Official UK procurement notice
Holistic Options for Promoting REsilience (HOPE) Independent School Counselling and Therapy Service - Belfast Areas A B and C
Authority: Education Authority (Central government)
Sectors: Health & Social Care (85) Delivery: Northern Ireland (UKN)
Published estimate£2,000,000envelope for 3 lots · £2,400,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 2 Jul 2025awarded 16 Jul 2025
Awarded to MAKE A MELODY LTD.3 awards
Contract term 2 yrsends 31 Aug 2027 · up to 31 Aug 2029 with extensions · starts 1 Sept 2025
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionProvision of the Holistic Options for Promoting REsilience (HOPE) Independent School
Counselling and Therapy Service in Post Primary Mainstream schools in three geographical
locations across Belfast for a period of 2 years with the options to extend for any further
period(s) of up to and including 24 months.
CPV: Counselling services · Guidance and counselling services · Guidance services
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value (£2,000,000 together) · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Belfast AAwardedRenewalPublished value£685,000
Belfast A covers the following schools within the geographical area
Aquinas Grammar School, Belfast
Ashfield Boys' High School, Belfast
Ashfield Girls' High School, Belfast
Bloomfield Collegiate School, Belfast
Campbell College, Belfast
Dundonald High School, Dundonald
Grosvenor Grammar School, Belfast
Our Lady & St Patrick's College, Belfast
St Joseph's College, Belfast
Strathearn School, Belfast
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience of managing the delivery of a counselling service to children and young people under the age of 18. Suppliers should provide TWO example[s] of providing services of a similar scale and scope as outlined in the specification within the last 3 years.
Lot #2Belfast BAwardedRenewalPublished value£693,000
Belfast B covers the following schools within the geographical area
Belfast Boys' Model School, Belfast
Belfast Model School for Girls, Belfast
Belfast Royal Academy, Belfast
Blessed Trinty College, Belfast
Dominican College, Fortwilliam, Belfast
Mercy College, Belfast
St Malachy's College, Belfast
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Belfast
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience of managing the delivery of a counselling service to children and young people under the age of 18. Suppliers should provide TWO example[s] of providing services of a similar scale and scope as outlined in the specification within the last 3 years.
Lot #3Belfast CAwardedRenewalPublished value£622,000
Belfast C covers the following schools within the geographical area
All Saints College, Belfast
Colaiste Feirste, Belfast
De La Salle College, Belfast
St Colm's High School, Dunmurry
St Dominic's High School, Belfast
St Genevieve's High School, Belfast
St Louise's Comprehensive College, Belfast
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience of managing the delivery of a counselling service to children and young people under the age of 18. Suppliers should provide TWO example[s] of providing services of a similar scale and scope as outlined in the specification within the last 3 years.
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).
How bids were scored · same split on all 3 lots
Published sub-criteria (6)
- AC1 Service Implementation PLan: 20%
- AC2 Service Delivery PLan: 20%
- AC3 Delivery of Group Sessions: 10%
- AC4 Safety Planning: 10%
- AC6 Total cost of Area: 30%
- AC5 Social Value Delivery Plan: 10%
Published award criteria (6)
- AC1 Service Implementation PLan
- AC2 Service Delivery PLan
- AC3 Delivery of Group Sessions
- AC4 Safety Planning
- AC5 Social Value Delivery Plan
- AC6 Total cost of Area
Lot distribution rule: Suppliers may bid for any or all areas. If a Supplier bids for more than one area, their bid for each area will be evaluated and scored as a separate bid.
Each area will be awarded to one Supplier on a sole supplier basis. Each area will be awarded to the highest scoring supplier who has bid for that area.
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot1
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience of managing the delivery of a counselling service to children and young people under the age of 18. Suppliers should provide TWO example[s] of providing services of a similar scale and scope as outlined in the specification within the last 3 years.
What this means for your bid
- 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
- 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)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 16 Jul 2025, 17:02 BST
- Last source update
- 1 Aug 2025, 09:32 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 14 Jul 2025
- Authority reference
EDR-25-008- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-030741- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0544d3Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 2 Jul 2025, 15:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 27 Jun 2025, 15:00 BST
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release
Timeline
6 Jun 2025 → 1 Sept 2025 · 7 dates- Tender notice published6 Jun 2025, 17:39 BST
- Clarification questions by27 Jun 2025, 15:00 BST
- Submission deadline2 Jul 2025, 15:00 BST
- Award decision expected by14 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
- Assessment summaries sent16 Jul 2025, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published1 Aug 2025, 09:32 BST
- Contract starts1 Sept 2025, 00:00 BST
Notice history
4 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 6 Jun 2025- Tender notice published6 Jun 2025, 17:39 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published16 Jul 2025, 17:02 BSTUK6
- Contract signature expected25 Jul 2025, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published1 Aug 2025, 09:32 BSTUK7
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecastAwards 3
Awarded value £2,000,0003 awards exc. VAT
Bids received 1212 from SMEs
Contracts signed 3latest 29 Jul 2025
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Belfast A1 award | |||
| MAKE A MELODY LTD.SME +1 morejoint awardHOPE Counselling Service Belfast A1 Sept 2025 – 31 Aug 2027 · up to 31 Aug 2029Extensions: Option to extend for any periods up to and including 24 months. Prior to entering into any extension to this contract the Education Authority will assess the following. The availability of adequate funding for the service. Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money. · Options: This service is funded by the Department of Education whereby counselling sessions are allocated to schools, based on their pupil enrolment figures. A breakdown of allocated sessions for each school is provided in the Tender documentaion. Spend will be closely monitored throughout the lifecycle of this Contract and should there be an indication that requirements and spend is likely to exceed the maximum awarded value the Buyer may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, either adjust the maximum value or terminate the Contract in line with condition 14.3 of the Mid-Tier Core Terms. | £700,000 | 16 Jul 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Belfast B1 award | |||
| MAKE A MELODY LTD.SME +1 morejoint awardHOPE Counselling Service Belfast B1 Sept 2025 – 31 Aug 2027 · up to 31 Aug 2029Extensions: Option to extend for any periods up to and including 24 months. Prior to entering into any extension to this contract the Education Authority will assess the following. The availability of adequate funding for the service. Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money. · Options: This service is funded by the Department of Education whereby counselling sessions are allocated to schools, based on their pupil enrolment figures. A breakdown of allocated sessions for each school is provided in Appendix A. Spend will be closely monitored throughout the lifecycle of this Contract and should there be an indication that spend is likely to exceed the maximum awarded value the Buyer may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, either adjust the maximum value or terminate the Contract in line with condition 14.3 of the Mid-Tier Core Terms. | £690,000 | 16 Jul 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Belfast C1 award | |||
| MAKE A MELODY LTD.SME +1 morejoint awardHOPE Counselling Service - Belfast C1 Sept 2025 – 31 Aug 2027 · up to 31 Aug 2029Extensions: Option to extend for any periods up to and including 24 months. Prior to entering into any extension to this contract the Education Authority will assess the following. The availability of adequate funding for the service. Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money. · Options: This service is funded by the Department of Education whereby counselling sessions are allocated to schools, based on their pupil enrolment figures. A breakdown of allocated sessions for each school is provided in the Tender Documentation. Spend will be closely monitored throughout the lifecycle of this Contract and should there be an indication that spend is likely to exceed the maximum awarded value the Buyer may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, either adjust the maximum value or terminate the Contract in line with condition 14.3 of the Mid-Tier Core Terms. | £610,000 | 16 Jul 2025 | Awarded |
Contracts
HOPE Counselling Service Belfast A · MAKE A MELODY LTD.SME +1 more
- Signed
- 29 Jul 2025
- Value
- £700,000
- Period
- 1 Sept 2025 – 31 Aug 2027 · up to 31 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Option to extend for any periods up to and including 24 months. Prior to entering into any extension to this contract the Education Authority will assess the following: The availability of adequate funding for the service. Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money.
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. This service is funded by the Department of Education whereby counselling sessions are allocated to schools, based on their pupil enrolment figures. A breakdown of allocated sessions for each school is provided in the Tender documentaion. Spend will be closely monitored throughout the lifecycle of this Contract and should there be an indication that requirements and spend is likely to exceed the maximum awarded value the Buyer may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, either adjust the maximum value or terminate the Contract in line with condition 14.3 of the Mid-Tier Core Terms.
HOPE Counselling Service Belfast B · MAKE A MELODY LTD.SME +1 more
- Signed
- 29 Jul 2025
- Value
- £690,000
- Period
- 1 Sept 2025 – 31 Aug 2027 · up to 31 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Option to extend for any periods up to and including 24 months. Prior to entering into any extension to this contract the Education Authority will assess the following: The availability of adequate funding for the service. Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money. The availability of adequate funding for the service. Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money.
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. This service is funded by the Department of Education whereby counselling sessions are allocated to schools, based on their pupil enrolment figures. A breakdown of allocated sessions for each school is provided in the Tender documentaion. Spend will be closely monitored throughout the lifecycle of this Contract and should there be an indication that requirements and spend is likely to exceed the maximum awarded value the Buyer may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, either adjust the maximum value or terminate the Contract in line with condition 14.3 of the Mid-Tier Core Terms. This service is funded by the Department of Education whereby counselling sessions are allocated to schools, based on their pupil enrolment figures. A breakdown of allocated sessions for each school is provided in the Tender documentaion. Spend will be closely monitored throughout the lifecycle of this Contract and should there be an indication that requirements and spend is likely to exceed the maximum awarded value the Buyer may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, either adjust the maximum value or terminate the Contract in line with condition 14.3 of the Mid-Tier Core Terms.
HOPE Counselling Service - Belfast C · MAKE A MELODY LTD.SME +1 more
- Signed
- 29 Jul 2025
- Value
- £610,000
- Period
- 1 Sept 2025 – 31 Aug 2027 · up to 31 Aug 2029 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Option to extend for any periods up to and including 24 months. Prior to entering into any extension to this contract the Education Authority will assess the following: The availability of adequate funding for the service. Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money. The availability of adequate funding for the service. Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money. The availability of adequate funding for the service. Changes/increase in need in relation to the service and scope of the existing contract. If the contract is continuing to deliver value for money.
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. This service is funded by the Department of Education whereby counselling sessions are allocated to schools, based on their pupil enrolment figures. A breakdown of allocated sessions for each school is provided in the Tender documentaion. Spend will be closely monitored throughout the lifecycle of this Contract and should there be an indication that requirements and spend is likely to exceed the maximum awarded value the Buyer may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, either adjust the maximum value or terminate the Contract in line with condition 14.3 of the Mid-Tier Core Terms. This service is funded by the Department of Education whereby counselling sessions are allocated to schools, based on their pupil enrolment figures. A breakdown of allocated sessions for each school is provided in the Tender documentaion. Spend will be closely monitored throughout the lifecycle of this Contract and should there be an indication that requirements and spend is likely to exceed the maximum awarded value the Buyer may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, either adjust the maximum value or terminate the Contract in line with condition 14.3 of the Mid-Tier Core Terms. This service is funded by the Department of Education whereby counselling sessions are allocated to schools, based on their pupil enrolment figures. A breakdown of allocated sessions for each school is provided in the Tender documentaion. Spend will be closely monitored throughout the lifecycle of this Contract and should there be an indication that requirements and spend is likely to exceed the maximum awarded value the Buyer may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, either adjust the maximum value or terminate the Contract in line with condition 14.3 of the Mid-Tier Core Terms.
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Belfast A | 4final-stage tenders | 4 | 3 | — |
| 2 · Belfast B | 4final-stage tenders | 4 | 3 | — |
| 3 · Belfast C | 4final-stage tenders | 4 | 3 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
2 commercial parties on the notice- MAKE A MELODY LTD.Awarded supplier
- Make A Melody LtdAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (7)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices 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 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
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender