001706 Employee Assistance Programme (Telephone)

Durham County Council is inviting tenders for the provision of a telephone-based Employee Assistance Programme, a service active since 2006. The programme includes 24/7 advisory and counselling services available to employees of Durham County Council, as well as contracted public sector organisations such as town councils and schools. This tender is at the "tenderUpdate" stage, with the deadline for submissions by 16th May 2025.

The Council seeks a single specialist provider for this below-threshold, open competition procurement in the services category, for a contract starting on 1st August 2025. The procurement is supported by a budget that has been revised to £28,000 annually, accommodating services such as a Critical Incident Stress/Trauma Response Service, although this particular service has yet to be utilised. Prospective suppliers had until 30th April 2025 to submit enquiries, with the clarification period now extended to 7th May 2025.

This tender represents a lucrative opportunity for businesses specialising in guidance and counselling services, particularly those adept at providing confidential telephone support and online advice. The scope for renewal with two potential 12-month extensions enhances its attractiveness to small and medium-sized enterprises. Primarily, businesses with expertise in managing continuous, confidential support services and experience in public sector collaborations will find this contract well-suited to their capabilities.

The tender process prioritises technical proficiency, emphasising an 80% technical to 20% price weighting in the award criteria, favouring suppliers with robust service delivery models and proven efficacy in their field.