Find a TenderAwardedContract award notice
Published 16 Jan 2026, 14:05 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Provision of Residential and Nursing Care for Older People (Aged 65+)

Official notice

Authority: Medway Council (Local council)

Open framework scheme5 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdLight touch regimeSME suitableVCSE suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£330,876,621total for 5 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 20 Feb 2026awarded 8 May 2026
Awarded to Admiralty Care Home Limited +14 more5 awards
Framework period 8 yrsends 31 May 2034 · starts 1 Jun 2026

What is being bought5 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Medway Council ('The Council') is establishing an open framework for the delivery of Residential and Nursing Care Home Services for Older People aged 65 and over. The Council is inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers of care homes in Medway and Kent to apply for admission to this framework.

The Care Act requires local authorities to provide high quality care and support services to help vulnerable people to live their day-to-day life.

A residential care home provides accommodation and 24-hour care and support to people who find it difficult to manage activities of daily living at home. The purpose of a residential care home is to ensure people who cannot live independently are well looked after and continue to lead meaningful lives. This typically includes help with washing, dressing, toileting, administering medication and mobility.

In addition to the services offered at a residential care home, a nursing care home will provide 24-hour care and support to residents, plus additional support from a qualified nurse to support with more complex conditions and medical needs.

Providers must demonstrate:

•Person-centred care and support that promotes independence and holistic wellbeing – physical, emotional, and social

•Skilled and suitably qualified staff to meet residents’ needs

•Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration with robust evidence of quality assurance processes to maintain high standards of care

•Well maintained living environments that support residents’ needs and provide comfort, safety, and dignity

The services are divided into lots / sub-lots which are split between Residential Care and Nursing Care set out below:

•Lot 1A: Residential Standard

•Lot 1B: Residential Enhanced

•Lot 2A: Nursing Standard

•Lot 2B: Nursing Enhanced

•Lot 3: Highly Specialised Care (Residential and Nursing Care)

Providers can apply for one or more Lots. The Council is seeking to have multiple providers for each Lot on the framework. There is no limit on the number of providers who can participate on a Lot.

The Services under this Medway Framework are 'Light Touch' and are governed by the rules relating to Light Touch Contracts under the Procurement Act 2023.

The Council anticipates re-opening the Framework at the following points:

  • Once during the period of 3 years from award of the first Framework under this scheme (September 2027), and
  • Three times in the remaining 5-year framework term (April 2030, April 2032, May 2034)

The Council reserves the right to adjust the indicative reopening schedule above in response to operational factors. Such factors may include but are not limited to:

  • Supply and demand changes
  • Allowing sufficient competition
  • Changes to pricing structures
  • Changes due to impact of Local Government Re-organisation

Further details can be found in the tender documents available from www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk ↗ where applications to join the framework must be made.

CPV: Health and social work services · Health services · Miscellaneous health services · Residential health facilities services · Residential nursing care services · Social work and related services · Social work services · Social work services with accommodation · Welfare services for the elderly

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
Bids received
17 bids on the busiest of 5 lots · 19 suppliers appointed
Framework period
8 yrs from 1 Jun 2026
Scheme runs until
31 May 2034
Published description of the framework

For Lots 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B the prices are fixed by the Council. For Lot 3 price is capped at a Council-specified amount. Requirements for placements can be subject to mini-competition with quality and user choice being factors in the criteria for call-offs.

Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure

5 lots · all with a published value
Lot #1Highly Specialised CareAwarded 8 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£31,717,833

The individual has been assessed as having care and support needs that cannot be met in their own home environment or other suitable alternative (such as Extra Care Housing or Supported Living).

The individual has needs which may be able to be met either in a specialist residential home or in a home registered to provide care with nursing. The individual requires a highly specialist level of social care due to the complete and unpredictability of their needs or the impact of interacting health and social care needs. The individual will have some or many of the following needs.

Health needs may be able to be commissioned by the Local Authority (LA) under the incidental and ancillary rule or be met by Funded Nursing Care (FNC), however these could be needs that are stand alone. If the needs are multiple, then this cumulative effect may be outside of the above rules or FNC coverage and mean that the individual services are outside those that should be met by the LA. In these situations, Continuing Healthcare (CHC) must be considered and, if appropriate, assessed for.

This profile is not intended for those individuals who require interim placements. The individual will have been assessed under a Care Act Assessment (2014) and accepted as having eligible Care Act needs. The individual may a require a CHC Assessment and receive CHC funding. Any cost differential incurred by a nursing home for nursing needs should be met through FNC.

Prior to funding request, Social Care staff should have considered CHC. If nursing care is required, when applying for FNC, an NHS CHC checklist must be completed and submitted to the Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis that is managed, and their assessed needs meet social care eligibility criteria under the Care Act (2014) would be considered under the Medway Council needs profiles, a diagnosis alone is not indicative of the need to proceed under a specialist profile.

Contract period: 1 Jun 2026 – 31 May 2034 (8 yrs)Value: £31,717,833 exc. VAT · £31,717,833 inc. VAT
Delivery: South EastEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Lot #2Residential StandardAwarded 8 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£44,228,939

Residential Care provides support with daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility. It is suitable for individuals who do not require regular medical attention but need assistance with their overall wellbeing and safety. Residential care homes aim to create a homelike environment, offering communal living spaces, meals, and recreational activities to foster social interaction and a sense of community.

The individual has been assessed as having care and support needs that cannot be met in their own home environment or other suitable alternative (such as Extra Care Housing or Supported Living). The individual will have some or many of the following needs, which are expected to be met in a residential care environment. The individual may be physically active with a level of predictability around day-to-day needs. Changes in needs are likely to be minimal and when they do change, needs will be expected to return to their usual pattern with standard care and support.

The individual does not meet the criteria for Funded Nursing Care (FNC) and does not have Nursing needs that require the daily onsite supervision and oversight of a registered Nurse. The individual may have health needs that require support and supervision of external specialist services from the NHS, Integrated Care Board, or other agencies, such as community nursing support. These needs should be met and funded by the NHS. Any clinical nursing need is to be met by NHS services and not solely designated to care staff.

Needs Profiles are intended to identify key characteristics of the type and level of support required for an individual who requires a care home placement. The needs profiles are not exhaustive and not everybody will require support in every level of need noted within them. Temporary fluctuations may occur within bands, for example a resident may have a care and support need from a higher needs profile for a temporary period. In the event this happens, and where the Provider feels able to safely meet the short-term higher care and support need, there may not be the need for the resident to be re-banded (i.e. there may be instances where temporary fluctuations can be managed within the same needs profile).

Please see specification of requirement for full details.

Contract period: 1 Jun 2026 – 31 May 2034 (8 yrs)Value: £44,228,939 exc. VAT · £44,228,939 inc. VAT
Delivery: South EastEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Lot #3Residential EnhancedAwarded 8 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£148,811,099

The individual has been assessed as having care and support needs that cannot be met in their own home environment or other suitable alternative (such as Extra Care Housing or Supported Living). The individual will have some or many of the following needs, which are expected to be met in a residential care environment.

These needs generally require a higher level of residential care due to a significant and ongoing progression or deterioration in an existing condition, which is ordinarily manageable within a residential care environment, and usually follows an expected pattern. The individual may require a higher frequency of interventions and possibly increased risk management support. The individual has needs which require a range of care and support due to their variability. They may require the ongoing input of a staff team with a broad range of skills and training to manage risks.

The individual does not meet the criteria for Funded Nursing Care (FNC) and does not have Nursing needs that require the daily onsite supervision and oversight of a registered Nurse. The individual may have health needs that require support and supervision of external specialist services from the NHS, Integrated Care Board, or other agencies, such as community nursing support. These needs should be met and funded by the NHS. Any clinical nursing need is to be met by NHS services and not solely designated to care staff.

Residential enhanced is need specific, not diagnosis-led, and requires specialist interventions due to the intensity of care needs. A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean the person needs this level of care.

Needs Profiles are intended to identify key characteristics of the type and level of support required for an individual who requires a care home placement. The needs profiles are not exhaustive and not everybody will require support in every level of need noted within them. Temporary fluctuations may occur within bands, for example a resident may have a care and support need from a higher needs profile for a temporary period. In the event this happens, and where the Provider feels able to safely meet the short-term higher care and support need, there may not be the need for the resident to be re-banded (i.e. there may be instances where temporary fluctuations can be managed within the same needs profile).

Please see specification of requirement for full details.

Contract period: 1 Jun 2026 – 31 May 2034 (8 yrs)Value: £148,811,099 exc. VAT · £148,811,099 inc. VAT
Delivery: South EastEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Lot #4Nursing StandardAwarded 8 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£56,328,436

The individual has been assessed as having care and support needs that cannot be met in their own home environment or other suitable alternative (such as Extra Care Housing or Supported Living). The individual will have some or many of the following needs, which are expected to be met in a Nursing home environment.

The individual has needs which can only be met with the on-site supervision of a registered Nurse. This care is required in a home registered to provide care with Nursing.

Health needs may be able to be commissioned by the Local Authority (LA) under the incidental and ancillary rule or be met by Funded Nursing Care (FNC), however these could be needs that are stand alone. If the needs are multiple, then this cumulative effect may be outside of the rules or FNC coverage and mean that the individual services outside those that should be met by the LA. In these situations, Continuing Healthcare (CHC) must be considered and, if appropriate, assessed for.

Prior to funding request, social care staff should have considered CHC. If nursing care is required, when applying for FNC, an NHS CHC checklist must be completed and submitted to the Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Needs Profiles are intended to identify key characteristics of the type and level of support required for an individual who requires a care home placement. The needs profiles are not exhaustive and not everybody will require support in every level of need noted within them. Temporary fluctuations may occur within bands, for example a resident may have a care and support need from a higher needs profile for a temporary period. In the event this happens, and where the Provider feels able to safely meet the short-term higher care and support need, there may not be the need for the resident to be re-banded (i.e. there may be instances where temporary fluctuations can be managed within the same needs profile).

Please see specification of requirement for full details.

Contract period: 1 Jun 2026 – 31 May 2034 (8 yrs)Value: £56,328,436 exc. VAT · £56,328,436 inc. VAT
Delivery: South EastEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Lot #5Nursing EnhancedAwarded 8 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£49,790,314

The individual has been assessed as having care and support needs that cannot be met in their own home environment or other suitable alternative (such as Extra Care Housing or Supported Living). The individual will have some or many of the following needs, which are expected to be met in a Nursing home environment.

The individual has needs which can only be met with the on-site supervision of a registered Nurse. This care is required in a home registered to provide care with Nursing.

Health needs may be able to be commissioned by the Local Authority (LA) under the incidental and ancillary rule or be met by Funded Nursing Care (FNC), however these could be needs that are stand alone. If the needs are multiple, then this cumulative effect may be outside of the rules or FNC coverage and mean that the individual services outside those that should be met by the LA. In these situations, Continuing Healthcare (CHC) must be considered and, if appropriate, assessed for.

Prior to funding request, social care staff should have considered CHC. If nursing care is required, when applying for FNC, an NHS CHC checklist must be completed and submitted to the Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Needs Profiles are intended to identify key characteristics of the type and level of support required for an individual who requires a care home placement. The needs profiles are not exhaustive and not everybody will require support in every level of need noted within them. Temporary fluctuations may occur within bands, for example a resident may have a care and support need from a higher needs profile for a temporary period. In the event this happens, and where the Provider feels able to safely meet the short-term higher care and support need, there may not be the need for the resident to be re-banded (i.e. there may be instances where temporary fluctuations can be managed within the same needs profile).

Please see specification of requirement for full details.

Contract period: 1 Jun 2026 – 31 May 2034 (8 yrs)Value: £49,790,314 exc. VAT · £49,790,314 inc. VAT
Delivery: South EastEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible

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
What this means for your bid
  • “Provision of Residential and Nursing Care for Older People (Aged 65+)” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, 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
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Light touch regime
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
16 Jan 2026, 14:05 GMT
Last source update
8 May 2026, 13:10 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 7 May 2026
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-003924
Latest notice
Contract award notice (UK6)
Classification (CPV)
Health and social work servicesHealth servicesMiscellaneous health servicesResidential health facilities servicesResidential nursing care servicesSocial work and related servicesSocial work servicesSocial work services with accommodationWelfare services for the elderly
Delivery area
South East (UKJ41)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0607b5 Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: ProContract (Due North) · Who buys & how to bid on ProContract
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · short registration with manual review; public opportunity list
Appointment period ends
20 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
10 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

16 Jan 2026 → 1 Jun 2026 · 7 dates
  1. Tender notice published285 days ago
    16 Jan 2026, 14:05 GMT
  2. Clarification questions by260 days ago
    10 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT
  3. Admission / appointment period ends250 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    20 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT
  4. Award decision expected by174 days ago
    7 May 2026, 23:59 BST
  5. Assessment summaries sent174 days ago
    8 May 2026, 00:00 BST
  6. Latest notice published173 days ago
    8 May 2026, 13:10 BST
  7. Contract starts150 days ago
    1 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST

Notice history

4 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 16 Jan 2026
  1. Tender notice published
    16 Jan 2026, 14:05 GMT
    UK4
  2. Contract award notice published
    8 May 2026, 13:10 BST
    UK6
  3. Status changed to complete
    8 May 2026, 13:10 BST
  4. Contract signature expected
    31 May 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 195 awards · see the list ↓
Bids received 1715 from SMEs · busiest of 5 lots
Named bidders 19published on the award notice

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Highly Specialised Care17final-stage tenders · 19 at stage one150—
2 · Residential Standard8final-stage tenders50—
3 · Residential Enhanced8final-stage tenders50—
4 · Nursing Standard10final-stage tenders70—
5 · Nursing Enhanced9final-stage tenders70—

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

Medway Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PWYH-3898-LDQR Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, South East, ME4 4TRContact name, email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

19 commercial parties on the notice
  • Admiralty Care Home LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 14965040 Agincare House, Portland, South West, DT5 1BBContact email
  • Akari Care LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 07737949 First Floor Leeds House, Leeds, Yorkshire & Humber, LS11 5DZContact email
  • Avante Care Services LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 09402720 De Gelsey House, Faversham, South East, ME13 8GDContact email
  • Byron Lodge Care Home LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 10059135 First Floor Leeds House Central Park, Torquay, South West, TQ2 7TDContact email
  • Charing Gardens LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 05124236 Park View Care Home, Gillingham, South East, ME7 5AYContact email
  • Cornford House LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 04301694 2nd Floor, Clifton House, Basingstoke, South East, RG21 7JEContact email
  • Dover House (GC) LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 13660190 57 Coombe Valley Road, Dover, South East, CT17 0EXContact email
  • Fort Horsted Care Home LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 10059229 Century House, Torquay, South West, TQ2 7TDContact email
  • Harmonia Care Village LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 13979587 20 Cranley Road, Walton on Thames, South East, KT12 5BPContact email
  • Harpwood House LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 09423140 Seven Mile Lane, Sevenoaks, South East, TN15 7RYContact email
Show 9 more suppliers
  • Hawkhurst House LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 10498015 2nd Floor, Clifton House, Basingstoke, South East, RG21 7JEContact email
  • Hawkinge House LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 07164419 2nd Floor Clifton House, Basingstoke, South East, RG21 7JEContact email
  • Ramsgate Care LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 08851590 2nd Floor Clifton House, Basingstoke, South East, RG21 7JEContact email
  • Shottendane N Home LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 15205962 5 Henry Tate Mews, London, London, SW16 3HAContact email
  • Songbird Hearing LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 04119021 Robin Cottage Dillywood Lane, Rochester, South East, ME3 8BTContact email
  • Wantsum Lodge LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 08426876 2nd Floor Clifton House, Basingstoke, South East, RG21 7JEContact email
  • Watts Healthcare LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 08268746 Office 1 21 Hatherton Street, Walsall, West Midlands, WS4 2LAContact email
  • Whitstable House LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 13471716 20 Cranley Road, Walton on Thames, South East, KT12 5BPContact email
  • Woodchurch House LtdFramework contractorGB-COH: 07516020 2nd Floor, Clifton House, Basingstoke,, Basingstoke, South East, RG21 7JEContact email

Official documents & specifications (6)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • 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
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender