Open17 days left · closes 1pm, Monday 30 November 2026

Children's Short Breaks Closed Framework

Bedford Borough Council · Local authority

In brief

Bedford Borough Council is looking for suppliers for care work (East of England).

It is a framework worth up to £1,097,180 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

It is split into 8 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bids close at 1pm, Monday 30 November 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Bids by: 1pm, Monday 30 November 2026

How bids are scored

Quality 95% · Social Value 5%

Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.

Competition

Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 15 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £1,097,180 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

Conditions

You can bid for up to 4 lots.

What the notice says

Bedford Borough Council is seeking providers to deliver Children's Short Breaks Services through a Closed Framework Agreement. The Framework is divided into eight Lots: Lot 1: Community Short Breaks – Complex Care Lot 2: Community Short Breaks – Autism Lot 3: Community Short Breaks – EHCP / Special School Lot 4: Community Short Breaks – General SEND Lot 5: Community Short Breaks – SEND Gaming Youth Club Lot 6: Holiday Activity Short Breaks – Learning Disabilities and SEND (EHCP) Lot 7: Holiday Activity Short Breaks – Complex Physical and Health Needs Lot 8: Holiday Activity Short Breaks – Autism. The services will provide a range of community-based and holiday activities designed to promote inclusion, wellbeing, independence and positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND, while providing short break opportunities for families and carers.

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

Can you prepare a good bid in 17 days?Leave time for clarification questions and sign-off.
Is a contract of about £1,097,180 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in East of England?Check the delivery locations in the tender documents.
Is one of the 8 lots a good fit?You can usually bid for one lot without bidding for the others.
Can you meet what the notice mentions: Framework agreement?The tender documents will say exactly what is required.
Are you registered on the Central Digital Platform?You need to be registered to take part under the Procurement Act 2023.
The buyer says this suits small businesses.A good sign if you are an SME, but check the requirements.

How to bid

Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
Make sure your bid arrives before 1pm, Monday 30 November 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Lots

Lot	Trade	Value
Complex Care 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030 What this lot covers Monthly groups for pre-school, pre-teen and youth age ranges.	Social and domiciliary care	—
Autism 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030 What this lot covers Ages 12 to 17 years; two youth groups, each meeting fortnightly in term time.	Social and domiciliary care	—
EHCP and Special School 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030 What this lot covers ages 8 to 17 years, a weekly group for 42 weeks a year	Social and domiciliary care	—
General SEND 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030 What this lot covers ages 5 to 17 years; a pre-teen group meeting twice a fortnight and a youth group meeting fortnightly, in term time	Social and domiciliary care	—
SEND Gaming Youth Club 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030 What this lot covers ages 12 to 17 years; a weekly group in term time, plus a community meet-up or event each half term	Social and domiciliary care	—
Holiday Activities – Learning Disabilities and SEND (EHCP) 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029 What this lot covers Reception to age 17 years; CYP with severe learning disabilities, autism or other SEND which requires them to have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The majority of these CYP will attend a specialist educational setting. The EHCP should be evidenced by their parents or carers.	Social and domiciliary care	—
Holiday Activities – Complex Physical and Health Needs 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029 What this lot covers reception to age 17; CYP with complex physical disabilities and/or complex health needs, including cerebral palsy, profound and multiple learning difficulties, and medical needs such as enteral (tube) feeding, epilepsy requiring rescue medication or oxygen. Evidence may include a letter from a health professional, an EHCP or confirmation of attendance at a special school.	Social and domiciliary care	—
Holiday Activities – Autism 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029 What this lot covers reception to age 17; CYP who have a diagnosis of autism or are undergoing assessment for autism, including those with high support needs. Where the Supplier also runs provision for CYP from other areas, the places funded under this contract must be for CYP who live in Bedford Borough.	Social and domiciliary care	—

Timeline

9 October 2026Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 095840-2026
2 November 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 103645-2026

About the buyer

Bedford Borough CouncilLast 12 months

Procurements

110

Awards

Suppliers it has used most for care

A Wilderness Way Group Limited1 contract
Arnfield Care Ltd1 contract
Barnardo Services Limited1 contract
Barton Lodge Ltd (Barton Lodge Care Home)1 contract
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity1 contract

All tenders and awards from Bedford Borough Council

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From notice 095840-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 9 October 2026, last updated 2 November 2026. We last checked for changes on 2 November 2026.