Official UK procurement notice
Provision of Security Services to Designated Accommodation Sites
Authority: Cornwall Council (Local council)
Sectors: Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: South West (UKK3)
Published estimate £4,092,869≈ £1.4m / year · £4,911,443 inc. VAT · 1 value update
Submissions closed 11 Sept 2025
Next notice expected 22 Aug 2025
Contract term 3 yrsup to 6 yrs with extensions · starts 1 Apr 2026
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionCornwall Council is seeking a qualified and trauma-informed security provider to deliver professional security services across designated supported accommodation schemes for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of rough sleeping. The successful supplier will provide static and mobile patrols, incident response, and emergency management across multiple sites in Cornwall. Services will be delivered by SIA-licensed personnel with enhanced DBS checks, working in collaboration with housing support teams and site managers to ensure the safety of service users, staff, and the wider community. This procurement is being conducted under the Light Touch Regime in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, allowing procedural flexibility while maintaining transparency and equal treatment. The contract will run for an initial term of three (3) years, with an option to extend for a further three (3) years, offering a maximum potential duration of six (6) years.
How the procedure runs: This procurement is being conducted by Cornwall Council under the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with Section 20 of the Procurement Act 2023 and the flexibilities afforded to Light Touch Contracts under Section 9 and Schedule 1 of the Procurement Regulations 2024. The contract concerns the provision of professional, more…
trauma-informed security services to designated supported accommodation sites across Cornwall. The Authority has opted for a two-stage multistage process to ensure proportionality, manage bidder volume, and maintain high service standards. This approach is informed by prior market engagement and the volume of responses received in a previously abandoned procurement for similar services. Stage 1 invites all interested suppliers to submit a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), which includes pass/fail criteria and scored sections assessing technical and professional capability, local operational presence, and TUPE transition planning. Up to five (5) suppliers will be shortlisted based on moderated scores and invited to participate in Stage 2. Stage 2 comprises the Invitation to Tender (ITT), where shortlisted suppliers submit final tenders. These will be evaluated using a Price per Quality Point (PQP) methodology to identify the Most Advantageous Tender. Quality criteria include service delivery, workforce capability, risk management, value for money, technology use, and social value. Price submissions must meet minimum hourly rate and cost ratio requirements. The procedure is designed to be transparent, competitive, and tailored to the complexity and sensitivity of the service, which involves safeguarding vulnerable individuals in high-risk environments. The Authority reserves the right to invite the next highest-ranked supplier(s) from Stage 1 if any shortlisted supplier withdraws or fails to submit a compliant tender. Modifications to the procurement and contract are permitted under Section 74(2) of the Act, reflecting the dynamic nature of the service and the need for operational flexibility via Task Order Forms. The contract will not be divided into Lots, as a single-provider model is deemed proportionate and necessary to ensure consistency, safeguarding compliance, and rapid mobilisation across multiple sites. This procedure aligns with PA2023 principles of equal treatment, transparency, and proportionality, and supports Cornwall Council’s strategic objectives for community safety, public protection, and inclusive service delivery.
CPV: Guard services · Patrol services · Security services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1Lot 1CancelledRenewalPublished value£4,092,869
- Value
- £4,092,869 exc. VAT · £4,911,443 inc. VAT
- Extensions
The contract includes an option to extend for a further three (3) years beyond the initial three-year term. Scope flexibility via Task Order Forms is integral to the contract and not considered an optional feature. · The contract will commence on 1 April 2026 for an initial term of three (3) years. The Authority reserves the right to extend the contract for a further period of up to three (3) additional years, more…
resulting in a maximum potential duration of six (6) years (3+3). Any extension will be subject to performance, funding availability, and the Authority’s operational requirements. The extension mechanism is built into the contract terms and may be exercised at the Authority’s sole discretion, in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and applicable regulations.- Second stage
- up to 5 candidates invited to tender
79710000 Security services79713000 Guard services79715000 Patrol services
What it takes to win
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published — the tender pack may add moreHow bids were scored
- PQP — The contract will be awarded based on the Most Advantageous Tender using a Price per Quality Point (PQP) methodology. The evaluation comprises both quality and price elements, with the following weightings: Quality (100%): Assessed through responses to eight scored questions covering service delivery, workforce capability, risk management, value for money, innovation, and social value. Each question is weighted individually, with the total quality score contributing to the PQP calculation. Price: Evaluated as part of the PQP formula, where the supplier’s total price is divided by their total quality score to determine value for money. The lowest PQP score identifies the most advantageous tender. Social value is embedded within the quality assessment and includes both quantitative and qualitative components. Suppliers must meet minimum compliance thresholds to be considered.
- PQP — The contract will be awarded based on the Most Advantageous Tender using a Price per Quality Point (PQP) methodology. The evaluation comprises both quality and price elements, with the following weightings: Quality (100%): Assessed through responses to eight scored questions covering service delivery, workforce capability, risk management, value for money, innovation, and social value. Each question is weighted individually, with the total quality score contributing to the PQP calculation. Price: Evaluated as part of the PQP formula, where the supplier’s total price is divided by their total quality score to determine value for money. The lowest PQP score identifies the most advantageous tender. Social value is embedded within the quality assessment and includes both quantitative and qualitative components. Suppliers must meet minimum compliance thresholds to be considered.
Conditions of participation6
- Economic & financial standing
Suppliers must demonstrate appropriate legal and financial standing to deliver the contract. This includes: Confirmation of registration on the Central Digital Platform (CDP) with up-to-date core supplier information. Submission of exclusion information for more…
the supplier and associated persons, including checks against the Cabinet Office debarment list. Evidence of economic and financial standing, assessed via independent credit rating reports and financial ratios (turnover, liquidity, gearing, and net profit margin). Minimum turnover requirement of £1,700,000 per annum over the last two financial years. Minimum liquidity ratio of 1.0 and gearing ratio below 90%. Suppliers must hold or commit to holding appropriate insurance levels and SSIP accreditation (or equivalent). Where applicable, parent company guarantees or other securities may be required. Failure to meet these conditions may result in exclusion from the procurement process. - Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must demonstrate sufficient technical and professional capability to deliver the required security services across multiple supported accommodation sites. This includes: Proven experience in delivering contracts of similar nature, scale, and more…
complexity, particularly involving vulnerable service users and trauma-informed environments. Evidence of operational readiness and local presence in Cornwall, including staffing, supervision, and rapid response capabilities. A clear plan for managing TUPE transitions, onboarding inherited staff, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding, SIA licensing, and training requirements. Ability to mobilise services by the contract start date, including equipment, personnel, and site-specific arrangements. Completion of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), including scored responses on technical capacity, local infrastructure, and quality assurance mechanisms. Failure to meet these conditions may result in exclusion from the procurement process. please refer to the ITT document for details - Condition of participationshortlisting
Suppliers are selected through a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023. Stage 1 involves completion of a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), which assesses: Compliance with exclusion grounds more…
and registration on the Central Digital Platform. Legal, financial, and insurance standing. SIA Approved Contractor Scheme accreditation. Technical and professional capability, including relevant experience, local operational presence in Cornwall, and TUPE transition planning. Responses to scored PSQ questions are evaluated and moderated by a panel. The five highest scoring suppliers were shortlisted and invited to submit full tenders in Stage 2. - Economic & financial standing
Suppliers must demonstrate appropriate legal and financial standing to deliver the contract. This includes: Confirmation of registration on the Central Digital Platform (CDP) with up-to-date core supplier information. Submission of exclusion information for more…
the supplier and associated persons, including checks against the Cabinet Office debarment list. Evidence of economic and financial standing, assessed via independent credit rating reports and financial ratios (turnover, liquidity, gearing, and net profit margin). Minimum turnover requirement of £1,700,000 per annum over the last two financial years. Minimum liquidity ratio of 1.0 and gearing ratio below 90%. Suppliers must hold or commit to holding appropriate insurance levels and SSIP accreditation (or equivalent). Where applicable, parent company guarantees or other securities may be required. Failure to meet these conditions may result in exclusion from the procurement process. - Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must demonstrate sufficient technical and professional capability to deliver the required security services across multiple supported accommodation sites. This includes: Proven experience in delivering contracts of similar nature, scale, and more…
complexity, particularly involving vulnerable service users and trauma-informed environments. Evidence of operational readiness and local presence in Cornwall, including staffing, supervision, and rapid response capabilities. A clear plan for managing TUPE transitions, onboarding inherited staff, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding, SIA licensing, and training requirements. Ability to mobilise services by the contract start date, including equipment, personnel, and site-specific arrangements. Completion of the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), including scored responses on technical capacity, local infrastructure, and quality assurance mechanisms. Failure to meet these conditions may result in exclusion from the procurement process. please refer to the ITT document for details - Condition of participationshortlisting
Suppliers are selected through a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023. Stage 1 involves completion of a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), which assesses: Compliance with exclusion grounds more…
and registration on the Central Digital Platform. Legal, financial, and insurance standing. SIA Approved Contractor Scheme accreditation. Technical and professional capability, including relevant experience, local operational presence in Cornwall, and TUPE transition planning. Responses to scored PSQ questions are evaluated and moderated by a panel. The five highest scoring suppliers were shortlisted and invited to submit full tenders in Stage 2.
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
- Cancelled
- 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
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 20 Oct 2025, 10:20 BST
- Last source update
- 20 Oct 2025, 10:20 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end — 15 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Authority reference
DN715931- Accelerated
- Light touch contract
- Latest notice
- Procurement termination notice (UK12)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-058bf4Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
- please refer to the ITT document appendix D with Contract terms and conditions
- How it runs
This procurement is being conducted by Cornwall Council under the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with Section 20 of the Procurement Act 2023 and the flexibilities afforded to Light Touch Contracts under Section 9 and Schedule 1 of the Procurement Regulations 2024. The contract concerns the provision of professional, trauma-informed security services to designated supported accommodation sites across more…
Cornwall. The Authority has opted for a two-stage multistage process to ensure proportionality, manage bidder volume, and maintain high service standards. This approach is informed by prior market engagement and the volume of responses received in a previously abandoned procurement for similar services. Stage 1 invites all interested suppliers to submit a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), which includes pass/fail criteria and scored sections assessing technical and professional capability, local operational presence, and TUPE transition planning. Up to five (5) suppliers will be shortlisted based on moderated scores and invited to participate in Stage 2. Stage 2 comprises the Invitation to Tender (ITT), where shortlisted suppliers submit final tenders. These will be evaluated using a Price per Quality Point (PQP) methodology to identify the Most Advantageous Tender. Quality criteria include service delivery, workforce capability, risk management, value for money, technology use, and social value. Price submissions must meet minimum hourly rate and cost ratio requirements. The procedure is designed to be transparent, competitive, and tailored to the complexity and sensitivity of the service, which involves safeguarding vulnerable individuals in high-risk environments. The Authority reserves the right to invite the next highest-ranked supplier(s) from Stage 1 if any shortlisted supplier withdraws or fails to submit a compliant tender. Modifications to the procurement and contract are permitted under Section 74(2) of the Act, reflecting the dynamic nature of the service and the need for operational flexibility via Task Order Forms. The contract will not be divided into Lots, as a single-provider model is deemed proportionate and necessary to ensure consistency, safeguarding compliance, and rapid mobilisation across multiple sites. This procedure aligns with PA2023 principles of equal treatment, transparency, and proportionality, and supports Cornwall Council’s strategic objectives for community safety, public protection, and inclusive service delivery.
Review and risk notes
- Risks
- please refer to section 9 of the ITT document
How it was run
Official noticeRun through: ProContract (Due North) · Who buys & how to bid on ProContract
Access & registration note: Free · short registration with manual review; public opportunity list
- Expression of interest (EOI)
- 11 Sept 2025, 00:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 11 Sept 2025, 00:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 27 Aug 2025, 00:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release
www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk ↗
- Search Latest Opportunities
- Search for Project reference DN715931 Provision of Security Services to Designated Accommodation Sites
Timeline
9 published dates · Europe/London- Planning notice published396 days ago21 Aug 2025, 11:19 BST
- Tender notice published396 days ago21 Aug 2025, 14:34 BST
- Next notice expected395 days ago22 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
- Clarification questions by391 days ago27 Aug 2025, 00:00 BST
- Expressions of interest by376 days ago11 Sept 2025, 00:00 BST
- Submission deadline376 days ago11 Sept 2025, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published336 days ago20 Oct 2025, 10:20 BST
- Award decision expected by280 days ago15 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts174 days ago1 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics — not a forecastAwards 1
Contracts signed 1
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| supplier not published | — | 17 Oct 2025 | CancelledThe decision to terminate was made on 17th October 2025 and reflects a discrepancy identified in the assessment of the Stage 1 procurement process in respect of which the Council has received notice of potential legal challenge. As the Council is no longer able to maintain the integrity of the procurement process it has made the decision to terminate the process and re-tender in order to ensure the preservation of public funds. This re-tender will be scheduled to be published in a few week’s time with an amendment to the PSQ. |
Contracts
Contract 1 · supplier not published
- Signed
- date not published
- Value
- —
- Status
- cancelled
Notice history
9 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 21 Aug 2025- Procurement termination notice published20 Oct 2025, 10:20 BSTUK12
- Published value updated20 Oct 2025, 10:20 BSTwas £4,092,869
- Status changed to cancelled20 Oct 2025, 10:20 BST
- Procurement method changed20 Oct 2025, 10:20 BST
- Buyer details updated20 Oct 2025, 10:20 BST
- Tender notice published21 Aug 2025, 14:34 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active21 Aug 2025, 14:34 BST
- Procurement method changed21 Aug 2025, 14:34 BST
- Pipeline notice published21 Aug 2025, 11:19 BSTUK1
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (6)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications Invitation to Tender (ITT) – Provision of Security Services to Designated Accommodation Sites This document sets out the full details of Cornwall Council’s procurement for professional security services across supported accommodation schemes. It includes the scope of services, co…
- Bidding documents and specifications Specification – Provision of Security Services to Designated Supported Accommodation Sites This document outlines the detailed service requirements for the delivery of professional security services across Cornwall Council’s supported accommodation schemes. It includes the scope …
- Conflict of interest declarationNot published
Notices published for this procedure
- Procurement termination notice Procurement termination notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender