Official UK procurement notice
Newcastle Home Care Services Framework
Authority: Newcastle City Council (Local council)
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNewcastle City Council has a statutory duty to provide care and support services to residents who meet the national minimum eligibility threshold as defined by the Care Act 2014. The Council is committed to delivering a high-quality, responsive, and accessible home care service that enables individuals to live independently, safely, and meaningfully within their own homes and communities.
This contract will support adults residing in the City of Newcastle who meet the national eligibility criteria, including:
Older people aged 65 and over
Adults (18+) with mental health needs
Adults (18+) with physical disabilities, including sensory impairments
Adults (18+) with specific needs, such as dementia, learning disabilities, autism diagnosis's, mental health conditions, end-of-life or palliative care, sudden onset or acquired brain injuries
The service will operate 365 days a year (366 in leap years), between the hours of 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM.
CPV: Health and social work services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Places
- up to 12 suppliers · 13 bids on the busiest of 4 lots (1.1 per place) · 8 appointed
- Framework period
- 8 yrs from 5 Sept 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 4 Sept 2034
Published description of the framework
The Newcastle Home Care Services Framework is established as an Open Framework under Section 49 of the Procurement Act 2023. The Framework operates across four geographical Zones (Lots) and has a total duration of up to eight (8) years, operating through a scheme of successive frameworks awarded on substantially the same terms.
The Framework will reopen periodically, with:
A first reopening no later than three years from initial award
A second reopening no later than three years from the first reopening.
Providers may bid for a maximum of two Zones, and appointment to one Zone does not guarantee appointment to more than one. Existing Providers and new entrants will be required to re‑tender at each Framework reopening.
The Framework does not guarantee Providers a minimum volume of work. Care packages are allocated based on assessed need, capacity, responsiveness and, where applicable, the preferences of the person supported.
Services commissioned under the Framework are paid on a fixed hourly rate basis, as set out in the Pricing Schedule forming part of the tender documentation.
The hourly rate is inclusive and covers all costs associated with delivering the service, including (but not limited to):
Care staff wages and on-costs (including payment for travel time and training, and payment of the Real Living Wage)
Management, supervision and back-office costs
Attendance at reviews, MDT meetings and discharge planning meetings where required
Use of technology, including Electronic Call Monitoring (ECM)
Rates are evaluated as part of the procurement process as Pass or Fail based on Providers accepting the hourly rate, and fixed for the duration of the relevant Framework period, subject only to any uplift review mechanisms set out in the contract documentation.
Providers are appointed to the Framework following an open competitive tender process. Tender responses are evaluated against criteria set out in the ITT.
Once appointed to the Framework, individual care packages are awarded through a call‑off process rather than further competition.
The Council's Brokerage Team identifies the relevant Zone and issues the referral to the Providers appointed to that Zone.
Providers confirm whether they can deliver the package within specified timescales and submit indicative start dates and time bands.
Where more than one Provider can accept the referral, the person supported (or their representative) may choose their preferred Provider, based on indicative visit times and preferences recorded in the Care and Support Plan. Where no preference is expressed, the Council will allocate the package, generally on a first‑come, first‑served basis, taking account of capacity, responsiveness and service continuity. Providers are also expected to work collaboratively on referrals together.
Where only one Provider is able to deliver the package, the Council may allocate directly.
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · all with a published value · a supplier may bid for at most 2 and win at most 2 of them · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 4 lots carries the same published figure, £139,320,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1NorthAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
- Technical & professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Lot #2EastAwardedceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
- Technical & professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Lot #3Inner WestAwardedceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
- Technical & professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Lot #4Outer WestAwardedceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
- Technical & professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
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 (1)
- Specification Requirements: 100%
Published award criteria (1)
- Specification Requirements
- Economic & financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
- Technical & professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
- “Newcastle Home Care Services Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 12 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
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
- Cancelled
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 6 May 2025, 14:50 BST
- Last source update
- 24 Jul 2026, 12:30 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 24 Jun 2026
- Authority reference
P009133- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-033038- Latest notice
- Procurement termination notice (UK12)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-050d3eFind a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 20 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 15 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Tender responses must be submitted electronically via www.open-uk.org ↗
Timeline
6 May 2025 → 5 Sept 2026 · 11 dates- Planning notice published6 May 2025, 14:50 BST
- Market engagement238 days ago24 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
Newcastle City Council invites home care providers to join us for a Market Consultation Event on the 23rd February 2026 to discuss the upcoming Newcastle Home Care Framework tender opportunity.
Through engagement with people supported, care workers, providers, social workers, and other professionals, we have developed a proposal for the new framework.
Building on the successful Provider Market Engagement event held on 29th October, this session will focus hearing thoughts, ideas, and final feedback before the tender launches in April 2026.
This is your opportunity to help influence the future of home care in Newcastle.
Event Details:
Date: Monday 23rd February 2026
Time: 9:30am-12pm (doors open 9:30am for prompt 10am start)
Venue: Pandon Room, Newcastle Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
How to Register:
To register your interest, please email [email protected] with your name, organisation, and email address to receive an official invitation.
Maximum two attendees per organisation
Registration closes: Monday, 26 January 2026
Capacity: 80 spaces available, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
A notice for this event has also been published on www.open-uk.org ↗ under Project # OPEN20251462
If you're unable to attend but would still like to contribute your views, please let us know. We'll share the presentation slides so your feedback can still help shape the future of home care services in Newcastle.
We look forward to your input and collaboration.
- Tender notice published191 days ago13 Apr 2026, 08:51 BST
- Next notice expected190 days ago13 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
- Clarification questions by159 days ago15 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends154 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown20 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by118 days ago24 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Assessment summaries sent107 days ago6 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Standstill ends96 days ago16 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
- Latest notice published89 days ago24 Jul 2026, 12:30 BST
- Contract starts46 days ago5 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
17 events · 11 releases on Find a Tender · since 6 May 2025- Pipeline notice published6 May 2025, 14:50 BSTUK1
- Pipeline notice published14 May 2025, 13:59 BSTUK1
- Pipeline notice published23 May 2025, 14:03 BSTUK1
- Pipeline notice published8 Sept 2025, 12:44 BSTUK1
- Preliminary market engagement notice published8 Sept 2025, 12:49 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published12 Sept 2025, 15:20 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published21 Jan 2026, 10:24 GMTUK2
- Planned procurement notice published4 Mar 2026, 11:50 GMTUK3
- Procurement method changed4 Mar 2026, 11:50 GMT
- Deadline published: 20 May 2026, 12:00 BST4 Mar 2026, 11:50 GMT
- Tender notice published13 Apr 2026, 08:51 BSTUK4
- Published value published: £139,320,00013 Apr 2026, 08:51 BST
- Status changed to active13 Apr 2026, 08:51 BST
- Contract award notice published6 Jul 2026, 08:37 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete6 Jul 2026, 08:37 BST
- Procurement termination notice published24 Jul 2026, 12:30 BSTUK12
- Contract signature expected27 Jul 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Published amendments (4)
Removal of estimated contract value as incorrect. To be updated once figure is established.
Description of the procurement updated to include information on where to find this opportunity as it progresses and how to register on the OPEN procurement portal.
Change to estimated start date and end date, from July to September.
Changes to date and location of provider engagement event, due to level of interest.
Routine re-releases (11)
- 2026-03: 1 release · 4 Mar 2026
- 2026-01: 1 release · 21 Jan 2026
- 2025-09: 3 releases · 8 Sept 2025, 12 Sept 2025
- 2025-05: 3 releases · 6 May 2025, 23 May 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast£34,830,000 inc. VAT is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 3 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 3 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · North1 award | |||
| Be Caring LtdVCSE, Comfort Call LtdAward of Zone 15 Sept 2026 – 5 Sept 2034 | ceiling above | 6 Jul 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · East1 award | |||
| Hales Group Ltd, ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONAward for Zone 25 Sept 2026 – 5 Sept 2034 | £34,320,000 inc. VAT | 6 Jul 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Inner West1 award | |||
| KAY CARE SERVICES LTD, Springfield Home Care Services LimitedAward of Lot 35 Sept 2026 – 5 Sept 2034 | ceiling above | 6 Jul 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 4 · Outer West1 award | |||
| KD CARE SERVICES LTD, LIFE AND CARE SOLUTIONS LIMITEDAward of Lot 45 Sept 2026 – 5 Sept 2034 | ceiling above | 6 Jul 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 1 · Be Caring LtdVCSE, Comfort Call Ltd
- Signed
- date not published
- Value
- —
- Period
- … – 4 Sept 2034
- Status
- cancelled (24 Jul 2026)
Contract 2 · Hales Group Ltd, ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
- Signed
- date not published
- Value
- —
- Period
- … – 4 Sept 2034
- Status
- cancelled (24 Jul 2026)
Contract 3 · KAY CARE SERVICES LTD, Springfield Home Care Services Limited
- Signed
- date not published
- Value
- —
- Period
- … – 4 Sept 2034
- Status
- cancelled (24 Jul 2026)
Contract 4 · KD CARE SERVICES LTD, LIFE AND CARE SOLUTIONS LIMITED
- Signed
- date not published
- Value
- —
- Period
- … – 4 Sept 2034
- Status
- cancelled (24 Jul 2026)
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · North | 10final-stage tenders · 13 at stage one | 7 | 1 | — |
| 2 · East | 12final-stage tenders · 17 at stage one | 9 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Inner West | 13final-stage tenders · 22 at stage one | 9 | 1 | — |
| 4 · Outer West | 6final-stage tenders · 12 at stage one | 6 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonBE CARING LTDVCSE · North East England · 1, 3
- wonCOMFORT CALL LIMITED · East Midlands · 1, 3
- wonST. ANTHONY OF PADUA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION · North East England · 2
- wonHALES GROUP LIMITED · East of England · 2, 3
- wonSPRINGFIELD HOME CARE SERVICES LIMITED · Yorkshire and the Humber · 3
- wonKAY CARE SERVICES LTD · North East England · 3, 4
- wonLIFE AND CARE SOLUTIONS LIMITED · North East England · 4, 3
- wonKD CARE SERVICES LTD · North East England · 4, 3
- did not winCARE LINE HOMECARE LIMITED · East Midlands · 1, 2
- did not winEXCELLENCE HEALTHCARE SERVICES LTDSME · Greater London · 1
- did not winFRAPOR SUPPORT SERVICES LIMITED · North East England · 1, 4
- did not winKEYSPRING CARE LTD · North East England · 1, 2
- did not winNIGHTINGALES COMMUNITY CARE LIMITED · North East England · 1, 2
- did not winPATIENCE HEALTHCARE (NE) LTDSME · Yorkshire and the Humber · 1, 2
- did not winSURECARE NEWCASTLE LIMITEDSME · North East England · 1, 4
- did not winWESTHOME CARE SERVICES LTD · North East England · 1, 2
- did not winBOOMERANG HEALTHCARE LTD · North East England · 2, 3
- did not winDALE CARE LIMITED · Greater London · 2, 3
- did not winKELLY PARK LIMITED · North East England · 2, 3
- did not winROUTES HEALTHCARE (NORTH) LIMITED · North West England · 2, 3
- did not winSUPPORT HEALTH AND WELLBEING LIMITED · North East England · 2, 3
- did not winFLOREBRIGHT CARE LTD · North East England · 3, 4
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
Framework contractors & participating bidders
22 commercial parties on the notice · 8 awarded- BE CARING LTDFramework contractor
- BOOMERANG HEALTHCARE LTDBidder / tenderer
- CARE LINE HOMECARE LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- COMFORT CALL LIMITEDFramework contractor
- DALE CARE LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- EXCELLENCE HEALTHCARE SERVICES LTDBidder / tenderer
- FLOREBRIGHT CARE LTDBidder / tenderer
- FRAPOR SUPPORT SERVICES LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- HALES GROUP LIMITEDFramework contractor
- KAY CARE SERVICES LTDFramework contractor
Show 12 more suppliers
- KD CARE SERVICES LTDFramework contractor
- KELLY PARK LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- KEYSPRING CARE LTDBidder / tenderer
- LIFE AND CARE SOLUTIONS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- NIGHTINGALES COMMUNITY CARE LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- PATIENCE HEALTHCARE (NE) LTDBidder / tenderer
- ROUTES HEALTHCARE (NORTH) LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- SPRINGFIELD HOME CARE SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONFramework contractor
- SUPPORT HEALTH AND WELLBEING LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- SURECARE NEWCASTLE LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- WESTHOME CARE SERVICES LTDBidder / tenderer
Official documents & specifications (15)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications The procurement documents will be available for unrestricted and full access, free of charge at: https://www.open-uk.org on the 20 April 2026.
Notices published for this procedure
- Procurement termination notice Procurement termination 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
- 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
Show 6 more notices
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender