Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 18 Sept 2025, 08:48 BST

Official UK procurement notice

CPH130 Social Connection Service

Official notice

Authority: Derbyshire County Council (Local council)

3 lotsServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdLight touch regimeSME suitableVCSE suitable
Published estimate£1,200,000total for 3 lots · £1,440,000 inc. VAT · 1 value update
Submissions closed 19 Mar 2026awarded 2 Jun 2026
Awarded to Rethink Trading Limited, Citizens Advice Mid Mercia3 awards
Contract term 2 yrsends 31 Oct 2028 · up to 31 Oct 2029 with extensions · starts 1 Nov 2026

What is being bought3 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

To deliver a social connection service for Derbyshire residents (excluding Derby City Residents). This service is being procured under the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023. The service will deliver effective, prevention focused social connection initiatives to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing, make best use of community assets, and strengthen the resilience of local communities.

The contract is divided into three geographical lots across the County.

Lot 1: North East - Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire

Lot 2: North West - High Peak and Derbyshire Dales

Lot 3: South - Erewash, Amber Valley and South Derbyshire

The Social Connectedness Service will commence on 01 November 2026 for a period of 2 years to 31 October 2028, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract term will be up to 3 years.

Prospective tenderers should note that this contract may be affected by Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). In accordance with Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023, this contract may be novated to a successor council or otherwise modified to reflect the requirements of any new council arrangements arising from LGR. The exact nature of any modification or novation cannot be determined at this time, but such changes will be managed under both the Procurement Act 2023 and the contractual provisions

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 5 Feb 2029, 23:59 GMT.
  • How the procedure runs: See Tender Documents

CPV: Health and social work services

Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure

3 lots · all with a published value (£1,200,000 together) · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1North East Social Connection ServiceAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£490,569

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 31 Oct 2029 with extensionsValue: £490,569 exc. VAT · £588,683 inc. VAT
Delivery: East MidlandsEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: Initial contract term is for up to two year from 01 November 2026 and will run until 31 October 2028, with the option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract term will be up to a maximum of 3 years.
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See Tender Documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    See Tender Documents

Lot #2North West Social Connection ServiceAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£259,593

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 31 Oct 2029 with extensionsValue: £259,593 exc. VAT · £311,511 inc. VAT
Delivery: East MidlandsEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: Initial contract term is for up to two year from 01 November 2026 and will run until 31 October 2028, with the option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract term will be up to a maximum of 3 years.
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See Tender Documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    See Tender Documents

Lot #3South Social Connection ServiceAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£449,838

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 31 Oct 2029 with extensionsValue: £449,838 exc. VAT · £539,805 inc. VAT
Delivery: East MidlandsEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: Initial contract term is for up to two year from 01 November 2026 and will run until 31 October 2028, with the option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract term will be up to a maximum of 3 years.
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See Tender Documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    See Tender Documents

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 3 lots
Quality: 80%Price: 20%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Quality
  • Price
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See Tender Documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    See Tender Documents

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Light touch regime
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 5 Feb 2029
First published
18 Sept 2025, 08:48 BST
Last source update
30 Jun 2026, 14:36 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 1 Jun 2026
Authority reference
CPH130
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-010821
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Health and social work services
Delivery area
East Midlands (UKF1)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-059cbb Find a Tender
How it runs

See Tender Documents

Review and risk notes
Risks

Due to the potential changing environment, modifications to the contract may be required to be implemented during the contract term, this may include:

Variations to KPI's and Outcomes as a result of performance review, evaluation of outcome and community needs. Including the development of Cost benefit Analysis.

Changes to the delivery model to reflect emerging needs, co-production insights, or strategic priorities. This may include adjustments to the services offered, target groups, geographic coverage, delivery methods, monitoring measures, or collaborative arrangements.as a result of performance review, evaluation outcomes and community needs.

Uplifts/reduction in budget subject to budget availability for increases in volumes, additional funding streams and or exceptional cost pressure at the Councils sole discretion.

Prospective tenderers should note that this contract may be affected by Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). In accordance with Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023, this contract may be novated to a successor council or otherwise modified to reflect the requirements of any new council arrangements arising from LGR. The exact nature of any modification or novation cannot be determined at this time, but such changes will be managed under both the Procurement Act 2023 and the contractual provisions

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: East Midlands Tendering
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free regional portal
Submission deadline
19 Mar 2026, 11:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
6 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

18 Sept 2025 → 1 Nov 2026 · 10 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    18 Sept 2025, 08:48 BST
  2. Market engagement283 days ago
    16 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT

    Soft Market Engagement

    Socially Connectedness Service (Derbyshire)

    Feedback Required on Draft Specification

    ⚠ Please note:

    • This is not an invitation to tender
    • There is no requirement to express an interest.
    • The draft specification is available on the following link under Public Attachments procontract.due-north.com/Advert ↗
    • This activity is for feedback only

    What we are asking:

    • Providers are invited to review the draft specification and the previous supporting information
    • Provide feedback by answering the questions in the Microsoft Form
    • So we can consider feedback before the specification is finalised and put out for formal tender.

    Supporting Information:

    Provide your feedback:

    forms.office.com/e/fBK0rsiC78 ↗

    Deadline: 5:00pm Friday 16 January 2026

    Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.

    We would also like to remind you about the Procurement Information Webinar Event which will be held via MS Teams on 14 January at 10am. Please see the following link: procontract.due-north.com/Advert ↗ for the documents under public attachments for further details and a link to the MS Teams meeting which you can use to join on the appropriate day/time.

  3. Tender notice published262 days ago
    6 Feb 2026, 10:56 GMT
  4. Clarification questions by234 days ago
    6 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
  5. Submission deadline221 days ago
    19 Mar 2026, 11:00 GMT
  6. Award decision expected by147 days ago
    1 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
  7. Assessment summaries sent147 days ago
    2 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
  8. Standstill ends137 days ago
    11 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
  9. Latest notice published118 days ago
    30 Jun 2026, 14:36 BST
  10. Today
    27 Oct 2026
  11. Contract startsin 4 days
    1 Nov 2026

Notice history

22 events · 15 releases on Find a Tender · since 18 Sept 2025
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    18 Sept 2025, 08:48 BST
    UK2
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    18 Sept 2025, 08:53 BST
    UK2
  3. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    3 Oct 2025, 12:16 BST
    UK2
  4. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    3 Nov 2025, 15:36 GMT
    UK2
  5. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    17 Dec 2025, 10:29 GMT
    UK2
  6. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    18 Dec 2025, 08:18 GMT
    UK2
  7. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    9 Jan 2026, 09:51 GMT
    UK2
  8. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    9 Jan 2026, 10:45 GMT
    UK2
  9. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    9 Jan 2026, 11:22 GMT
    UK2
  10. Tender notice published
    6 Feb 2026, 10:56 GMT
    UK4
  11. Published value published: £1,200,000
    6 Feb 2026, 10:56 GMT
  12. Status changed to active
    6 Feb 2026, 10:56 GMT
  13. Procurement method changed
    6 Feb 2026, 10:56 GMT
  14. Deadline published: 19 Mar 2026, 11:00 GMT
    6 Feb 2026, 10:56 GMT
  15. Tender notice published
    6 Feb 2026, 11:08 GMT
    UK4
  16. Tender notice published
    9 Feb 2026, 09:17 GMT
    UK4
  17. Tender notice published
    6 Mar 2026, 08:55 GMT
    UK4
  18. Contract award notice published
    2 Jun 2026, 16:12 BST
    UK6
  19. Status changed to complete
    2 Jun 2026, 16:12 BST
  20. Contract signature expected
    12 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  21. Contract details notice published
    30 Jun 2026, 14:36 BST
    UK7
  22. Procurement method changed
    30 Jun 2026, 14:36 BST
Published amendments (8)

Enagement Deadline Amended to 20 October 2025 which is the deadline to email to attend the event on 22 October. The Questionnaire Deadline is Friday 03 October 2025, 5PM

Extended Closing Date To Complete Questionnaire to: Friday 10 October 2025 at 5pm.

Added information regarding sharing the Specification early January 2026.

Added reminder about the the Procurement Information Webinar Event which will be held via MS Teams on 14 January at 10am

No Changes

Routine re-releases (15)
  • 2026-02: 3 releases · 6 Feb 2026, 9 Feb 2026
  • 2026-01: 3 releases · 9 Jan 2026, 9 Jan 2026
  • 2025-12: 2 releases · 17 Dec 2025, 18 Dec 2025
  • 2025-11: 1 release · 3 Nov 2025
  • 2025-10: 1 release · 3 Oct 2025
  • 2025-09: 2 releases · 18 Sept 2025, 18 Sept 2025

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 3
Awarded value £1,194,4503 awards exc. VAT
Bids received 132 from SMEs
Contracts signed 3latest 30 Jun 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · North East Social Connection Service1 award
Rethink Trading LimitedLot 1. Lot 1 North East Social Connection Service1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 · up to 31 Oct 2029Extensions: Option to extend for a further 12 months.£490,3472 Jun 2026Awarded
Lot 2 · North West Social Connection Service1 award
Citizens Advice Mid MerciaSMELot 2. Lot 2 North West Social Connection Service1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 · up to 31 Oct 2029Extensions: Option to extend for a further 12 months.£254,4312 Jun 2026Awarded
Lot 3 · South Social Connection Service1 award
Rethink Trading LimitedLot 3. Lot 3 South Social Connection Service1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 · up to 31 Oct 2029Extensions: Option to extend for a further 12 months.£449,6722 Jun 2026Awarded

Contracts

  • Contract 1 · Rethink Trading Limited

    Signed
    30 Jun 2026
    Value
    £490,347
    Period
    1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 · up to 31 Oct 2029 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Option to extend for a further 12 months.
  • Contract 2 · Citizens Advice Mid MerciaSME

    Signed
    30 Jun 2026
    Value
    £254,431
    Period
    1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 · up to 31 Oct 2029 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Option to extend for a further 12 months.
  • Contract 3 · Rethink Trading Limited

    Signed
    30 Jun 2026
    Value
    £449,672
    Period
    1 Nov 2026 – 31 Oct 2028 · up to 31 Oct 2029 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Option to extend for a further 12 months.

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · North East Social Connection Service5final-stage tenders · 8 at stage one14—
2 · North West Social Connection Service3final-stage tenders · 11 at stage one03—
3 · South Social Connection Service5final-stage tenders · 12 at stage one14—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Derbyshire County Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PWZQ-2162-JJQL County Hall, Matlock, East Midlands, DE4 3AGContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

2 commercial parties on the notice
  • Citizens Advice Mid MerciaAwarded supplierGB-CHC: 1107830GB-COH: 5311627 Citizens Advice Bureau, 114 Church Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, East Midlands, DE11 9NRContact email
  • RETHINK TRADING LTDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 04570581GB-PPON: PWDP-6442-MTGJ 28 Albert Embankment, London, London, SE1 7GRContact email

Official documents & specifications (20)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Notices published for this procedure

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