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Tenderpatch
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GMCA 2201: NW Regional Children's Services Contract

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Planned

Key facts

Closing date
Not stated by the buyer
Buyer's estimated value
£13,891,659,564 (excl. VAT) The buyer's own estimate, not income to you. For a framework this usually covers the whole agreement, not a single contract.
Contract period
31 Jul 2027 to 1 Aug 2035
Procedure
Competitive flexible procedure
Notice type
Preliminary market engagement notice (UK2)
Suitable for SMEs (per buyer)
Yes
Arrangement
Framework agreement

Decision brief

Taken from the buyer's published notice (shown as written, shortened where long). Tenderpatch has not added to or interpreted it. Always read the official documents before bidding.

How bids will be scored
Not stated in the notice.
Conditions of participation (what you must show)
None published in the notice. They may be in the tender documents.
Contract length and extensions
31 Jul 2027 to 1 Aug 2035.
How to submit
Not stated in the notice.
Changes the buyer has announced
  • Addition of hyperlinks
Tender documents
No document links in the notice. Use the official notice link.
New to public tenders? Plain-English guide to this page
Framework
An agreement that sets terms for work the buyer may order later, often from several suppliers. The value shown usually covers the whole agreement, not one job.
Open for bids / closing date
You must submit by the closing date and time, normally through the buyer's own online portal. Late bids are normally refused.
Clarification questions
A deadline for asking the buyer questions about the tender. It is earlier than the closing date.
Conditions of participation
What the buyer asks suppliers to show before they can be considered, such as experience, insurance or accreditations.
Bids are scored on
How the buyer will compare bids, usually a split between price and quality. A 60/40 split in favour of quality means the cheapest bid will not necessarily win.
Lots
A tender can be split into parts. You can often bid for only the lots that suit you.
Area (ITL)
The buyer names an official statistical area for where the work is, not a street address. Check the tender documents for the actual sites.
UK4 and other notice codes
Official codes for the type of notice. A "tender notice" means bids are being invited.

General explanations written by Tenderpatch, not part of this notice.

Description

There are four regional purchasing systems operated by NWADCS on behalf of the 24 North West authorities, these date back to 2009 for the first regional residential contract. These arrangements now include over 500 providers and at any one time over 3000 children are living in homes sourced via a regional contract. The planned contract end dates were January 2028 for Residential, March 2028 for Fostering, February 2031 for SENDAP and October 2031 for Supported Accommodation. As a result of changes in the operating context, including the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 we are reviewing all four arrangements at the same time. Through this work we are aiming for: Reduced duplication in procurement activity across the region. Improved transparency and oversight. Better understanding of sufficiency. Improved approach to pricing and uplifts. Local and sub regional collaboration. The new contracts will replace the current arrangements. We cannot transfer providers onto any new contracts so you will need to apply to join. Currently there are three 'lead authorities', Bolton, Cheshire East and Trafford. Current suppliers will have dealt with these authorities when they applied to join the purchasing system. All new arrangements will have Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) as the lead authority. There is a significant amount of work involved in developing the new arrangements. We want to ensure we have addressed as many of the challenges providers have already raised during consultation as possible. As soon as we have a timeline in place this will be shared, and we are working towards a contract award in August 2026. The GMCA will be hosting a series of engagement sessions throughout November 2026. These engagement opportunities are in place to support providers being able to effectively contribute to the development of the new regional contracts for the North West. NWADCS have welcomed the spirit in which providers have participated in the early market engagement and the progress this has brought in better understanding the challenges faced in the sector and how our contracting arrangements can support effective working relationships with authorities. We are seeking input from a range of providers, with a range of opportunities to contribute, recognising that in particular smaller providers may find it challenging to take the time to participate. Current Local Authorities Participating include - Blackburn with Darwen Council Blackpool Council Bolton Council Bury Council Cheshire East Council Cheshire West and Chester Council Cumberland Council Halton Borough Council Knowsley Council Lancashire County Council. Liverpool City Council Manchester City Council Oldham Council Rochdale Borough Council Salford City Council Sefton Council St Helens Council Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Trafford Council Warrington Borough Council Westmorland and Furness Council Wigan Council. Wirral Council Plus any company in which any of the above local authorities is a shareholder (as sole shareholder or as a co-shareholder with any of the above local authorities and/or any other contracting authority); and Which at the time meets the requirements of regulation 12(1) of the Public Contracts Regulation 2015. Further details and links on how to register are available on the chest procurement portal