Official UK procurement notice
Home Support - Principal Provider South Norfolk
Authority: Norfolk County Council (Local council)
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe Council has appointed one Principal provider to deliver home support services in each Primary Care Network (PCN) within Norfolk. The intention is that the Principal Providers will deliver 70% of the hours and the remaining 30% will be delivered by a small number of PCN framework providers, whose appointment is subject to a separate procurement.
This procurement was split into 4 lots, which covers PCNs in South Norfolk.
Bidders were restricted to winning one lot only.
- How the procedure runs: 1. Preliminary market engagement, develop procurement strategy, prepare tender notice, and associated tender documents. 2. Publish tender notice and any associated tender documents inviting requests to participate. 3. Following the participation period, receive requests to participate, assess conditions of participation, exclusions and any other objective criteria set to limit suppliers. 4. Inform suppliers who will not be invited to tender. 5. Invite those who have made it through the participation stage to tender by issuing the invitation to tender. 6. Following the tendering period, and once you have received the tenders, evaluate tenders against the award criteria and determine the most advantageous tender (MAT) 7. Inform suppliers of the outcome and issue assessment summaries 8. Publish the contract award notice (triggering the mandatory or voluntary standstill period where appropriate, with a minimum of 8 working days) 9. Publish the contract details notice and a copy of the contract (if required).
CPV: Social work and related services
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · all with a published value (£92,671,487 together) · win at most 1 of them · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Mid NorfolkAwardedRenewalPublished value£18,890,726
To deliver home support services as Principal Provider in Lot 1 area.
- Economic & financial standing
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation.
- Technical & professional ability
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Evaluation information
Grounds for exclusion as set out in Form B
Minimum standards including technical and professional capacity as set out in Form C
Willingness and ability to follow the dialogue process, as set out in Form D
Selection Criteria - Weighting of shortlisting questions (Form E)
1 Workforce 20%
2 Performance Management 20%
3 Voice of the Service User and Stakeholders
Part a 10% Part b 20% 30%
4 Safeguarding and Incident Reporting 20%
5 Managing and minimising disruption during periods of planned, or unplanned changes 10%
TOTAL 100%
Quality threshold (minimum acceptable overall quality score) 60 marks out of 100
We will reject any Application which does not achieve an overall score greater than or equal to the threshold stated in the Evaluation Data.
We will take the top 3 Applicants for each lot through to the next stage. If there is a draw for 3rd place, we will issue invitation to tender all those who came 3rd .
If, after shortlisting, any of the top 3 Applicants does not take up the offer to participate in the next stage they will take no further part in the procurement. In this event, and subject to meeting all the relevant shortlisting criteria, the Council may invite the next ranked Applicant(s) to the next stage in their stead.
Lot #2BrecklandAwardedRenewalPublished value£18,228,787
To deliver home support services as Principal Provider to lot 2 in this area.
- Economic & financial standing
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation.
- Technical & professional ability
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Evaluation information
Grounds for exclusion as set out in Form B
Minimum standards including technical and professional capacity as set out in Form C
Willingness and ability to follow the dialogue process, as set out in Form D
Selection Criteria - Weighting of shortlisting questions (Form E)
1 Workforce 20%
2 Performance Management 20%
3 Voice of the Service User and Stakeholders
Part a 10% Part b 20% 30%
4 Safeguarding and Incident Reporting 20%
5 Managing and minimising disruption during periods of planned, or unplanned changes 10%
TOTAL 100%
Quality threshold (minimum acceptable overall quality score) 60 marks out of 100
We will reject any Application which does not achieve an overall score greater than or equal to the threshold stated in the Evaluation Data.
We will take the top 3 Applicants for each lot through to the next stage. If there is a draw for 3rd place, we will issue invitation to tender all those who came 3rd .
If, after shortlisting, any of the top 3 Applicants does not take up the offer to participate in the next stage they will take no further part in the procurement. In this event, and subject to meeting all the relevant shortlisting criteria, the Council may invite the next ranked Applicant(s) to the next stage in their stead.
Lot #3Kett's OakAwardedRenewalPublished value£29,176,243
To deliver home support services as Principal Provider in Lot 3 area.
- Economic & financial standing
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation.
- Technical & professional ability
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Evaluation information
Grounds for exclusion as set out in Form B
Minimum standards including technical and professional capacity as set out in Form C
Willingness and ability to follow the dialogue process, as set out in Form D
Selection Criteria - Weighting of shortlisting questions (Form E)
1 Workforce 20%
2 Performance Management 20%
3 Voice of the Service User and Stakeholders
Part a 10% Part b 20% 30%
4 Safeguarding and Incident Reporting 20%
5 Managing and minimising disruption during periods of planned, or unplanned changes 10%
TOTAL 100%
Quality threshold (minimum acceptable overall quality score) 60 marks out of 100
We will reject any Application which does not achieve an overall score greater than or equal to the threshold stated in the Evaluation Data.
We will take the top 3 Applicants for each lot through to the next stage. If there is a draw for 3rd place, we will issue invitation to tender all those who came 3rd .
If, after shortlisting, any of the top 3 Applicants does not take up the offer to participate in the next stage they will take no further part in the procurement. In this event, and subject to meeting all the relevant shortlisting criteria, the Council may invite the next ranked Applicant(s) to the next stage in their stead.
Lot #4SNHIPAwardedRenewalPublished value£26,375,731
To deliver home support services as Principal Provider in Lot 4 area.
- Economic & financial standing
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation.
- Technical & professional ability
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Evaluation information
Grounds for exclusion as set out in Form B
Minimum standards including technical and professional capacity as set out in Form C
Willingness and ability to follow the dialogue process, as set out in Form D
Selection Criteria - Weighting of shortlisting questions (Form E)
1 Workforce 20%
2 Performance Management 20%
3 Voice of the Service User and Stakeholders
Part a 10% Part b 20% 30%
4 Safeguarding and Incident Reporting 20%
5 Managing and minimising disruption during periods of planned, or unplanned changes 10%
TOTAL 100%
Quality threshold (minimum acceptable overall quality score) 60 marks out of 100
We will reject any Application which does not achieve an overall score greater than or equal to the threshold stated in the Evaluation Data.
We will take the top 3 Applicants for each lot through to the next stage. If there is a draw for 3rd place, we will issue invitation to tender all those who came 3rd .
If, after shortlisting, any of the top 3 Applicants does not take up the offer to participate in the next stage they will take no further part in the procurement. In this event, and subject to meeting all the relevant shortlisting criteria, the Council may invite the next ranked Applicant(s) to the next stage in their stead.
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).
Published sub-criteria (5)
- Delivery Model: 25%
- Transition and Implementation: 25%
- Changes in Demand: 10%
- Price per hour: 30%
- Social Value: 10%
Published award criteria (5)
- Delivery Model
- Transition and Implementation
- Changes in Demand
- Social Value
- Price per hour
- Economic & financial standing
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation.
- Technical & professional ability
Conditions of participation are in the Tender documents and include past performance, references, economic and financial standing, Modern Slavery Act requirements, health and safety, and compliance with equality legislation
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Evaluation information
Grounds for exclusion as set out in Form B
Minimum standards including technical and professional capacity as set out in Form C
Willingness and ability to follow the dialogue process, as set out in Form D
Selection Criteria - Weighting of shortlisting questions (Form E)
1 Workforce 20%
2 Performance Management 20%
3 Voice of the Service User and Stakeholders
Part a 10% Part b 20% 30%
4 Safeguarding and Incident Reporting 20%
5 Managing and minimising disruption during periods of planned, or unplanned changes 10%
TOTAL 100%
Quality threshold (minimum acceptable overall quality score) 60 marks out of 100
We will reject any Application which does not achieve an overall score greater than or equal to the threshold stated in the Evaluation Data.
We will take the top 3 Applicants for each lot through to the next stage. If there is a draw for 3rd place, we will issue invitation to tender all those who came 3rd .
If, after shortlisting, any of the top 3 Applicants does not take up the offer to participate in the next stage they will take no further part in the procurement. In this event, and subject to meeting all the relevant shortlisting criteria, the Council may invite the next ranked Applicant(s) to the next stage in their stead.
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
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
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 31 Mar 2025, 15:21 BST
- Last source update
- 19 Nov 2025, 11:34 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 3 Nov 2025
- Authority reference
NCCT43044- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-029083- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fac3Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
As per the terms and conditions issued with this procurement
- How it runs
- Preliminary market engagement, develop procurement strategy, prepare tender notice, and associated tender documents.
- Publish tender notice and any associated tender documents inviting requests to participate.
- Following the participation period, receive requests to participate, assess conditions of participation, exclusions and any other objective criteria set to limit suppliers.
- Inform suppliers who will not be invited to tender.
- Invite those who have made it through the participation stage to tender by issuing the invitation to tender.
- Following the tendering period, and once you have received the tenders, evaluate tenders against the award criteria and determine the most advantageous tender (MAT)
- Inform suppliers of the outcome and issue assessment summaries
- Publish the contract award notice (triggering the mandatory or voluntary standstill period where appropriate, with a minimum of 8 working days)
- Publish the contract details notice and a copy of the contract (if required).
- Risks
Please note that Norfolk County Council has joined the government's Devolution Priority Programme.
This process has the potential to lead to the establishment of a county combined authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor. A consultation is under way.
Government has also invited participation by Norfolk in Local Government Review. This process has the potential to lead to unitary local government in Norfolk. One of these changes could happen without the other. The contract may be assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor. The County Council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 7 Jul 2025, 08:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 7 Jul 2025, 08:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
This procurement will be managed electronically via the Council`s e-procurement system. To participate in this procurement and gain access to documents when they are available, applicants must first be registered on the system at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Buyer… ↗. Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under the `tenders` section and `express an interest` in this tender. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +44 8442728810 or e-mailing [email protected].
Timeline
31 Mar 2025 → 26 Jan 2026 · 9 dates- Planning notice published31 Mar 2025, 15:21 BST
- Tender notice published2 Jun 2025, 11:18 BST
- Next notice expected2 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST
- Submission deadline7 Jul 2025, 08:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent360 days ago28 Oct 2025
- Award decision expected by353 days ago3 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Standstill ends349 days ago7 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Latest notice published337 days ago19 Nov 2025, 11:34 GMT
- Contract starts270 days ago26 Jan 2026
Notice history
12 events · 6 releases on Find a Tender · since 31 Mar 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published31 Mar 2025, 15:21 BSTUK2
- Pipeline notice published24 May 2025, 12:13 BSTUK1
- Status changed to planned24 May 2025, 12:13 BST
- Tender notice published2 Jun 2025, 11:18 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £92,671,4872 Jun 2025, 11:18 BSTwas £140,000,000
- Status changed to active2 Jun 2025, 11:18 BST
- Procurement method changed2 Jun 2025, 11:18 BST
- Tender notice published2 Jun 2025, 11:28 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published28 Oct 2025, 13:12 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete28 Oct 2025, 13:12 GMT
- Contract signature expected17 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published19 Nov 2025, 11:34 GMTUK7
Routine re-releases (6)
- 2025-06: 1 release · 2 Jun 2025
- 2025-05: 1 release · 24 May 2025
- 2025-03: 1 release · 31 Mar 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Mid Norfolk1 award | |||
| FIRST CHOICE HOME CARE LTD5 Jan 2026 – 4 Jan 2031 · up to 4 Jan 2036Extensions: The Contract may be extended by up to 60 months at the Council's discretion. The start date of the contract is an estimate , based on the mobilisation and transition. The requirement is to commence between January and 1st April 2026. Values included in the notice are estimates only as the value is dependent on care needs in the area. | £18,892,726 | 28 Oct 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Breckland1 award | |||
| Universal Care Services (UK) Limited5 Jan 2026 – 4 Jan 2031 · up to 4 Jan 2036Extensions: The Contract may be extended by up to 60 months at the Council's discretion. The contract start date is an estimate. The actual date will be based on the mobilisation and transition and is expected to be between January 2026 and April 2026. Values included in the notice are estimates only as the value is dependent on care needs in the area. | £18,228,787 | 28 Oct 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Kett's Oak1 award | |||
| Norvic Healthcare (Anglia) LimitedSME5 Jan 2026 – 4 Jan 2031 · up to 4 Jan 2036Extensions: The Contract may be extended by up to 60 months at the Council's discretion. The contract start date is an estimate. The actual date will be based on the mobilisation and transition and is expected to be between January 2026 and April 2026. Values included in the notice are estimates only as the value is dependent on care needs in the area. | £29,176,243 | 28 Oct 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 4 · SNHIP1 award | |||
| Cera Care Operations Limited5 Jan 2026 – 4 Jan 2031 · up to 4 Jan 2036Extensions: The Contract may be extended by up to 60 months at the Council's discretion. The contract start date is an estimate. The actual date will be based on the mobilisation and transition and is expected to be between January 2026 and April 2026. Values included in the notice are estimates only as the value is dependent on care needs in the area. | £26,375,731 | 28 Oct 2025 | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 1 · FIRST CHOICE HOME CARE LTD
- Signed
- 18 Nov 2025
- Value
- £18,892,726
- Period
- 5 Jan 2026 – 4 Jan 2031 · up to 4 Jan 2036 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The Contract may be extended by up to 60 months at the Council's discretion. The start date of the contract is an estimate , based on the mobilisation and transition. The requirement is to commence between January and 1st April 2026. Values included in the notice are estimates only as the value is dependent on care needs in the area.
Contract 2 · Universal Care Services (UK) Limited
- Signed
- 18 Nov 2025
- Value
- £18,228,787
- Period
- 5 Jan 2026 – 4 Jan 2031 · up to 4 Jan 2036 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The Contract may be extended by up to 60 months at the Council's discretion. The start date of the contract is an estimate , based on the mobilisation and transition. The requirement is to commence between January and 1st April 2026. Values included in the notice are estimates only as the value is dependent on care needs in the area.
Contract 3 · Norvic Healthcare (Anglia) LimitedSME
- Signed
- 18 Nov 2025
- Value
- £29,176,243
- Period
- 5 Jan 2026 – 4 Jan 2031 · up to 4 Jan 2036 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The Contract may be extended by up to 60 months at the Council's discretion. The start date of the contract is an estimate , based on the mobilisation and transition. The requirement is to commence between January and 1st April 2026. Values included in the notice are estimates only as the value is dependent on care needs in the area.
Contract 4 · Cera Care Operations Limited
- Signed
- 18 Nov 2025
- Value
- £26,375,731
- Period
- 5 Jan 2026 – 4 Jan 2031 · up to 4 Jan 2036 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The Contract may be extended by up to 60 months at the Council's discretion. The start date of the contract is an estimate , based on the mobilisation and transition. The requirement is to commence between January and 1st April 2026. Values included in the notice are estimates only as the value is dependent on care needs in the area.
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Mid Norfolk | 5final-stage tenders | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Breckland | 5final-stage tenders | 5 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Kett's Oak | 5final-stage tenders | 4 | 0 | — |
| 4 · SNHIP | 3final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonFIRST CHOICE HOME CARE LTD · East of England · 1, 2, 4
- wonUNIVERSAL CARE SERVICES (UK) LIMITED · Greater London · 2, 1, 3
- wonNORVIC HEALTHCARE (ANGLIA) LIMITEDSME · East of England · 3, 1, 2
- wonCERA CARE OPERATIONS LIMITED · East of England · 4, 3
- did not winOPTIMALCAREPLUS LIMITEDSME · East of England · 1, 2, 3
- did not winVERITY HEALTHCARE LIMITEDSME · Greater London · all lots
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
Bidders & participating suppliers
6 commercial parties on the notice · 4 awarded- CERA CARE OPERATIONS LIMITEDAwarded supplier
- FIRST CHOICE HOME CARE LTDAwarded supplier
- NORVIC HEALTHCARE (ANGLIA) LIMITEDAwarded supplier
- OPTIMALCAREPLUS LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- UNIVERSAL CARE SERVICES (UK) LIMITEDAwarded supplier
- VERITY HEALTHCARE LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
Official documents & specifications (17)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications This is the ITT and you will only be required to complete this, if you are successful at the first stage.
- Bidding documents and specifications
- Bidding documents and specifications
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 4 more notices
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender