Find a TenderOpen for tender Tender notice
Published 14 Jul 2026, 12:44 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Early Help for Adults Navigator Service Redesign

Authority: Manchester City Council (Local council)

ServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdLight touch regimeSME suitableVCSE suitable
Published estimate£5,152,854≈ £1.3m / year · £6,183,425 inc. VAT · 1 value update
Submission deadline 23 Nov 202611:00 GMT · 27d 14h left
Clarification cut-off 11 Nov 202611:00 GMT · questions to the authority
Contract term 4 yrsends 1 Jul 2031 · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensions · starts 1 Jul 2027

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Manchester City Council requires a provider to deliver a city-wide Early Help for Adults Navigator Service for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage.

The Early Help for Adults Navigator Service aims to improve outcomes for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage through early intervention, prevention, and personalised support. The service will help people address challenges before they escalate into crisis, while promoting independence, resilience and long-term wellbeing.

The service will support wider public service systems to improve through collaborative partnership working and identification and reporting of barriers faced by clients so that they can be addressed by key decision makers.

Individual, service, and system outcomes are detailed in the Outcome Framework in Section 5.1 of Appendix B- Specification

CPV: Social work services without accommodation

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1Renewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£5,152,854
Contract period: 1 Jul 2027 – 1 Jul 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensionsValue: £5,152,854 exc. VAT · £6,183,425 inc. VAT
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligibleTurnover guideline: ~£2,572,902/yr≈ 2× annual value
Extensions: The contract period will be for 4 years with the option to extend for an additional 2 years.
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See tender documentation

  • Technical & professional ability

    See tender documentation

Who is likely to bid for this lot ↓

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 are scored
Quality: 50%Price: 20%Social value: 20%Environmental: 10%
Published award criteria (4)
  • Price
  • Quality
  • Social Value
  • Environmental
Conditions of participation2
  • Economic & financial standing

    See tender documentation

  • Technical & professional ability

    See tender documentation

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.
  • Turnover usually expected at this size: about £2,572,902 (twice the annual value).

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula. Turnover is an indicative market norm (≈2× annual value), not a published condition.

Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid

How Manchester City Council buys Social work services (CPV 8531), and who usually turns up

Manchester City Council’s published record next to the market for the same work. Frameworks and DPS are left out: they draw different bid counts. Whole-market view: Social work services (CPV 8531) →

1

How the contest usually goes

Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.

Question for the bid
This buyerManchester City Council · division 85
The marketSocial work services (CPV 8531) · North West England
What to do with it
How often do SMEs win?
i

How often small and medium firms win.

Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.

The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.

Last 36 months.

Buyer: 11 of 27 known-size awards · market: CPV 8531 · North West England, n=80
41%45%

Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.

How often do local suppliers win?
i

How often local firms win similar work.

Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.

Local means the winner is registered in the region where that award was delivered. The market figure counts awards delivered in North West England.

A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.

Last 36 months.

Buyer: 31 of 41 known-location awards · market: CPV 8531 · North West England, n=142
76%51%

Most of this buyer’s recorded winners were registered in the region where that award was delivered.

How long to a decision?
i

How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.

Middle value in days from the bid deadline to the award date, on competitions that published both.

Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.

Last 36 months.

Buyer: 13 decided notices · market: CPV 8531 · North West England, n=35
72 days40 days

Half of these awards have an award date within 72 days of the bid deadline.

How often single-bid or direct?
i

How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.

Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.

Both shares are minimums: some awards have no bid count.

Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.

Last 36 months.

Buyer: at least 16 of 33 procurements with awards had no recorded rival · market: CPV 8531 · North West England, n=122
48%57%

Direct awards or one recorded bid are common here. Check the route before spending time on a bid.

How many bids did past lots attract?

i

How many bids past lots received.

Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.

Past bids do not predict this tender.

Last 36 months.

This buyer26 lots with bid counts · broad CPV 85
15% had one bid
The market53 lots with bid counts · CPV 8531 · North West England
21% had one bid
Buyer / market · select a colour for counts
1 bid15% / 21%
Buyer: 4 of 26 lots with published bid counts. Market: 11 of 53 lots with published bid counts.
2–350% / 40%
Buyer: 13 of 26 lots with published bid counts. Market: 21 of 53 lots with published bid counts.
4–612% / 21%
Buyer: 3 of 26 lots with published bid counts. Market: 11 of 53 lots with published bid counts.
7+23% / 19%
Buyer: 6 of 26 lots with published bid counts. Market: 10 of 53 lots with published bid counts.

How did awards compare with estimates?

i

Where winning prices landed against estimates.

Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.

Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.

Last 36 months.

This buyer24 lots with estimate and award · broad CPV 85
4% below estimate
The market41 lots with estimate and award · CPV 8531 · North West England
22% below estimate
Buyer / market · select a colour for counts
Below estimate4% / 22%
Buyer: 1 of 24 lots with an estimate and award. Market: 9 of 41 lots with an estimate and award.
Within ±2%96% / 78%
Buyer: 23 of 24 lots with an estimate and award. Market: 32 of 41 lots with an estimate and award.
Above estimate0% / 0%
Buyer: 0 of 24 lots with an estimate and award. Market: 0 of 41 lots with an estimate and award.
2

Assess each lot
i

What past awards tell you about each lot.

See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.

No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.

Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list

Lot #1CPV 853148 monthsSME suitablePublished estimate£5.2m
Expected competition
i

How many bids this lot may attract.

The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.

Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative. The bar shows 53 past lots.

A forecast, not a list of bidders.

—No model forecast yet21% chance of a single bid
Past bids on 53 similar lots
1 bid21%
11 of 53 similar past lots received 1 bid (21%).
2–340%
21 of 53 similar past lots received 2–3 (40%).
4–621%
11 of 53 similar past lots received 4–6 (21%).
7+19%
10 of 53 similar past lots received 7+ (19%).
Comparable past lots usually drew 3 bids.
Commercial price forecast
i

Where the award price may land.

The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.

No comparable awards for this lot yet.

A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.

—No model forecast yet
No comparable awards on record for this lot’s category yet. The published estimate is £5.2m, and the forecast stays empty until the market has a record to read.

Who has supplied this buyer on similar work?
i

Who has done similar work for this buyer.

Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.

A past supplier may not bid again.

No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.

Who could compete for this lot?
i

Who could compete for this lot?

Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.

None is confirmed as a bidder.

Candidate suppliers for this notice have not been worked out yet, so this is not a verdict that nobody fits.

About this data
  • Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
  • Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
  • Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
  • Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Open for tender
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
Unspecified in notice
First published
14 Jul 2026, 12:44 BST
Last source update
26 Oct 2026, 12:47 GMT
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 8 Feb 2027
Authority reference
P-1554
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-100989
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Social work services without accommodation
Delivery area
North West (UKD33)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06cab3 Find a Tender

How to participate & submission route

Official notice Submit via ProContract (Due North)
Submission portal named on this notice: ProContract (Due North) · Who buys & how to bid on ProContract
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · short registration with manual review; public opportunity list
Requests to participate (first stage)
—
Tender submission deadline
23 Nov 2026, 11:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
11 Nov 2026, 11:00 GMT
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

The Council is using the e-business portal known as the Chest. Applicants will need to register their details at the following link www.the-chest.org.uk ↗ . Once registered, applicants will be emailed a log-in and password which will allow them to gain access to the documentation relating to this opportunity. Applicants will need to electronically submit their completed tender documents, including procurement specific questionnaire, via the on-line portal by 11am on 23rd November 2026 as referred to in the tender documentation. Any clarification queries must also be submitted via the Chest website by the date referred to in the tender documentation.

Below is the link to the chest advert:

procontract.due-north.com/Procurer/Advert/Adve… ↗

Published estimate £5,152,854 excludes VAT (£6,183,425 including VAT).

Timeline

14 Jul 2026 → 1 Jul 2027 · 8 dates
  1. Planning notice published104 days ago
    14 Jul 2026, 12:44 BST
  2. Market engagement90 days ago
    28 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST

    Manchester City Council is seeking an innovative and collaborative partner to deliver its city-wide Early Help for Adults Navigator Service, supporting adults experiencing multiple disadvantage to achieve sustainable, long-term improvements in their lives. Building on the success of the current model, the service provides intensive, relationship-based support for people whose needs often span housing, mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, social care and criminal justice services. Through skilled Navigator workers, the service helps people overcome barriers, build on their strengths, and access the right support at the right time.

    At the heart of the service is a commitment to prevention, early intervention and person-centred practice. Navigators work alongside individuals rather than doing things to them, using strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches that recognise lived experience, promote independence and resilience, and empower people to shape their own futures. The service embraces Manchester's "Our Manchester" ethos, working flexibly and compassionately with residents, whilst ensuring that people are connected to their communities, local opportunities and lasting support networks.

    Beyond individual support, the service plays a key role in driving wider system change across Manchester. Working closely with Adult Social Care, health services, housing providers, the voluntary sector and other partners, the successful provider will help shape a more joined-up, neighbourhood-based response to multiple disadvantage.

    Manchester City Council is asking for interested suppliers to review the draft specification:

    accessible via Chest - procontract.due-north.com/Procurer/Advert/View ↗

    and then complete the following questionnaire to provide the council feedback: forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx ↗

  3. Next notice expected69 days ago
    18 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
  4. Tender notice publishedearlier today
    26 Oct 2026, 12:47 GMT
  5. Today
    26 Oct 2026
  6. Clarification questions byin 16 days
    11 Nov 2026, 11:00 GMT
  7. Submission deadlinein 28 days
    23 Nov 2026, 11:00 GMT
  8. Award decision expected byin 105 days
    8 Feb 2027, 23:59 GMT
  9. Contract startsin 247 days
    1 Jul 2027, 00:00 BST

Notice history

6 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 14 Jul 2026
  1. Pipeline notice published
    14 Jul 2026, 12:44 BST
    UK1
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    14 Jul 2026, 13:12 BST
    UK2
  3. Tender notice published
    26 Oct 2026, 12:47 GMT
    UK4
  4. Published value updated to £5,152,854
    26 Oct 2026, 12:47 GMT
    was £3,435,236
  5. Status changed to active
    26 Oct 2026, 12:47 GMT
  6. Deadline published: 23 Nov 2026, 11:00 GMT
    26 Oct 2026, 12:47 GMT

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Nothing awarded yet
Awards (0)
No award published
Contracts (0)
No contract published
Bid statistics
No aggregate bid statistics published

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Manchester City Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PLNV-8798-LDMP Town Hall Extension, Manchester, North West, M60 2LAContact email

Official documents & specifications (5)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Bidding documents and specifications tenderBidding documents and specifications
  • Technical specificationstenderTechnical specificationsThe Council is using the e-business portal known as the Chest. Applicants will need to register their details at the following link www.the-chest.org.uk . Once registered, applicants will be emailed a log-in and password which will allow them to gain access to the documentation r…

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Preliminary market engagement notice planningPreliminary market engagement noticeUK2Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
  • Pipeline notice planningPipeline noticeUK1Pipeline notice on Find a Tender