Social and other specific services – public contracts
Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Durham County Council
County Hall
DURHAM
DH15UQ
UK
Contact person: Donna Iley
E-mail: donna.iley@durham.gov.uk
NUTS: UKC14
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.durham.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: www.open-uk.org
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
www.open-uk.org
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.open-uk.org
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Autism Support Services
Reference number: OPEN202574
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
This contract is for the provision of an Autism Support Service to people aged 16+ across County Durham.
The service will target people with a diagnosis of autism, or are on the waiting list for a diagnosis, but who do not meet the eligibility criteria to access social care services.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
2 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKC14
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This contract is for the provision of an Autism Support Service to people aged 16+.
The service will target people with a diagnosis of autism, or are on the waiting list for a diagnosis, but who do not meet the eligibility criteria to access social care services.
This procurement is issued under an Open Tender process in line with Public Contracts Regulation 2015, under Regulation 74 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 for contracts for social and other specific services (Light Touch Regime).
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start:
01/06/2025
End:
31/05/2028
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
The proposed 36month contract is to be let with an option to extend for a further 2 periods of 24 months each from the actual end date subject to Commissioner and Budget approval.
The service will be commissioned by Durham County Council and is funded by both Durham County Council and the Integrated Care Board. The Council's intention is that the full service, as detailed in the service specification, will continue for the initial contract period i.e. end date of 31/5/2028 however the Council is unable to confirm at the point of tender the full budget as the budget from the Integrated Care Board has only been made available until the 31/3/2026. The Council will liaise with the successful provider with regards to this should budget be reduced.
The Council believes that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) applies to this contract.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
10/03/2025
Local time: 10:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
The High Court of England & Wales
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
10/02/2025