Evaluation of the Quality & Engagement Act

The Welsh Government intends to procure a contract for an independent evaluation of the implementation and impact of the Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Act 2020. The evaluation will build on findings from a completed evaluability assessment and is expected to adopt a theory-based approach, assessing both the individual duties established by the Act and their collective contribution to the Act's overarching objectives. https://www.gov.wales/evaluability-assessment-health-and-social-care-quality-and-engagement-wales-act-2020 The current intention is to procure the contract in 2026/2027 to commence the contract during the 2027/28 financial year. Estimated total contract value: up to £275,000 GBP (excluding VAT)Contract duration: 24 months (with up to 3 months extension for final outputs with no additional budget available). Pre Market Engagement Update The Welsh Government would like to thank all organisations that participated in the preliminary market engagement for contract C004/2026/2027 – The Evaluation of the Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Act 2020. We received 11 responses from a range of organisations, and the feedback informed our proposed approach to the procurement. Proposed procurement approach The preliminary market engagement sought views on the potential delivery models. Responses identified benefits and risks associated with the different options and highlighted the importance of maintaining consistent methodology, effective coordination, integrated findings and clear accountability across the evaluation. Having considered the responses, the Welsh Government intends to procure the evaluation through a single contract. We recognise the mix of interested providers have a range of expertise that could contribute to the successful delivery of the evaluation. Prospective bidders are therefore encouraged to consider appropriate consortium, partnership, subcontracting or specialist consultancy arrangements when developing their proposed delivery model. To support supplier-led engagement, organisations interested in potential collaboration opportunities are invited to provide their contact details and a brief summary of their relevant expertise and areas of interest. Organisations wishing to be included in the Interested Parties Contact List should email Research.HealthAndSocialServices@gov.wales by 20th November 2026. The list will be made available to prospective bidders on request during the tender period. The purpose of the list is solely to support supplier-led engagement. Inclusion is voluntary and will not provide any advantage in the procurement. Any contact between organisations, consideration of potential partners and resulting commercial arrangements will be entirely supplier-led. Information provided for inclusion in the list will not form part of any tender submission or evaluation. Next steps The Welsh Government currently expects to publish the tender opportunity in January 2027, with contract delivery commencing from April 2027. These dates are indicative and exact details will be included in the final published tender documentation.