Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Infrastructure across Essex

The Council is seeking to commission provider(s) to develop and maintain a Universal Standard Support Offer to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Essex. The Council is also seeking to commission provider(s) to deliver an approach to support System Volunteering.

As part of the Council's preparatory work to inform the commissioning intentions for this project, we are holding an online Market Engagement event on Wednesday 15th May 2024 between 14:00 to 15:30. If you wish to attend, please book a maximum of two places per organisation by emailing strengthening.communities@essex.gov.uk.

Prospective bidders are advised that the Council will finalise the scope of the forthcoming procurement opportunity following the conclusion of the market engagement stage and reserves the right to amend the scope of this service accordingly.

For the avoidance of any further doubt, please be advised that any dates for the proposed procurement opportunity are provided for indicative purposes only and the Council reserves the right to amend this information following confirmation of the procurement timetable for this project. Full details of the structure of this procurement and associated timetable will be detailed within the corresponding Contract Notice in due course

Additional information:

Prospective bidders are advised that the Council will finalise the scope of the forthcoming procurement opportunity following the conclusion of the market engagement stage and reserves the right to amend the scope of this service accordingly. For the avoidance of any further doubt, please be advised that the inclusion of any lots within this PIN are provided for indicative purposes only due to the requirements of the online form and remain subject to confirmation by the Council. Likewise, the inclusion of any dates for the proposed procurement opportunity are provided for indicative purposes only and the Council reserves the right to amend this information following confirmation of the procurement timetable for this project. Full details of the structure of this procurement and associated timetable will be detailed within the corresponding Contract Notice in due course.

In relation to the geographical scope and potential access to this service from local partner organisations, please note that the main place of performance will be within the administrative boundaries of Essex (excluding the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock). In addition, this service will also be open to the following classification of users: NHS Healthcare (including local Integrated Care Systems) both within the administrative boundaries of Essex and cross-boundary organisations.