UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

Our current contract for the delivery of our Emergency Accommodation and Assessment Unit, based at Shawe Road in Urmston, is due to end on 31 March 2027. We are currently undertaking work to review and re-tender the service to ensure a compliant arrangement is in place beyond this date. We would like to take the opportunity to do some `soft market testing' as outlined below, to determine current interest levels in the market.

Trafford Council is undertaking a soft market testing exercise in relation to its commissioned homeless supported accommodation for adults. The Council currently commissions short stay accommodation-based services for people aged 18 and above who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who require varying levels of housing related support to achieve and sustain independent living. Existing services accommodate individuals with low to medium support needs and typically provide accommodation for up to two years, with a strong emphasis on progression, independence and planned move on into longer term housing options. Access to services is managed through the Housing Options Service Trafford acting as a single point of access, ensuring referrals are assessed, prioritised and allocated appropriately across available provision.

Trafford Council is seeking to undertake soft market engagement to inform the future commissioning of supported accommodation services for young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Council currently commissions accommodation-based support designed to help young people develop the skills, resilience and independence required to sustain long-term housing and positive life outcomes. The existing model provides short-stay supported accommodation for up to two years alongside emergency provision, with an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and supporting young people to build stable futures through access to education, employment, and health services.

Trafford Council is seeking to engage with providers to explore the development of a targeted Homelessness Prevention Mediation Service, with a strong focus on early intervention to prevent homelessness arising from family and friend exclusions. This is not a call for competition. No information provided in response to this pre-market testing exercise will be used in any evaluation of any subsequent response to a procurement exercise.

Longford Park is Trafford's largest public park and a designated conservation area which is undergoing a major multi‑million‑pound restoration and improvement programme led by Trafford Council. The initiative is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), forming part of an overall £6 million investment into the park. The project is built around improving Longford Park for people, wildlife, and heritage. Its key aims include: • Heritage Restoration • Biodiversity & Nature • Facilities & Public Realm Upgrades • Community Engagement & Wellbeing Part of the project will involve the restoration of the park's Longbarn, for use as a community hub . We are carrying out `soft market testing' as outlined below, to determine current interest levels in the market in managing and operating the Longbarn. Trafford Council seeks an experienced operator to manage the Longbarn Community Hub in Longford Park. The Longbarn is a heritage building in Longford Park, currently undergoing restoration, that will offer flexible spaces for volunteering, learning, arts & culture, health & wellbeing and community participation. The successful organisation will be responsible for ensuring that its operation meets the terms of the lease and agreed KPIs, reporting to Trafford Council and hiring the space out to other organisations. The building will also act as a hub for information and enhancement of the park's visitor experience. The development of the Longbarn will reuse the existing building fabric sustainably with scope for a more sensitive and sustainable retrofit. Lease proposed:10-year term, subject to negotiation and discussion with the selected operator. The appointed operator will be responsible for maintaining the Longbarn to an appropriate standard throughout the duration of the lease. The operator will be responsible for all repairs and maintenance of the Longbarn's internal and external areas, including statutory compliance. THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION This Soft Market Test is intended to allow interested organisations with relevant experience to outline their views and provide information with no commitment to themselves or the Council.

Trafford Council Public Health is undertaking soft market testing (SMT) to inform the future commissioning of adult healthy weight support. This SMT is an early, non-committal engagement exercise designed to facilitate open dialogue with potential providers, including the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector. The aim is to explore realistic, evidence-based and affordable delivery models that: • Can be delivered within a constrained local authority budget • Align with Trafford's strategic priorities • Reflect current NICE guidance on overweight and obesity management (NICE NG246) • Add clear local value without duplicating nationally commissioned services This SMT is an opportunity to test ideas, assumptions and feasibility. Trafford is not presenting a fixed service model and actively welcomes provider insight on what will work in practice. Participation in this SMT does not constitute a commitment to procure or to participate in any future procurement process. For further information go to www.The-Chest.org.uk • register as a supplier • then login • go to find opportunities • under portals select The Chest • under organisations select Trafford Council • select DN820807 • select register in this opportunity • select To View This RFQ Event Now Click Here • download documents

Please note that this is not a call for competition. This is a soft market testing exercise undertaken under the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023. Trafford Council are undertaking a soft market testing exercise to fully understand what the market can offer and the challenges in procuring and setting up this service. It is hoped that this will be an opportunity for us to obtain an insight of how participants might approach delivery of the service, and how they might address circumstances that my impact on the service. It will also help us to further understand the market. We anticipate that should a tender exercise be undertaken, the maximum annual value for the contract might be in the region of £210,000; and the duration to be 3 years. We are therefore seeking expressions of interest from participants with the relevant expertise and experience to assist us in determining the feasibility of this project by answering the questions in the attached documentation. Note that any contract awarded following any future tender process will be subject solely to Trafford Council's Terms and Condition. The closing date for your submission of the documents for this exercise is at 12noon on the 13th July 2026. If you have any questions and/or requests for further information, please upload them onto the 'Messages' section of The Chest portal. We will reply using the same method.