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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Kent Carers Support Service

Kent County Council · Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 23:38.

Opportunity overview

Kent County Council are seeking to re-procure a Kent Carers Support Service which is aimed at supporting unpaid carers within the county. This new service will replace two current services; The Carers Community Navigation Service and Carers Short Breaks service. Key Areas of Service Delivery: Building from the Kent Adult Carers Strategy the following key areas of service delivery have been identified for the Kent Carers Support Service: i) Identifying and Recognising Carers, including Seldom-Heard Carers ii) Empowering Carers: information, advice and training in ways that they can understand iii) Prevention and Wellbeing especially for lifestyle risk factors, mental health and information and advice iv) Support for Young Carers' Transition to Adulthood v) Carers Assessment vi) Carers Breaks vii) Emergency Breaks viii) Carers Personal Budgets

Awarded to

Amounts belong to published awards or contracts. Where several suppliers share one value, it is labelled as shared and is not a supplier-specific allocation.

Imago Community

Matched by number
Published award value
£18.5m
Awarded
31 Oct 2025
Award ID
1
Status
pending
Identifier
GB-COH 05354482
Location
TUNBRIDGE WELLS, UKJ46, TN1 1LS, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV85000000 — Health and social work services

Lots

  • Kent Carers Support Service - East Kent£23.5m
  • Kent Carers Support Service - West Kent£23.7m

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
CN250345
Status
complete
Above Threshold
Yes
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
How to submit
All tenders must be submitted through the Kent Business Portal. https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure

Covered By

GPA

Procedure

Features
Kent County Council intend on using an Open Procedure (Light Touch). Submission Requirements: • Bidders are required to submit the Conditions of Participation, Quality Questionnaire and Pricing Schedule together in one stage. Evaluation Process: 1. Conditions of Participation: • All submitted Conditions of Participation will be evaluated and moderated first. • Only those bidders who meet the mandatory requirements and Minimum Quality Threshold (MQT) for their Procurement Specific Questions (PSQ) will proceed to have their Quality Questionnaire and Pricing Schedule evaluated. • Bidders who do not meet the MQT will be excluded from further evaluation, and feedback will be provided. 2. Quality Questionnaire and Pricing Schedule: • For bidders who pass the Conditions of Participation stage, their Quality Questionnaire will evaluated and moderated. • Tenderers who pass the MQT for their quality questions will then be evaluated on price. 3. Final Scoring and Ranking: • Tenderers are ranked according to their submitted bids in their pricing schedule. The lowest bid above the MQT will be ranked 1st and become the councils' preferred supplier.
Is Accelerated
Yes
Accelerated Rationale
Light touch contract

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Lot Details

Award Criteria Details
Bidders may only bid for one lot.
Maximum Lots Bid Per Supplier
1
Maximum Lots Awarded Per Supplier
1

Expected award period

Ends
25 Nov 2025, 23:59

Tender Period

Ends
1 Aug 2025, 16:30

Communication

Future Notice Date
27 May 2025, 23:59

Enquiry period

Ends
25 Jul 2025, 12:00

Special regime

lightTouch

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Kent Carers Support Service - East Kent
Status
complete
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Kent Carers Support Service to be delivered in the following geographical areas: Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Thanet, Folkestone and Hythe.

Value

Amount
23,522,800
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
28,227,360

Renewal

Description
Potential extension of 2 x up to 24 months is available

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Weighting Description
The council have chosen to use the Lowest Total Value above Minimum Quality Threshold. Please view tender documents for full Award Criteria.

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Service Model
Type
quality
Description
Please demonstrate your service model and how it will support delivery of the specification.
Criterion 2
Name
Carers Question
Type
quality
Description
How will you ensure carers are able to access the information and services they require? How will you ensure the information, advice and guidance is inclusive and accessible?
Criterion 3
Name
Geographical understanding
Type
quality
Description
Please demonstrate your understanding of the Lot you are tendering for, and how you will tailor your service to meet the needs of the people within that geographical area.
Criterion 4
Name
Quality Assurance
Type
quality
Description
Describe your approach to ensuring high quality service delivery and ongoing improvement throughout the duration of the contract.
Criterion 5
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
Describe how your organisation, in delivering this contract will contribute to building a resilient local community and strengthen community support organisations.
Criterion 6
Name
Mobilisation
Type
quality
Description
Please describe how you will mobilise this contract.
Criterion 7
Name
Pricing Schedule
Type
price
Description
Bidders who meet or exceed the Minimum Quality Threshold (MQT) will then be ranked on price alone. The council will award the contract to the bidder with the Lowest Total Price above Minimum Quality Threshold.

Contract period

Ends
31 Mar 2029, 23:59
Starts
1 Apr 2026, 00:00
Max Extent Date
31 Mar 2033, 23:59
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Kent Carers Support Service - West Kent
Status
complete
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Kent Carers Support Service to be delivered in the following geographical areas: Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells and Swale.

Value

Amount
23,697,800
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
28,437,360

Renewal

Description
Potential extension of 2 x up to 24 months is available

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Award criteria

Weighting Description
The council have chosen to use the Lowest Total Value above Minimum Quality Threshold. Please view tender documents for full Award Criteria.

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Service Model
Type
quality
Description
Please demonstrate your service model and how it will support delivery of the specification.
Criterion 2
Name
Carers Question
Type
quality
Description
How will you ensure carers are able to access the information and services they require? How will you ensure the information, advice and guidance is inclusive and accessible?
Criterion 3
Name
Geographical understanding
Type
quality
Description
Please demonstrate your understanding of the Lot you are tendering for, and how you will tailor your service to meet the needs of the people within that geographical area.
Criterion 4
Name
Quality Assurance
Type
quality
Description
Describe your approach to ensuring high quality service delivery and ongoing improvement throughout the duration of the contract.
Criterion 5
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
Describe how your organisation, in delivering this contract will contribute to building a resilient local community and strengthen community support organisations.
Criterion 6
Name
Mobilisation
Type
quality
Description
Please describe how you will mobilise this contract.
Criterion 7
Name
Pricing Schedule
Type
price
Description
Bidders who meet or exceed the Minimum Quality Threshold (MQT) will then be ranked on price alone. The council will award the contract to the bidder with the Lowest Total Price above Minimum Quality Threshold.

Contract period

Ends
31 Mar 2029, 23:59
Starts
1 Apr 2026, 00:00
Max Extent Date
31 Mar 2033, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKJ
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKJ
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 3
Region
UKJ4
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Health and social work services
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKJ4
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Health and social work services

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Entry 2
Id
L-1
Description
All Tenders must be submitted through the Kent Business Portal. All Tender documents will be available on the Kent Business Portal.
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Entry 3
Id
036237-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
30 Jun 2025, 16:31

Planning and budget

No Engagement Notice Rationale
Market engagement was carried out in July 2024 which has helped shape the service provision.

Documents

Entry 1
Id
023718-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK1
Description
Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
plannedProcurementNotice
Published
21 May 2025, 11:32
Entry 2
Id
023721-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK1
Description
Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
plannedProcurementNotice
Published
21 May 2025, 11:36

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PLDL-8938-YGYW
Name
Kent County Council

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKJ45
Country
GB
Locality
Maidstone
Postal Code
ME14 1XQ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
County Hall

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Identifier

Id
PLDL-8938-YGYW
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Name
Nathan Sills
Organisation 2
Id
GB-COH-03449624
Name
Involve Kent

Roles

tenderer

Address

Region
UKJ45
Country
GB
Locality
Maidstone
Postal Code
ME14 5PP
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
30 Turkey Court Turkey Mill, Ashford Road

Details

Vcse
Yes
Scale
sme

Identifier

Id
03449624
Scheme
GB-COH
Organisation 3
Id
GB-COH-04144820
Name
Carers First

Roles

tenderer

Address

Region
UKJ41
Country
GB
Locality
Rochester
Postal Code
ME2 4TG
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Unit 4, Tolgate Lane

Details

Vcse
Yes
Scale
sme

Identifier

Id
04144820
Scheme
GB-COH
Organisation 4
Id
GB-COH-05354482
Name
Imago Community

Roles

supplier
tenderer

Address

Region
UKJ46
Country
GB
Locality
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Postal Code
TN1 1LS
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
17-19 MONSON ROAD

Details

Vcse
Yes
Scale
sme
Sheltered Workshop
No
Public Service Mission Organization
No

Identifier

Id
05354482
Scheme
GB-COH

Contact

Award information

Award 1
Id
1
Date
31 Oct 2025, 00:00
Title
Kent Carers Support Service: Lot 2 - West Kent
Status
pending
Has Renewal
Yes
Above Threshold
Yes
Main Procurement Category
services
Assessment Summaries Date Sent
3 Nov 2025, 00:00

Items

Item 1
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKJ4
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85100000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Health services
Entry 2
Id
85300000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work and related services

Value

Amount
18,530,235.08
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
22,236,282.11

Renewal

Description
Kent County Council has included 2x24month extension periods which may be executed at the council's discretion.

Documents

Entry 1
Id
070631-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK6
Description
Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
awardNotice
Published
3 Nov 2025, 17:46

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-COH-05354482
Name
Imago Community

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
1
Type
futureSignatureDate
Status
scheduled
Due
28 Nov 2025, 23:59

Related lots

2

Contract period

Ends
31 Mar 2029, 23:59
Starts
1 Apr 2026, 00:00
Max Extent Date
31 Mar 2033, 23:59

Standstill Period

Ends
12 Nov 2025, 23:59
Award 2
Id
-1
Status
active
Final Status Date
3 Nov 2025, 00:00

Documents

Entry 1
Id
070631-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK6
Description
Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
awardNotice
Published
3 Nov 2025, 17:46

Related lots

1

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Maidstone · UKJ45 · ME14 1XQ · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKJ4 · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKJ · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-04fe04-2025-11-03T17:46:15ZPipeline notice on Find a Tender ·