2028. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with upcoming activities including a webinar on 26th November 2025 for potential suppliers. Interested organisations must register by 17th November 2025. The procurement is planned to start in the financial year 2026/27, with a budget of £250,000 and a potential extension to £300,000 for eligible enterprises, including SMEs and VCSEs, located within the United Kingdom. This procurement opportunity offers significant potential for business growth, particularly for organisations experienced in community, social, and personal services. Participation could be advantageous for businesses looking to engage in collective bargaining preparation for the adult social care sector. The focus on negotiation support and sector readiness aligns well with enterprises aiming to expand their influence and operational capacity within public sector frameworks. SMEs and VCSEs with expertise in social care services, negotiation support, and professional development are particularly well-suited to contribute to and benefit from this opportunity. ## Notice The Department of Health and Social Care is seeking information on your views regarding a 'Negotiation Support Fund' for the Adult Social Care Fair Pay Agreement that is due to be delivered during the 2026/27 financial year. The aim of the Request for Information (RFI) is to explore your views on a proposed negotiation support fund offer. Responses will help to shape the specification for potential competitive tender as per the applicable procurement regulations and build a tailored offer. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute an Invitation to Tender (ITT) or a promise to issue an ITT in the future. This RFI does not commit the Authority to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Background: The government is committed to transforming adult social care and supporting adult social care workers, turning the page on decades of low pay and insecurity. That is why we plan to introduce the first ever Fair Pay Agreement in 2028, backed by PS500m funding to improve pay and conditions for the adult social care workforce. The Employment Rights Bill establishes a framework for Fair Pay Agreements, through which an agreement for the adult social care sector can be negotiated. Following public consultation, we expect regulations establishing the Negotiating Body will be laid in 2026 and negotiations will be held in 2027. Negotiations between employee and employer representatives will shape how the funding will be used to enhance pay, terms and conditions, as well as other matters, such as training and professional development. There is currently no single body that is representative of all ASC employers. Further, because FPAs are new to the sector, experience of collective bargaining at national level (both for employer and employee representatives) in this sector is limited. Accordingly, any potential representative body will need to adapt and upskill in order to be ready to begin effective, sector-wide negotiations which are due to commence in 2027-28. Therefore, the Authority is considering providing funding to support organisations who may be participating in or supporting the collective bargaining process, for one year preceding the first ASC FPA negotiations only, to sufficiently upskill, organise and prepare them for negotiations. The contract would be awarded for one year only in 2026-27. Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) are eligible to apply for this RFI, if they have the relevant experience. Responses are due no later than Friday 21st November 2025 at 16:00 and shall be submitted via the Atamis e-sourcing portal. All the interested suppliers should register at: health.atamis.co.uk to apply for the opportunity. For any Atamis queries, email to: support-health@atamis.co.uk or via Helpdesk Phone: 0800 9956035. ### Planning Information If there is sufficient interest, we will be hosting a webinar for potential suppliers on Wednesday 26th November at 11:30-12:30. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and provide verbal feedback. To register and help us confirm the event, please email Georgia.Cohen@dhsc.gov.uk or Katie.Weeks@dhsc.gov.uk by Monday 17th November 2025 at 16:00. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070925-2025 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | 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 | 4 Nov 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 9 Feb 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £250,000 | | 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 | DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1H 0EU | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 98 - Other community, social and personal services ### Codes - 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services ## Release History - 4 Nov 2025 at 15:26 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070925-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070925-2025 4th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care - 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-05da18. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05da18.json.