Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of Independent Social Work and Expert Witness Services

Bedford Borough Council is inviting suppliers to tender for the provision of specialist independent assessment and expert witness services through its Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System (ps-DPS).

The opportunity covers a range of assessment services designed to support care planning, safeguarding, and decision-making processes relating to children and young people. Suppliers may apply to one or multiple lots under the arrangement.

According to the Council, the assessments and reports delivered through the ps-DPS must comply with Civil Procedure Rules and be of a professional standard suitable for use by both the local authority and the courts.

Lots Available

The procurement has been divided into three specialist lots:

• Lot 1: Independent Psychological and Psychiatric Assessments
• Lot 2: Independent Social Work Assessments, including Special Guardianship Assessments and Sibling Assessments
• Lot 3: Parenting Assessments including PAMS assessments and ParentAssess

The Council stated that the services will support children’s social care processes and wider care planning arrangements by providing independent expert assessments and evidence-based reporting.

Providers appointed to the ps-DPS will be expected to work directly with individuals identified within letters of instruction and deliver reports that address the required questions, risks, outcomes, and recommendations.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Bedford Borough Council
• Deadline: 17th April 2027 at 13:55
• Contract Value: £250,000
• Delivery Length: 19th April 2026 to 18th April 2027, with the option to extend for further 12-month periods thereafter
• Tender Link: Click here

Evaluation Criteria

Suppliers may submit bids for as many lots as they wish.

The procurement documentation confirms that assessments and reports must be suitable for use within both local authority decision-making processes and court proceedings where required.

Further specification details for each service area are contained within the relevant appendices issued as part of the procurement documentation.

The opportunity reflects continued demand for high-quality independent assessments and expert witness services supporting children’s services, safeguarding arrangements, and court-related proceedings across Bedford Borough.

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Jamie Peacock – Tender Specialist

If you want to advertise your opportunity, please contact Jamie Peacock, Tender Specialist at editorial@dailyround.news