Connect to Work Programme

Procurement reference

DN799123

Procurement description

The Authority is delivering the Connect to Work Programme as part of new Mayoral powers to convene local supported employment provision that contributes to the national Get Britain Working plan and the Local Growth Plan.

Connect to Work is a new, voluntary supported employment initiative funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is the first major element of the Get Britain Working Strategy and will take a collaborative, locally led approach

It will:

• Connect local work, health, and skills support using a “place, train, maintain” model.

• Target “hidden unemployment” and disadvantaged groups.

• Deliver IPS (Individual Placement and Support) and SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) interventions with high fidelity to national models.

• Ensure equitable access through a zero-exclusions approach.

• Support at least 3,738 residents between 2025 and 2030.

The Authority, as Lead Authority and Accountable Body for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, will commission, implement, and manage Connect to Work. Delivery will align with local priorities and be supported through partnerships with health services and other stakeholders

The Authority seeks to award a single contract to an experienced Supplier to manage a specialist supply chain and deliver 3,738 Connect to Work Programme starts, along with associated job starts and outcomes, between contract commencement and 31 March 2030.

The successful Supplier will be responsible for:

• Building and managing a specialist, local supply chain of delivery partners.

• Ensuring access to, and engagement with, the targeted Connect to Work participants.

• Overall delivery of both IPS (Individual Placement and Support model) and SEQF (Support Employment Quality Framework) support to the IPS and SEQF fidelity scales2 at the required volumes and profiles as detailed in this Specification.

The Authority is conducting this procurement using the Competitive Flexible Procedure, in accordance with Section 20(2)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023. The process has been designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and proportionality, while maintaining flexibility to meet the requirements of this Light Touch Contract.

Stage 1 – Shortlisting Suppliers

Stage 1 identifies Suppliers capable of meeting the Authority’s requirements.

• 4 pass/fail questions – Suppliers failing any pass/fail question will be excluded.

• 3 weighted backward-looking questions – These assess relevant experience and are scored against the published marking scheme.

Suppliers passing the pass/fail questions will be scored on their weighted quality responses. The Authority intends to invite up to five (5) of the highest-scoring Suppliers to Stage 2. If fewer than five meet the requirements, fewer may be shortlisted. In the event of a tie for fifth place, all Suppliers with the same score may progress.

The shortlisting methodology will be applied consistently to all Suppliers and will not be altered once the evaluation process has commenced.

Stage 2 – Invitation to Tender (ITT)

Only Suppliers shortlisted from Stage 1 will be invited to Stage 2, which includes

1. Conditions of Participation (Exclusion Checks)

2. Tender Submission and Evaluation

Main category

Services

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

12291042 GBP to 12291042GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

13 March 2026, 00:00AM to 31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 March 2030

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Reduced Tendering Period

Light touch contract

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Trade agreements

Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

CPV classifications

• 80000000 - Education and training services
• 79611000 - Job search services
• 79634000 - Career guidance services
• 80521000 - Training programme services
• 80570000 - Personal development training services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services

Lot value (estimated)

12291042 GBP Excluding VAT

14749250 GBP Including VAT

Contract start date (estimated)

13 March 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 March 2030, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

Contract durations

25 months initially, with option to extend by 24 months.

The Authority may, by giving the Supplier not less than three months' written notice prior to expiry of the Initial Term, request the extension of this agreement in respect of the whole (or part) of the Services and on the same terms mutatis mutandis, for a period of up to two years from the day following expiry of the Initial Term.

Award criteria

Tender submission deadline

15 December 2025, 12:00PM

Date of award of contract

27 February 2026, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

Interested parties are invited to download and engage with the opportunity by;(a) Going to: https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities(b) Select Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority from the organization list(c) Searching for opportunity: Connect to Work Programme; Ref: DN799123(d) Express an interest(e) Access and download the Tender documents from the website and respond in accordance with the contained instructions.Alternatively, you can access the direct link to the opportunity here:https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=41b64870-a7ce-f011-813a-005056b64545

Minimum number of suppliers to be invited to tender

3

Maximum number of suppliers to be invited to tender

10

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

• English