Preliminary Engagement Notice - Closing the Gap - VCSE Infrastructure Support

Reading Borough Council, a sub-central government public authority located at Bridge Street, Reading, aims to procure a service under the tender titled "Preliminary Engagement Notice - Closing the Gap - VCSE Infrastructure Support". This tender process, currently in the planning stage, falls within the social services industry category and is expected to have a contract value of £130,000 per annum, totaling £650,000 over five years. An engagement session is scheduled for June 12, 2025, via Teams, to facilitate the exchange of the procurement timetable, draft service specification, and to gather feedback from providers.

The re-procurement of this service is planned towards the end of 2025 with the new contract commencing from April 1, 2026. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses, particularly those within the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, to engage in the provision of preventative community-based services in Reading. With a focus on supporting the local VCSE infrastructure, this contract is well-suited for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as VCSE organisations, looking to expand their services and influence in the region.

Engaging in the upcoming engagement session will allow interested parties to better understand the needs and strategic objectives of Reading Borough Council, thus positioning themselves advantageously for the forthcoming competitive procurement process.