---
title: "Soft Market Test for Respite Service Solutions"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05de1d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05de1d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05de1d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05de1d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL"
published: "2025-11-10"
---

# Soft Market Test for Respite Service Solutions

Buyer: SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05de1d

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05de1d)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05de1d.json)

## Summary

Sheffield City Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Soft Market Test for Respite Service Solutions" under the industry category of Health and Social Work Services. This procurement is part of the sub-central government's activities and is located in Sheffield, United Kingdom. The official milestone for this market engagement is scheduled for completion by 8th December 2025. The procurement process is in the form of a soft market test to uncover innovative respite service solutions, with an estimated contract value of £1.2 million, set to commence by 12th September 2026 and run until 11th September 2030. Interested parties should be aware that the process follows the 'light touch' procurement regime, with future notices expected on 1st April 2026.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, especially for companies specialising in health and social work services. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), are particularly well-suited to participate, given the contract's suitability criteria for these organisations. The procurement seeks innovative providers, encouraging businesses that offer fresh approaches to respite care to get involved. This engagement allows for early collaboration and exchange of ideas with the city council, providing a unique platform to influence the services. With flexibility for renewal and an expanse of opportunities over a four-year period, the tender invites dynamic companies ready for sustained contribution to public service improvement.

## Notice

Sheffield City Council's is conducting this soft market test to identify and explore innovative approaches to respite provision.

### Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=99810&B=

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072570-2025 |
| 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 | 10 Nov 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 1 Apr 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 12 Sep 2026 - 11 Sep 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,200,000 |
| 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 | SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL |
| Locality | SHEFFIELD |
| Post town | Sheffield |
| Postcode | S1 2HH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE3 South Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE32 Sheffield |
| Local authority | Sheffield |
| Electoral ward | City |
| Westminster constituency | Sheffield Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 10 Nov 2025 at 17:30 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072570-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072570-2025
  10th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://sheffield.gov.uk
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=99810&B=
- 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-05de1d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05de1d.json.