TenderlineUK
Procurement Intelligence
Search
Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 18 Jul 2025, 15:30 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Contract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services

Official notice

Authority: Queen's University Belfast (Education)

2 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdLight touch regimeSME suitable
Sectors: Health & Social Care (85) Delivery: UK
Published estimate£2,166,667total for 2 lots · £2,600,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 13 Aug 2025awarded 11 Nov 2025
Awarded to SPECTRUM WELLNESS UK LTD2 awards
Contract term 1 yrends 10 Jan 2027 · up to 10 Jan 2031 with extensions · starts 11 Jan 2026

What is being bought2 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Queen's have a requirement for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services. The University's requirements have been spilt into the following two Lots:

Lot 1: Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme

The University is fully committed to the wellbeing of its staff and recognises that many staff have competing demands on their time and resources, both inside and outside work.

The importance of achieving and maintaining a satisfactory work/life balance is fundamental to the maintenance of good health and wellbeing, and counselling has been shown to be of benefit to those who are in need of support and guidance on a wide variety of personal, social and occupational issues.

The Employee Assistance Programme will supplement the other sources of support to staff which include their line management, the People and Culture Directorate, the Occupational Health Service, Trade Union advisers etc.

The current service usage includes approximately 720 personal counselling sessions delivered to approximately 160 new clients per year, using a maximum six session counselling model. Counselling is mainly delivered face to face, but telephone and online video sessions must also be allowed.

Lot 2: Provision of a Student Counselling Hub

By working in partnership with the University's Student Wellbeing and Accessible Learning Support the Supplier will be required to mobilise their diverse and inclusive workforce to provide an effective, timely, confidential and professional psychological therapy and support service through a 'matched stepped care model'.

In addition, the Supplier will have responsible for:

  • Appropriate signposting and onward referral to NHS or third sector providers for specialist or longer-term support for complex cases.
  • Clinical governance
  • Service marketing and accessibility
  • Delivery in partnership with the University

Please note that provision of services under Lot 2 is to Queen's University registered students only and does not include students from University Colleges or INTO Queen's.

Suppliers are invited to tender for one or both Lots. There are no restrictions on how many Lots a Supplier can apply for. Each Lot will be evaluated independently against the evaluation criteria as set out in the Tender Response Pack and Queen's reserves the right to award each lot separately. The award in respect of each Lot shall be made to one Supplier.

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 19 Jul 2030, 00:59 BST.

CPV: Counselling services · Guidance and counselling services

Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure

2 lots · all with a published value (£2,166,667 together)
Lot #1Provision of an Employee Assistance ProgrammeAwardedRenewal 1 yrPublished value£291,667

The University is seeking to appoint a Supplier to deliver an Employee Assistance Programme in Queen's University Belfast.

The Supplier must provide the core requirements which must include, but not limited to:

  1. Telephone Triage and Support Services
  2. Counselling Services
  3. Online Wellbeing Support Hub
  4. Trauma and Critical Incident Support
  5. Management Support Services
  6. Manager support and advice
  7. Case Management
  8. Health and wellbeing promotion and awareness
  9. Publicity and awareness of service

The goal is to:

  • provide professional, confidential, and accessible support services to improve staff wellbeing.
  • focus on mental health, financial wellbeing, legal guidance, and workplace challenges,
  • ensure employees receive timely and effective support.

This aligns with Queen's commitment to fostering a healthy and engaged workforce.

Contract period: 11 Jan 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 (1 yr) · up to 10 Jan 2031 with extensionsValue: £291,667 exc. VAT · £350,000 inc. VAT
Extensions: For both Lot 1 and Lot 2, the Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months . This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
85312300 Guidance and counselling services85312320 Counselling services
Lot #2Provision of a Student Counselling HubAwardedRenewal 1 yrPublished value£1,875,000

The University is seeking to appoint a supplier to deliver Student Counselling services via a Student Counselling Hub.

The goal is to :

  • complement existing nontherapeutic supports offered through University support services.
  • Deliver a psychological therapy and support service through a 'matched stepped care model' that empowers students as healthy learners to manage their mental health, build resilience, and develop practical coping strategies.

Supports required include:

o On-line self-help resource platform that equips students with self-help tools to manage their mental health independently.

o Guided self-help to support students to implement strategies

o Short-term, solution-focused talking therapy counselling for students

o 24/7 helpline

o low intensity group work and psycho education workshops

o "Out of Hours" Support calls

In addition, the Supplier will have responsible for:

  • Appropriate signposting and onward referral to NHS or third sector providers for specialist or longer-term support for complex cases.
  • Clinical governance
  • Service marketing and accessibility
  • Delivery in partnership with the University
Contract period: 11 Jan 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 (1 yr) · up to 10 Jan 2031 with extensionsValue: £1,875,000 exc. VAT · £2,250,000 inc. VAT
Extensions: For both Lot 1 and Lot 2, the Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months . This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
85312300 Guidance and counselling services85312320 Counselling services

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored
Lot distribution rule: Suppliers are invited to tender for one or both Lots. There are no restrictions on how many Lots a Supplier can apply for. Each Lot will be evaluated independently against the evaluation criteria as set out in the Tender Response Pack and Queen's reserves the right to award each lot separately. The award in respect of each Lot shall be made to one Supplier.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Light touch regime
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA, CPTPP)
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 19 Jul 2030
First published
18 Jul 2025, 15:30 BST
Last source update
30 Jan 2026, 09:25 GMT
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 10 Oct 2025
Authority reference
250083
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-041384
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Counselling servicesGuidance and counselling services
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05624a Find a Tender
Contract terms summary

Payment for the services delivered is to be invoiced in arrears, on satisfactory completion of the requirements outlined in a respective monthly service delivery report. Invoices must quote the relevant University purchase order number. Invoices without a purchase order may be rejected.

Review and risk notes
Risks

It is known that there may be potential development to the service which may result in additional requirement, which cannot be adequately quantified or estimated at this time.

Whilst it is not possible to understand at the point of writing the specification what the additional service requirement might be, what impact this may have on the performance of the contract or what the level of impact may be; it is recognised that this may potentially happen in future and as such may lead to a modification of the contract to facilitate these risks arising.

The potential developments may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Expansion of Service Coverage
  • Increase in the number of staff, departments, or geographical locations to be supported due to organisational growth.
  1. Additional Service Channels
  • Introduction of new modes of delivery (e.g. digital/virtual wellbeing services, mobile apps, on-site clinics, or satellite drop-ins).
  1. Increased Volume of Demand
  • A significant rise in the number of service users due to heightened awareness, increased internal promotion, or external factors (e.g. public health crises, organisational change, legal requirements).
  1. Enhanced Data and Reporting Requirements
  • More comprehensive reporting, outcomes tracking, or integration with organisational dashboards and systems.
  1. Training and Capacity Building
  • Delivery of increased volumes or broader scope of training sessions (e.g. manager training, MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) refreshers, or targeted sessions for specific staff groups).
  1. Contract Management and Governance
  • Additional engagement in performance monitoring meetings, audits, or collaborative development of policies and procedures.
  1. Compliance with Legislative Changes
  • Adaptations to meet new or amended legal or regulatory requirements related to health and wellbeing, EDI, or occupational health.
  1. Expansion of Service Coverage
  • Growth in number of students in Queen's or addition of University sites to be supported due to the development of Queen's University regionally and internationally. Indicative increase: Up to 20% more sessions than the original annual volume.
  1. World Events
  • Increase in number of service uptake due to unforeseen geopolitical events such as global pandemic
  1. Change in Balance between Queen's contracted counsellors and sessional counsellors
  • An increase in the number of counselling sessions required from the supplier, driven by a change in Queen's staffing levels. Indicative change: by +/- 30% of estimated annual sessions.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Submission deadline
13 Aug 2025, 16:00 BST
Clarification deadline
6 Aug 2025, 16:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Please submit response via in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelf… ↗

Timeline

18 Jul 2025 → 30 Jan 2026 · 8 dates
  1. Tender notice published
    18 Jul 2025, 15:30 BST
  2. Clarification questions by
    6 Aug 2025, 16:00 BST
  3. Submission deadline
    13 Aug 2025, 16:00 BST
  4. Award decision expected by376 days ago
    10 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
  5. Assessment summaries sent345 days ago
    11 Nov 2025
  6. Standstill ends334 days ago
    21 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
  7. Contract starts284 days ago
    11 Jan 2026
  8. Latest notice published265 days ago
    30 Jan 2026, 09:25 GMT

Notice history

12 events · 8 releases on Find a Tender · since 18 Jul 2025
  1. Tender notice published
    18 Jul 2025, 15:30 BST
    UK4
  2. Tender notice published
    18 Jul 2025, 15:36 BST
    UK4
  3. Deadline moved to 13 Aug 2025, 16:00 BST
    18 Jul 2025, 15:36 BST
    +0 days · was 13 Aug 2025, 17:00 BST
  4. Contract award notice published
    12 Nov 2025, 08:54 GMT
    UK6
  5. Status changed to complete
    12 Nov 2025, 08:54 GMT
  6. Contract award notice published
    12 Nov 2025, 08:56 GMT
    UK6
  7. Contract award notice published
    20 Nov 2025, 15:54 GMT
    UK6
  8. Contract signature expected
    25 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled
  9. Contract award notice published
    27 Nov 2025, 16:55 GMT
    UK6
  10. Contract award notice published
    2 Dec 2025, 13:19 GMT
    UK6
  11. Contract signature expected
    11 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled
  12. Contract details notice published
    30 Jan 2026, 09:25 GMT
    UK7
Published amendments (1)

Published Closing time is not accurate, the correct closing time is 16:00pm

Routine re-releases (8)
  • 2025-11: 3 releases · 12 Nov 2025, 20 Nov 2025
  • 2025-07: 2 releases · 18 Jul 2025, 18 Jul 2025

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 2
Awarded value £2,415,0002 awards exc. VAT
Bids received 61 from SMEs
Named bidders 1published on the award notice
Contracts signed 2latest 22 Dec 2025
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme1 award
SPECTRUM WELLNESS UK LTDSMEContract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services, Lot 1 - Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme11 Jan 2026 – 10 Jan 2029 · up to 10 Jan 2031Extensions: The Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months . This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance. · Options: options to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance. · Amended: The number of Suppliers assessed was wrong due to technical error · Amended: Extension to standstill period · Amended: Extension to standstill period for Lot 2 only · Amended: Extension to standstill period for Lot 2 only£300,00011 Nov 2025Awarded
Lot 2 · Provision of a Student Counselling Hub1 award
SPECTRUM WELLNESS UK LTDSMEContract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services, Lot 2 - Provision of a Student Counselling Hub11 Jan 2026 – 10 Jan 2029 · up to 10 Jan 2031Extensions: The Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months . This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance. · Options: options to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance. · Amended: The number of Suppliers assessed was wrong due to technical error · Amended: Extension to standstill period · Amended: Extension to standstill period for Lot 2 only · Amended: Extension to standstill period for Lot 2 only£2,115,00011 Nov 2025Awarded

Contracts

  • Contract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services, Lot 2 - Provision of a Student Counselling Hub · SPECTRUM WELLNESS UK LTDSME

    Signed
    22 Dec 2025
    Value
    £2,115,000
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 31 Mar 2031 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    The Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months . This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
    Options
    options to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
    10 agreed KPIs: Access to appointment · Face to face therapy · Out of Hours Support Call …
    • Access to appointment
    • Face to face therapy
    • Out of Hours Support Call
    • Self-help education
    • Out of Hours helpline
    • Risk management protocol
    • Reporting
    • Risk Management Reports
    • Contract Management
    • Impact of Intervention

  • Contract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services, Lot 1 - Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme · SPECTRUM WELLNESS UK LTDSME

    Signed
    1 Dec 2025
    Value
    £300,000
    Period
    11 Jan 2026 – 10 Jan 2029 · up to 10 Jan 2031 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    The Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months . This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
    Options
    The Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months . This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
    8 agreed KPIs: Counselling session arranged within 48 hours of contact · First counselling session to take place within 5 days of referral · Fast track - first counselling session to take place within 24 hours of contact …
    • Counselling session arranged within 48 hours of contact
    • First counselling session to take place within 5 days of referral
    • Fast track - first counselling session to take place within 24 hours of contact
    • Immediate telephone support provided
    • First counselling session to take place within 24 hours of contact
    • A minimum of 6 counselling sessions offered
    • Employee notified of Change of counsellor as soon as possible, and at least 24 hours before counselling session
    • Annual satisfaction surveys of the services undertaken with a 50% response from University staff.

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme3final-stage tenders · 4 at stage one10—
2 · Provision of a Student Counselling Hub3final-stage tenders · 4 at stage one00—

Who bid

Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Queen's University Belfast

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central governmentNorthern Irish devolved regulations apply GB-NIC: 101788 · GB-PPON: PMQQ-8477-XTZM University Rd, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1NNContact name, email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • SPECTRUM WELLNESS UK LTDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 11815511GB-PPON: PMYZ-3977-MRXZ Habib House, 9 Stevenson Square, Manchester, North West, M1 1DBContact email

Official documents & specifications (15)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Show 6 more notices
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender