Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Luton Council
Town Hall, George Street
Luton
LU1 2BQ
UK
Contact person: Mrs Caroline Sturman
E-mail: caroline.sturman@luton.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.luton.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: http://www.luton.gov.uk
I.1) Name and addresses
HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
HERTFORD
UK
E-mail: martha.moroney@hertfordshire.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/home.aspx
I.1) Name and addresses
CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
SHEFFORD
UK
E-mail: sarah.preston@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/
I.1) Name and addresses
BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
BEDFORD
UK
E-mail: lucy.munt@bedford.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.bedford.gov.uk/
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract involves joint procurement
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://procontract.due-north.com
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://procontract.due-north.com
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
AT1487 Independent Foster Agencies Provision
Reference number: DN807169
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85300000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Luton Council are leading on the procurement on behalf of the four Local Authority Partners, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council (the Partnership Authorities).
Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Councils are working collaboratively to re-open and expand the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies to serve all authorities. The APL will support the authorities to deliver suitable foster care placements at the right time, in the right location and with the right support, to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after.
We are seeking independent Foster Care provision must be in in Beds/Herts and surrounding areas eg Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire. Providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding and act in accordance with the guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and any subsequent guidance.
This is being procured under the Light Touch Regime under Public Contract Regulations 2015 as the original APL was procured before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
118 000 000.00
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:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Councils are working collaboratively to re-open and expand the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies to serve all authorities. The APL will support the authorities to deliver suitable foster care placements at the right time, in the right location and with the right support, to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after.
We are seeking independent Foster Care provision must be in in Beds/Herts and surrounding areas eg Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire. Providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding and act in accordance with the guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and any subsequent guidance.Luton Council are leading on the procurement on behalf of the four Local Authority Partners, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council (the Partnership Authorities).
An Approved Provider List (APL) was commissioned for Independent Fostering Agencies in 2025 and this is re-opening of the APL to allow more Providers to join. The purpose of the APL is to support the Partner Authorities in fulfilling their statutory duty under the relevant legislation to ensure there is sufficient accommodation for children looked after.
The Authorities' aim is for every Child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to achieve and maintain a healthy and emotionally balanced life. They should feel safe and be kept safe and have their voices heard.
This is being procured under the Light Touch Regime under Public Contract Regulations 2015 as the original APL was procured before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 108
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
14/04/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
14/04/2026
Local time: 12:05
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE
LONDON
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
13/03/2026