---
title: "Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service - Preliminary Market Engagement"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06c881"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c881"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c881.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c881.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL"
published: "2026-07-10"
---

# Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service - Preliminary Market Engagement

Buyer: SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c881

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## Summary

The procurement process initiated by Swindon Borough Council is currently in the planning stage, focusing on a preliminary market engagement for a 'Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service'. This initiative, located in Swindon, falls under the services industry category, specifically targeting civic betterment and community facility support services, amongst others. The council is inviting contributions to shape the final service specification and aims to finalize the commercial model through gathered market feedback. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in this engagement by submitting responses to the PME questionnaire by the deadline on 27th July 2026.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses within the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector, particularly those equipped to deliver high-quality and responsive infrastructure support services. Organisations with expertise in governance support, organisational development, and community engagement will find this procurement process advantageous. Furthermore, businesses focusing on capacity building, collaboration development, and strategic voice representation in community services would be well-suited to compete. Successful contractors will work alongside Swindon Borough Council and key partners to enhance service delivery and contribute to local community priorities.

## Notice

Swindon Borough Council invites you to contribute to preliminary market engagement in relation to a Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service and welcomes the views of providers on the questions set out in the accompanying questionnaire. The purpose of this engagement is to gather feedback from the market to help shape the final service specification and commercial model, ensuring the procurement delivers a high-quality, sustainable, and responsive infrastructure support service for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

### Planning Information

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME)
Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service
Swindon Borough Council invites you to contribute to preliminary market engagement in relation to a Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service and welcomes the views of providers on the questions set out in the accompanying questionnaire.
The purpose of this engagement is to gather feedback from the market to help shape the final service specification and commercial model, ensuring the procurement delivers a high-quality, sustainable, and responsive infrastructure support service for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
Service Overview
Swindon Borough Council is seeking to commission a provider to deliver a Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service for organisations operating within Swindon.
The service will strengthen the capacity, sustainability, and effectiveness of the VCSE sector, enabling organisations to better support residents and communities and contribute to wider system priorities such as prevention, wellbeing, and reducing inequalities.
The commissioned service is expected to provide a coordinated and inclusive offer, supporting both established organisations and emerging community groups.
Core Service Components
The provider may be required to deliver the following elements:
• Information, Advice and Guidance
Supporting VCSE organisations with governance, legal structures, policies, and operational development.
• Organisational Development and Capacity Building
Providing tailored support to strengthen leadership, workforce, and organisational resilience.
• Funding and Income Generation Support
Assisting organisations to access grants, diversify income and improve financial sustainability.
• Volunteer Development and Brokerage
Supporting recruitment, retention, and good practice in volunteering.
• Partnership and Collaboration Development
Facilitating networking, partnerships, and collaboration across the VCSE sector and with statutory partners.
• Representation and Strategic Voice
Ensuring the VCSE sector is effectively represented in local system partnerships and decision-making structures.
• Community Development and Engagement
Supporting grassroots organisations and enabling community-led activity and participation.
Service Aims
The overarching aims of the Voluntary and Community Infrastructure Support Service are to:
• Strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the VCSE sector
• Support organisations to deliver high-quality, inclusive services
• Enable effective collaboration between VCSE organisations and public services
• Promote community-led approaches and local participation
• Contribute to improved outcomes for residents, particularly those facing inequality
Key Expectations of the Provider
The successful provider will be expected to:
• Deliver a coherent, accessible, and inclusive infrastructure support offer
• Ensure services are responsive to the diverse needs of the VCSE sector
• Provide support that is:
o Proportionate and needs-led
o Inclusive of small and grassroots organisations
o Flexible and adaptable
• Demonstrate:
o Strong understanding of the VCSE sector
o Experience in delivering infrastructure or capacity-building support
o Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Work collaboratively with:
o Swindon Borough Council
o Health partners and system stakeholders
o VCSE organisations across Swindon
Contract Intentions
Swindon Borough Council intends to:
• Commission a provider to deliver a borough-wide infrastructure support service
• Use feedback from this engagement to:
o Finalise service design
o Refine delivery expectations
o Inform the procurement approach
Estimated Contract Length and Value
The contract term and value are currently under development and will be confirmed as part of the Council’s commissioning and procurement process.
Engagement Process
To participate in this Preliminary Market Engagement: DN821953
• Suppliers must register on ProContract via: www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk
• Suppliers must register an interest to access the PME documentation
• Responses to the PME questionnaire must be submitted by: 27th July 2026

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065148-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 27 Jul 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £798,448 |
| 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 | SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN1 2JH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Eastcott |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon South |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services
- 85 - Health and social work services
- 98 - Other community, social and personal services

### Codes

- 80510000 - Specialist training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 85322000 - Community action programme
- 98133100 - Civic betterment and community facility support services
- 98200000 - Equal opportunities consultancy services

## Release History

- 10 Jul 2026 at 12:10 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065148-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065148-2026
  10th July 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.swindon.gov.uk
- 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-06c881. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c881.json.