---
title: "GMCA1667.4 Greater Manchester Integrated Rehabilitation Services (GMIRS) Wellbeing Support & Integration Service"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066730"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066730"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066730.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066730.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY"
published: "2026-03-11"
---

# GMCA1667.4 Greater Manchester Integrated Rehabilitation Services (GMIRS) Wellbeing Support & Integration Service

Buyer: GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066730

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066730)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066730.json)

## Summary

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is set to award an 18-month contract to The Big Life Company Limited for the continuation of the Greater Manchester Integrated Rehabilitation Services (GMIRS) Wellbeing Support & Integration Service. This initiative, valued at approximately £5.83 million, will span from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2027, divided into a 12-month period followed by a 6-month extension. The procurement process has reached the award stage with a direct award approach under the light-touch category, aligning with the national strategy for Community Rehabilitation Services (CRS). Operated in Manchester, the service focuses on providing tailored support to individuals on probation through community spaces, enhancing emotional regulation and offering financial guidance with a potential funding confirmation from HMPSS for the service's continuity post-September 2027.

This tender presents a substantial opportunity for businesses involved in rehabilitation and social services aimed at the criminal justice sector, particularly those positioned to provide probation and well-being services. Large-scale entities with experience in operating community-based programmes could find synergy in delivering such services, leveraging established networks within Greater Manchester. The consistent performance and positive social impact demonstrated by The Big Life Company underscore the potential value proposition for relevant businesses capable of maintaining service quality and integrating seamlessly into existing systems. SMEs and VCSEs with competencies in these areas could further augment the service delivery, contributing to long-term societal benefits and growth within the rehabilitation services industry.

## Notice

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) intends to award a contract of up to PS5,831,988.69 to Big Life to support the delivery of the Greater Manchester Integrated Rehabilitation Services (GMIRS) Wellbeing Support & Integration Service over an 18-month period, commencing 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2027 (on a 12 month + 6 month basis). The funding for the initial 12-month contract period will be PS3,887,992.46. Subject to confirmation of funding, PS1,943,996.23 will be issued for the period 1 April to 30 September 2027. Big Life are the incumbent provider of the GMIRS Wellbeing Support and Integration Service which provides community spaces in Greater Manchester that provide free, tailored support to individuals on probation. Wellbeing hubs offer tailored assistance in areas such as emotional regulation, decision-making, and financial advice, focusing on individual goals and aspirations. The service aims to reduce the likelihood of future engagement with probation services by providing tools and positive relationships. The current contract for the provision of the Wellbeing Support and Integration Service (GMCA 600), was awarded following a competitive Open procurement process in 2023, during which Big Life submitted the most economically advantageous bid. The current contract will expire on 31st March 2026, and budget confirmation for GMIRS covering 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 was received from HMPSS in November 2025. A compliant procurement process is now underway to award a new Greater Manchester Rehabilitation Services (GMRS) contract starting from 1st October 2027, ensuring alignment with the national approach for CRS contracts (regionally referred to as GMRS). As this risks an 18-month gap in service provision, and a change of provider at this point would create disproportionate technical difficulties for GMCA, a Direct Award is being sought under Schedule 5 (7) of the Procurement Act 2023. Appointing a new provider at this stage would create significant incompatibilities with the existing service and impose disproportionate challenges for GMCA in mobilising and managing delivery within the limited 18-month timeframe before the long-term contract is procured. Appointing a new provider for a short term interim contract would create significant challenges, including TUPE complexities, delays in vetting and onboarding, disruption to established local networks, and risks to data and system integration. These factors would undermine service continuity and create operational difficulties that are disproportionate to the short-term nature of the contract. In addition, Big Life has demonstrated consistent, high-quality performance, operational efficiency, and positive social impact, supporting the value for money consideration of the Direct Award. The proposed approach ensures continuity of a statutory service while a fully compliant competitive procurement for the redesigned GMIRS service is scheduled for 2026, with a new long-term contract commencing October 2027.

### Procurement Information

A Direct Award is being sought under Schedule 5 (7) of the Procurement Act 2023. Appointing a new provider at this stage would create significant incompatibilities with the existing service and impose disproportionate challenges for GMCA in mobilising and managing delivery within the limited 18-month timeframe before the long-term contract is procured. This award satisfies both conditions under Schedule 5(7) of the Procurement Act 2023: a) a change in supplier would result in services that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing GMIRS Wellbeing Support & Integration Service; and b) such incompatibility would cause disproportionate technical difficulties in mobilisation, continuity of service, and compliance with statutory obligations. Appointing a new provider for a short term interim contract would create significant challenges, including TUPE complexities, delays in vetting and onboarding, disruption to established local networks, and risks to data and system integration. These factors would undermine service continuity and create operational difficulties that are disproportionate to the short-term nature of the contract.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021782-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 11 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £5,831,988 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | GREATER MANCHESTER COMBINED AUTHORITY |
| Locality | MANCHESTER |
| Post town | Manchester |
| Postcode | M1 6EU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester |
| ITL 3 | TLD33 Manchester |
| Local authority | Manchester |
| Electoral ward | Deansgate |
| Westminster constituency | Manchester Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | THE BIG LIFE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services
- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 75231200 - Services related to the detention or rehabilitation of criminals
- 75231240 - Probation services
- 85320000 - Social services

## Release History

- 11 Mar 2026 at 13:49 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021782-2026
- 11 Mar 2026 at 12:43 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021739-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021782-2026
  11th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021739-2026
  11th March 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/

## 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-066730. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066730.json.