Disability Support Service

Procurement description

This is an Invitation to tender for the provision of several support services for The University of Salford Students as outlined in the following lots:

• Lot 1: Educational Psychology assessments to identify specific learning difficulties.

Provision of Educational Psychology assessments to identify and diagnose Specific Learning Difficulties (including dyslexia) for students in a higher education setting, using an evidence based approach (which may include observation, standardised testing and interviews) to identify strengths and support needs.

• Lot 2: Band 1 and 2 non-medical helper support.

Band 1 and 2 support workers assist students with additional needs and disabilities to access and engage with their studies. Support is typically delivered in taught sessions and may include notetaking, practical assistance and support with anxiety management, as appropriate.

• Lot 3: Band 4 non-medical helper support, Specialist Study Skills, and Specialist Mentor support.

One-to-one support delivered outside taught sessions to help students with additional needs to navigate their academic journey. Specialist mentors support students to develop strategies

that promote independence and wellbeing, while specialist study skills tutors help students meet course requirements and build academic confidence.

• Lot 4: Bands 3- 4 non-medical helper support, Specialist D/deaf support.

In-class and out-of-class specialist support to enable d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing students to access and engage with their studies. This may include specialist notetaking, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and other specialist support professionals to facilitate communication.

• Lot 5: Bands 1- 4 non-medical helper support, Specialist VI Support for visually impaired students.

In-class and out-of-class specialist support to enable visually impaired students to access and engage with their studies. This may include sighted guide support, mobility training and other

Specialist Support Professionals to support orientation and navigation.

• Lot 6: Band 4 non-medical helper support, Specialist Study Skills and Specialist mentor support for apprentices

One-to-one support delivered outside taught sessions to help apprentices with additional needs to navigate their academic journey, workplace learning and wider apprenticeship requirements. Specialist mentors support apprentices to develop strategies that promote independence and wellbeing, while specialist study skills tutors help apprentices meet course requirements and build academic confidence across academic and workplace settings.

• Lot 7: Neurodiversity screening assessments for apprentices

Neurodiversity screening assessments for apprentices to identify indicators of neurodivergence, including specific learning difficulties and differences in attention, processing and communication, across academic and workplace settings. Assessments should identify strengths, barriers and support needs to inform reasonable adjustments, support planning and, where appropriate, liaison with relevant University and employer contacts.

• Lot 8: Needs assessments for apprenticeship students

Needs assessments for apprenticeship students to identify disability-related support requirements, barriers to participation and adjustments required to support engagement with learning, workplace activity and assessment. Assessments should provide clear recommendations to inform support planning, reasonable adjustments and specialist support across academic and workplace elements of the apprenticeship, including off-the-job training, on-programme learning and end-point assessment, as appropriate.

Please access the full tender information via the following link https://in-tendhost.co.uk/salford/aspx/Home.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKD3 - Greater Manchester

Total value (estimated)

2730996 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM to 31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 December 2031

University of Salford

Procedure type

Open procedure

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Description

Provision of Educational Psychology assessments to identify and diagnose Specific Learning Difficulties (including dyslexia) for students in a higher education setting, using an evidence

based approach (which may include observation, standardised testing and interviews) to identify strengths and support needs.

CPV classifications

• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Delivery regions

• UKD3 - Greater Manchester

Lot value (estimated)

548886 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The Contract shall commence on the date to be advised by the Authority in the Contract Award Document issued to the Contractor in due course (the "Commencement Date") and (subject to clauses 5.3 and 5.4 in the ITT) is intended to continue for an initial period of 3 years from the Commencement Date (the "Initial Term").

The Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term on a maximum of 2 [two] occasions, for a period of up to 1 (one) year on each occasion (each a "Renewal Period") at the Authority's sole

discretion, by the Authority giving the Contractor not less than 1 (one) months' notice prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period (as applicable).

Award criteria

Description

Band 1 and 2 support workers assist students with additional needs and disabilities to access and engage with their studies. Support is typically delivered in taught sessions and may include notetaking, practical assistance and support with anxiety management, as

appropriate.

CPV classifications

• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Delivery regions

• UKD3 - Greater Manchester

Lot value (estimated)

999234 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The Contract shall commence on the date to be advised by the Authority in the Contract Award Document issued to the Contractor in due course (the "Commencement Date") and (subject to clauses 5.3 and 5.4 in the ITT) is intended to continue for an initial period of 3 years from the Commencement Date (the "Initial Term").

The Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term on a maximum of 2 [two] occasions, for a period of up to 1 (one) year on each occasion (each a "Renewal Period") at the Authority's sole

discretion, by the Authority giving the Contractor not less than 1 (one) months' notice prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period (as applicable).

Award criteria

Description

One-to-one support delivered outside taught sessions to help students with additional needs to navigate their academic journey. Specialist mentors support students to develop strategies

that promote independence and wellbeing, while specialist study skills tutors help students meet course requirements and build academic confidence.

CPV classifications

• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Delivery regions

• UKD3 - Greater Manchester

Lot value (estimated)

108900 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The Contract shall commence on the date to be advised by the Authority in the Contract Award Document issued to the Contractor in due course (the "Commencement Date") and (subject to clauses 5.3 and 5.4 in the ITT) is intended to continue for an initial period of 3 years from the Commencement Date (the "Initial Term").

The Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term on a maximum of 2 [two] occasions, for a period of up to 1 (one) year on each occasion (each a "Renewal Period") at the Authority's sole

discretion, by the Authority giving the Contractor not less than 1 (one) months' notice prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period (as applicable).

Description

In-class and out-of-class specialist support to enable d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing students to access and engage with their studies. This may include specialist notetaking, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and other specialist support professionals to facilitate communication.

CPV classifications

• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Delivery regions

• UKD3 - Greater Manchester

Lot value (estimated)

386658 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The Contract shall commence on the date to be advised by the Authority in the Contract Award Document issued to the Contractor in due course (the "Commencement Date") and (subject to clauses 5.3 and 5.4 in the ITT) is intended to continue for an initial period of 3 years from the Commencement Date (the "Initial Term").

The Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term on a maximum of 2 [two] occasions, for a period of up to 1 (one) year on each occasion (each a "Renewal Period") at the Authority's sole

discretion, by the Authority giving the Contractor not less than 1 (one) months' notice prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period (as applicable).

Award criteria

Award criteria

Description

In-class and out-of-class specialist support to enable visually impaired students to access and engage with their studies. This may include sighted guide support, mobility training and other Specialist Support Professionals to support orientation and navigation.

No price data available.

CPV classifications

• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Delivery regions

• UKD3 - Greater Manchester

Lot value (estimated)

0 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The Contract shall commence on the date to be advised by the Authority in the Contract Award Document issued to the Contractor in due course (the "Commencement Date") and (subject to clauses 5.3 and 5.4 in the ITT) is intended to continue for an initial period of 3 years from the Commencement Date (the "Initial Term").

The Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term on a maximum of 2 [two] occasions, for a period of up to 1 (one) year on each occasion (each a "Renewal Period") at the Authority's sole

discretion, by the Authority giving the Contractor not less than 1 (one) months' notice prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period (as applicable).

Award criteria

Description

One-to-one support delivered outside taught sessions to help apprentices with additional needs to navigate their academic journey, workplace learning and wider apprenticeship requirements. Specialist mentors support apprentices to develop strategies that promote independence and wellbeing, while specialist study skills tutors help apprentices meet course requirements and build academic confidence across academic and workplace settings.

CPV classifications

• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Delivery regions

• UKD3 - Greater Manchester

Lot value (estimated)

558570 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The Contract shall commence on the date to be advised by the Authority in the Contract Award Document issued to the Contractor in due course (the "Commencement Date") and (subject to clauses 5.3 and 5.4 in the ITT) is intended to continue for an initial period of 3 years from the Commencement Date (the "Initial Term").

The Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term on a maximum of 2 [two] occasions, for a period of up to 1 (one) year on each occasion (each a "Renewal Period") at the Authority's sole

discretion, by the Authority giving the Contractor not less than 1 (one) months' notice prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period (as applicable).

Description

Neurodiversity screening assessments for apprentices to identify indicators of neurodivergence, including specific learning difficulties and differences in attention, processing and communication, across academic and workplace settings. Assessments should identify strengths, barriers and support needs to inform reasonable adjustments, support planning and, where appropriate, liaison with relevant University and employer

contacts.

CPV classifications

• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Delivery regions

• UKD3 - Greater Manchester

Lot value (estimated)

918 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The Contract shall commence on the date to be advised by the Authority in the Contract Award Document issued to the Contractor in due course (the "Commencement Date") and (subject to clauses 5.3 and 5.4 in the ITT) is intended to continue for an initial period of 3 years from the Commencement Date (the "Initial Term").

The Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term on a maximum of 2 [two] occasions, for a period of up to 1 (one) year on each occasion (each a "Renewal Period") at the Authority's sole

discretion, by the Authority giving the Contractor not less than 1 (one) months' notice prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period (as applicable).

Award criteria

Description

Needs assessments for apprenticeship students to identify disability-related support requirements, barriers to participation and adjustments required to support engagement with learning, workplace activity and assessment. Assessments should provide clear recommendations to inform support planning, reasonable adjustments and specialist support across academic and workplace elements of the apprenticeship, including off-the-job training, on-programme learning and end-point assessment, as appropriate.

CPV classifications

• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Delivery regions

• UKD3 - Greater Manchester

Lot value (estimated)

127830 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 January 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 December 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 December 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The Contract shall commence on the date to be advised by the Authority in the Contract Award Document issued to the Contractor in due course (the "Commencement Date") and (subject to clauses 5.3 and 5.4 in the ITT) is intended to continue for an initial period of 3 years from the Commencement Date (the "Initial Term").

The Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term on a maximum of 2 [two] occasions, for a period of up to 1 (one) year on each occasion (each a "Renewal Period") at the Authority's sole

discretion, by the Authority giving the Contractor not less than 1 (one) months' notice prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period (as applicable).

Award criteria

Award criteria

Tender submission deadline

01 September 2026, 12:00PM

Enquiry deadline

25 August 2026, 12:00PM

Date of award of contract

30 October 2026, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

Please access the full tender information using the link https://in-tendhost.co.uk/salford/aspx/Home.

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

• English