Domiciliary Care Services

Carmarthenshire County Council is establishing a major framework for domiciliary support services across South West Wales, with an estimated total value of £90 million excluding VAT.

The framework will cover a range of community-based services designed to provide high-quality, person-centred care and enable individuals to remain independent and safe within their own homes. Services include community intake, community support, complex care, replacement care and community assessment provision.

The procurement is being undertaken through an open procedure under the Light Touch Regime. Carmarthenshire County Council may refresh the framework at intervals during its term, potentially allowing additional providers to join and enabling changes to the scope, lots, services or pricing arrangements.

Service Areas and Lots

The framework is structured around four principal service areas, with provision divided geographically across TTT West, TTT East, Amman, Llanelli and Gwendraeth.

Lot 1 – Community Intake and Community Support

Lot 1 covers Community Intake Services alongside Community Support Services for older adults, people with physical disabilities and people with cognitive impairment or dementia.

Community Intake provision includes short-term support, pathways into longer-term care and right-sizing arrangements.

Community Support is structured across three stages:

• Stage 1 – up to five hours
• Stage 2 – up to 10 hours
• Stage 3 – Stage 1 and Complex Care

The lot uses all-inclusive rates alongside hour blocks and the UKHCA Cost Matrix. The number of framework providers varies by geographical area.

Suppliers may bid for multiple areas, although an individual supplier can be awarded a maximum of five geographical areas under Lot 1.

Lot 2 – Complex Care

Lot 2 covers complex care for individuals with physical health needs, advanced dementia and complex behaviours.

Provision includes packages involving 14 or more visits per week and double-handed calls. Services will be delivered through a combination of in-house provision and framework providers.

There is no stated limit on the number of framework providers for these lots, with work allocated to providers in ranked order.

Pricing will be based on competitive cost and visit rates, with providers paid according to delivered hours.

Lot 3 – Replacement Care

Lot 3 covers replacement care delivered through block sessions each week in accordance with an individual’s care plan.

The service is intended to provide replacement for a carer within the person’s home and will be delivered through in-house services and framework providers.

An unlimited number of framework providers may be appointed, with work allocated in ranked order. Pricing will use a set hourly rate and visit cost based on the UKHCA Cost Matrix.

Lot 4 – Community Assessment Service

Lot 4 covers the Community Assessment Service, described as a short-term care assessment service.

Provision will operate through an all-inclusive rate based on a 140-hour block per geographical area, with one framework provider appointed for each relevant lot.

The award of the Lot 4 opportunities remains subject to internal approval, and the Council has reserved the right not to award these lots.

Framework Operation

The framework has no overall limit on the number of suppliers, although individual lots have their own provider arrangements.

Call-off contracts will be awarded by direct award without further competition. Where more than one provider is appointed to a lot, the Council will initially approach the highest-ranked supplier based on the original framework procurement scores.

If that provider declines, fails to respond within two working days or does not enter into the call-off within an acceptable timeframe, the Council may approach the next-ranked provider.

The Council may also use the user-choice provisions available for Light Touch Contracts where appropriate to meet an individual’s assessed needs, preferences, outcomes or statutory rights.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is also identified as a contracting authority that may use the framework.

Contract Information

Buyer: Carmarthenshire County Council

Deadline: 30 September 2026 at 2:00pm

Enquiry Deadline: 24 September 2026 at 2:00pm

Contract Value: £90,000,000 excluding VAT / £108,000,000 including VAT

Delivery Length: Up to 6 years, including extensions. Most lots are estimated to run from 10 January 2027 to 9 January 2031, with a possible extension to 9 January 2033. Individual lot dates vary.

Tender Link: eTenderWales portal – project_63784 / ITT code itt_126245

The estimated award decision date is 7 December 2026.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation varies depending on the lot.

Lots 1, 3 and 4 are generally evaluated on 100% quality, based on technical questions.

Lot 2 Complex Care opportunities are evaluated on:

• Quality – 70%
• Price – 30%

The price element relates to hourly and/or visit costs, depending on the individual geographical lot.

Technical ability requirements are set out within ITT_126245.

Supplier Participation

The opportunity is identified as particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs).

Tender submissions may be made electronically in either Welsh or English.

Suppliers should use the eTenderWales procurement portal and locate project_63784 and itt_126245 to access the tender documents, buyer attachments and submission requirements.

This £90 million framework represents a substantial long-term opportunity for domiciliary and community care providers operating across Carmarthenshire and the wider South West Wales care market. Its structure covers services ranging from short-term intake and community support through to complex care, replacement care and assessment provision.

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