Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework

Procurement reference

B984/25

Procurement description

Bridgend County Borough Council is seeking to procure experienced providers to deliver childcare places under the Flying Start and Flying Start Expansion programmes.

This service is only applicable for children that are resident in Bridgend County Borough, from the term after they turn two to the term they turn three years old.

Children will be offered up to 12.5 hours a week for Flying Start funding, term time only.

The key objectives of the service are:

• To provide accessible, high-quality, developmentally appropriate childcare that supports children’s learning, well-being and progress from an early age.

• To ensure childcare is delivered by a skilled, well-qualified workforce with access to continuing professional learning and best practice support.

• To promote high standards of care, learning and safeguarding through robust quality assurance and improvement support.

• To deliver inclusive, equitable provision that meets the needs of all children, including those with additional learning needs or vulnerabilities.

• To ensure childcare provision is well-matched to local need and sustainably commissioned, supporting continuity, sufficiency and parental choice.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKL17 - Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

15000000 GBP to 15000000GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

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

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 28 March 2031

Is a framework being established?

Yes

Is this an open framework scheme?

Yes

Bridgend County Borough Council

Procedure type

Open procedure

Reduced Tendering Period

Light touch contract

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Further information about fees

no fee

Percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Open framework scheme end date (estimated)

31 March 2031, 23:59PM

Maximum number of suppliers

1000

Award method when using the framework

Without reopening competition

Framework operation description

The Authority is procuring an Open Framework in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

An Open Framework is a scheme of frameworks that provides for the award of successive frameworks on substantially the same terms (the Framework Scheme) .

The maximum term of the Framework Scheme will be [5] years.

Successful suppliers from this procurement process will be awarded a place on the first framework (Initial Framework) for a period of [2] years.

Re-opening: The Authority intends to re-open the Open Framework after the initial [2] year period. On award of the Second Framework, the Initial Framework will expire automatically (although any Orders placed under the Initial Framework will continue).

The Second Framework shall continue for a period of 12 months. After the Initial Term of the Second Framework, the Authority may extend the then-current framework by successive periods of up to 12 months each, and/or reopen the framework and award a further successive framework, provided that it shall re-open the Framework on at least one more occasion before expiry of the [5] year Framework Scheme.

This process will involve a new competitive tendering procedure conducted at the appropriate time to ensure continuity and market testing.

There is no limit to the number of Suppliers to be awarded a place on each Framework.

• Appointment of suppliers to each framework under open framework:

• For Existing suppliers, ie those having been appointed to the framework in existence immediately before the next framework in the scheme being awarded:

• The Authority may award the framework to an existing supplier by reference to the fact that the supplier has already been awarded a framework under the scheme and will therefore not have to submit a new tender. However, if a supplier wished to make changes to its earlier tender, this would require a new tender to be submitted and assessed; or

• The Authority may call for new tenders to be submitted and evaluated for the new Framework; or

• The Authority may award a place on the framework by reference to a tender relating to an earlier award of a framework under the Framework Scheme.

New Suppliers will have to submit a tender for any new Framework to be evaluated and awarded in accordance with instructions set out in the procurement documents at the time.

Description

Description: Childminder

CPV classifications

• 85312110 - Child daycare services
• 80110000 - Pre-school education services

Delivery regions

• UKL17 - Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot

Lot value (estimated)

2500000 GBP Excluding VAT

3000000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

28 March 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

option to extend subject to funding

Description of how multiple lots may be awarded

Lot 1 - Childminders

Lot 2 –Childcare Settings

Dependent on which lot the bidder requires to apply for

Participation

Award criteria

Description

Description: Childcare settings

CPV classifications

• 85312110 - Child daycare services
• 80110000 - Pre-school education services

Delivery regions

• UKL17 - Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot

Lot value (estimated)

12500000 GBP Excluding VAT

15000000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

29 March 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

option to extend subject to grant funding

Description of how multiple lots may be awarded

Lot 1 - Childminders

Lot 2 –Childcare Settings

Dependent on which lot the bidder requires to apply for

Participation

Award criteria

Payment terms

See Terms in tender pack

Description of risks to contract performance

See terms in tender pack

Tender submission deadline

05 January 2026, 12:00PM

Enquiry deadline

31 December 2025, 17:00PM

Date of award of contract

27 February 2026, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

https://etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtmlitt_121843 - Provision of a Flying Start Childcare Service Framework

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Is this a recurring procurement?

No

Publication date of next tender notice (estimated)

08 January 2026, 23:59PM

Languages that may be used for submission

• Welsh
• English