I-4571: Staying Well At Home (SWAH) Open Framework

Oxfordshire County Council has launched a procurement to establish the Staying Well At Home (SWAH) Open Framework, covering the delivery of Homecare, Discharge to Assess (D2A), and Reablement services across Oxfordshire. The procurement is being undertaken under the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and will operate as an Open Framework.

The Council has divided Oxfordshire into five operational zones, with services delivered through a two-tier provider model designed to maintain capacity, resilience and continuity of care. Providers may bid for a maximum of two operational zones during the initial procurement process.

Under the proposed framework, Tier 1 providers will deliver the majority of Homecare, Discharge to Assess and Reablement packages within their allocated zones. Tier 2 providers will provide additional surge, contingency and overflow capacity where Tier 1 providers are unable to meet demand.

The procurement will be completed in two stages. During Stage 1, providers will submit an Invitation to Participate (ITP) demonstrating that they meet the Council’s minimum eligibility requirements. Only organisations that successfully complete this stage will progress to Stage 2, where full tender submissions will be evaluated.

The Council intends to operate and maintain the Open Framework for the maximum period permitted under the Procurement Act 2023, with the overall framework expected to remain in place until 31 March 2035.

Contract Information

Buyer: Oxfordshire County Council

Deadline: 29 July 2026, 12:00pm (Requests to Participate)

Contract Value: £681,000,000 excluding VAT (£817,200,000 including VAT)

Delivery Length: Initial contract period from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029, with a possible extension to 31 March 2030. The Open Framework may operate for an aggregate period of up to eight years, ending 31 March 2035.

Tender Link: Click here

Framework Information

The Open Framework will:

• Cover Homecare, Discharge to Assess (D2A), and Reablement services.
• Divide Oxfordshire into five operational zones.
• Operate using a two-tier provider model.
• Allow providers to bid for up to two zones during the initial procurement.
• Permit an unlimited number of suppliers to join the framework.
• Apply no supplier access fees.

Call-off contracts may be awarded either with or without further competition.

Evaluation Criteria

Stage 1 will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis, with providers required to demonstrate compliance with the Council’s mandatory eligibility requirements.

Stage 2 will be evaluated using the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) methodology:

• Quality – 90%
• Social Value – 10%

The Council confirmed that no price evaluation will be undertaken, as service rates are fixed.

CQC Requirements

Providers must hold appropriate Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration and demonstrate compliance with all applicable UK employment and workforce legislation as part of the Stage 1 Invitation to Participate. Failure to meet the mandatory eligibility requirements will result in exclusion from the procurement process.

Procurement Information

The procurement is being conducted under the Competitive Flexible Procedure and falls within the Light Touch Regime under the Procurement Act 2023.

The opportunity has been identified as being suitable for:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs)

Stage 1 procurement documentation will be made available through the South East Business Portal. The Council has advised that Stage 2 may be conducted through an alternative electronic tendering platform, with shortlisted providers receiving further instructions if required.

The opportunity represents one of the largest homecare procurements currently available, providing long-term opportunities for providers delivering homecare, discharge support and reablement services across Oxfordshire while supporting the Council’s ambition to maintain a resilient and sustainable care market.

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