Official UK procurement notice
Domestic Abuse Refuge and Refuge Based Support Services for Women and Children
Authority: Durham County Council (Local council)
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionDurham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations.
The aim of the service is to provide temporary safe accommodation within a refuge setting to victim-survivors of domestic abuse (and any dependent children/young people that are accommodated) that improves the safety, harm reduction, recovery and wellbeing of the victim-survivors. The commissioned service(s) should have a strong focus on partnership working and community engagement.
We welcome proposals from experienced providers who can demonstrate a commitment to survivor-led approaches, multi-agency collaboration, and continuous improvement. The
successful provider will play a vital role in helping us create a safe and supportive environment for those impacted by domestic abuse.
The opportunity is issued as multiple Lot contract based on geographical locations.
Suppliers can bid for a maximum of two geographical areas/lots.
Geographical Area Number of Units
Lot 1 North Durham 9
Lot 2 South Durham 8
Lot 3 East Durham 6
Lot 4 Central Durham 9
It should be noted that whilst premises that exceed the minimum required number of units detailed above may bid/be successful in contract award, the total annual settlement (the annual contract value) will remain as specified in the Tender documents.
Permitted Changes to Contract:
Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG.
Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions.
At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed above but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services.
The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities.
The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance re. domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government.
If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful
bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Apr 2030, 23:59 BST.
- How the procedure runs: Stage 1 - has been designed to assess the suitability of bidders to deliver the Council's domestic abuse refuge support service requirement(s), to exclude any unsuitable bidders, and to produce a shortlist of those bidders most suited to proceed to Stage 2. The Council will shortlist a maximum of 2 bidders only per Lot (assuming that there are at least 2 suitably qualified organisations per Lot). Stage 2 - has been designed to assess the property from with the refuge based domestic abuse support service will be delivered. Stage 3 - Bidders with the highest combined scored from Stage 1 and Stage 2 (stage 1 - 65% and Stage 2 - 35%) per Lot will be invited to meet with the Council to finalise the proposal to ensure this meets the Council's needs prior entering into contract (if required). This stage will be completed after the intend to award and standstill process.
CPV: Health and social work services
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · all with a published value (£4,115,875 together) · a supplier may bid for at most 2 and win at most 2 of themLot #1North DurhamAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,101,340
Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service in North Durham that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations.
The number of units required in North Durham is 9.
Lot #2South DurhamAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,028,970
Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service in South Durham that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations.
The number of units required in South Durham is 8.
Lot #3East DurhamAwardedRenewalPublished value£884,225
Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service in East Durham that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations.
The number of units required in East Durham is 6.
Lot #4Central DurhamAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,101,340
Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service in Central Durham that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations.
The number of units required in Central Durham is 9.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible 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)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 1 Apr 2030
- First published
- 13 Jun 2025, 14:24 BST
- Last source update
- 3 Feb 2026, 09:44 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 10 Dec 2025
- Authority reference
002487- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-056536- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-054893Find a Tender
- How it runs
Stage 1 - has been designed to assess the suitability of bidders to deliver the Council's domestic abuse refuge support service requirement(s), to exclude any unsuitable bidders, and to produce a shortlist of those bidders most suited to proceed to Stage 2. The Council will shortlist a maximum of 2 bidders only per Lot (assuming that there are at least 2 suitably qualified organisations per Lot).
Stage 2 - has been designed to assess the property from with the refuge based domestic abuse support service will be delivered.
Stage 3 - Bidders with the highest combined scored from Stage 1 and Stage 2 (stage 1 - 65% and Stage 2 - 35%) per Lot will be invited to meet with the Council to finalise the proposal to ensure this meets the Council's needs prior entering into contract (if required). This stage will be completed after the intend to award and standstill process.
- Risks
Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions.
The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance regarding domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 3 Nov 2025, 10:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 10 Oct 2025, 10:00 BST
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
13 Jun 2025 → 1 Apr 2026 · 11 dates- Planning notice published13 Jun 2025, 14:24 BST
- Market engagement27 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST
Seeking opinions from providers of this service to understand gaps in service. Teams discussions are available for discussion to remove barriers for SMEs. Questionnaires should be returned via the OPEN portal.
- Next notice expected8 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published15 Sept 2025, 12:34 BST
- Clarification questions by377 days ago10 Oct 2025, 10:00 BST
- Submission deadline352 days ago3 Nov 2025, 10:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by315 days ago10 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent309 days ago17 Dec 2025
- Standstill ends288 days ago6 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Latest notice published260 days ago3 Feb 2026, 09:44 GMT
- Contract starts204 days ago1 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
13 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 13 Jun 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published13 Jun 2025, 14:24 BSTUK2
- Planned procurement notice published6 Aug 2025, 14:47 BSTUK3
- Status changed to planned6 Aug 2025, 14:47 BST
- Procurement method changed6 Aug 2025, 14:47 BST
- Deadline published: 10 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST6 Aug 2025, 14:47 BST
- Tender notice published15 Sept 2025, 12:34 BSTUK4
- Published value published: £4,115,87515 Sept 2025, 12:34 BST
- Status changed to active15 Sept 2025, 12:34 BST
- Deadline moved to 3 Nov 2025, 10:00 GMT15 Sept 2025, 12:34 BST+23 days · was 10 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
- Contract award notice published17 Dec 2025, 13:33 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete17 Dec 2025, 13:33 GMT
- Contract signature expected16 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published3 Feb 2026, 09:44 GMTUK7
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2025-08: 1 release · 6 Aug 2025
- 2025-06: 1 release · 13 Jun 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · North Durham1 award | |||
| Thirteen Housing Group Limited1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 31 Mar 2031Extensions: The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval. · Options: Permitted Changes to Contract: Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions. At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed above but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services. The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities. The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance re. domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government. If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier. | £1,075,237 | 17 Dec 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · South Durham1 award | |||
| WEAR VALLEY WOMEN'S AID LIMITEDVCSE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 31 Mar 2031Extensions: The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval. · Options: Permitted Changes to Contract: Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions. At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed above but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services. The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities. The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance re. domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government. If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier. | £965,150 | 17 Dec 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · East Durham1 award | |||
| HARBOUR SUPPORT SERVICESVCSE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 31 Mar 2031Extensions: The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval. · Options: Permitted Changes to Contract: Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions. At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed above but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services. The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities. The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance re. domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government. If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier. | £888,598 | 17 Dec 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 4 · Central Durham1 award | |||
| HARBOUR SUPPORT SERVICESVCSE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 31 Mar 2031Extensions: The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval. · Options: Permitted Changes to Contract: Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions. At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed above but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services. The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities. The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance re. domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government. If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier. | £1,084,872 | 17 Dec 2025 | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 2 · WEAR VALLEY WOMEN'S AID LIMITEDVCSE
- Signed
- 2 Feb 2026
- Value
- £965,150
- Period
- 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 31 Mar 2031 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval.
- Options
- Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions. At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed in the Specification but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services. The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities. The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance regarding domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government. If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier.
Contract 1 · Thirteen Housing Group Limited
- Signed
- 30 Jan 2026
- Value
- £1,075,237
- Period
- 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 31 Mar 2031 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval.
- Options
- Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions. At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed in the Specification but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services. The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities. The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance regarding domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government. If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier.
Contract 3 · HARBOUR SUPPORT SERVICESVCSE
- Signed
- 30 Jan 2026
- Value
- £888,598
- Period
- 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 31 Mar 2031 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval.
- Options
- Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions. At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed in the Specification but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services. The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities. The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance regarding domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government. If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier.
Contract 4 · HARBOUR SUPPORT SERVICESVCSE
- Signed
- 30 Jan 2026
- Value
- £1,084,872
- Period
- 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 · up to 31 Mar 2031 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval.
- Options
- Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions. At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed in the Specification but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services. The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities. The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance regarding domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government. If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier.
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · North Durham | 3final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2 · South Durham | 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 1 | — |
| 3 · East Durham | 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 4 · Central Durham | 3final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
3 commercial parties on the notice- HARBOUR SUPPORT SERVICESAwarded supplier
- Thirteen Housing Group LimitedAwarded supplier
- WEAR VALLEY WOMEN'S AID LIMITEDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (12)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsTender documents can be accessed free of charge at www.open-uk.org under the project title 'Domestic Abuse Refuge and Refuge Based Support Services for Women and Children'
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Show 3 more notices
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender