Care at Home ASSOCIATE providers

The procurement process for "Care at Home ASSOCIATE providers" has been managed by Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council. It is a pseudo framework tender conducted under the LIGHT TOUCH REGIME within the health and social work services industry category. The procurement method applied was an open procedure.

The contracting process is currently in the award stage, as of 1st October 2025, with the contract period spanning from 1st May 2026 to 30th April 2029. This framework, however, may be reopened at unspecified timescales to allow new entrants, as it is mindful of potential changes such as mergers or businesses ceasing their operations. The opportunity covers the whole of England, and the initial tender closed on 12th February 2025.

This tender represents a considerable opportunity for businesses, particularly those operating as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) or voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). Businesses that provide health and social work services are well-suited to compete. The framework allows various call-off methods, including mini-competitions, capacity-based awards, or direct awards, giving flexibility to engage in specific borough-wide or targeted service areas.

This opens doors for both new and established care providers to expand their influence and enter new markets, capitalising on continuous opportunities as the framework might be periodically reopened.