AT1487 Independent Foster Agencies Provision

{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-CFS-111581",
    "name": "Luton Council"
  },
  "date": "2026-03-13T09:29:23Z",
  "id": "30bf8244-bd1f-4682-88f3-2a92bb2645d6-888432",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab",
  "parties": [
    {
      "address": {
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Luton",
        "postalCode": "LU1 2BQ",
        "streetAddress": "Town Hall, George Street"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "caroline.sturman@luton.gov.uk",
        "name": "Caroline Sturman"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "http://www.luton.gov.uk"
      },
      "id": "GB-CFS-111581",
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Luton Council"
      },
      "name": "Luton Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "tender": {
    "classification": {
      "description": "Social work services with accommodation",
      "id": "85311000",
      "scheme": "CPV"
    },
    "contractPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2035-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
      "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00"
    },
    "datePublished": "2026-03-13T09:29:23Z",
    "description": "Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Councils are working collaboratively to re-open and expand the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies to serve all authorities. The APL will support the authorities to deliver suitable foster care placements at the right time, in the right location and with the right support, to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after.\r\n\r\nWe are seeking independent Foster Care provision must be in in Beds/Herts and surrounding areas eg Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire. Providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding and act in accordance with the guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and any subsequent guidance.\r\n\r\nAn Approved Provider List (APL) was commissioned in 2025 and this is a re-opening of the APL to allow further providers to join.\r\n\r\nThis is being procured under the Light Touch Regime under Public Contract Regulations 2015 as the original APL was procured before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force.",
    "documents": [
      {
        "datePublished": "2026-03-13T09:29:23Z",
        "description": "Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "format": "text/html",
        "id": "1",
        "language": "en",
        "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/30bf8244-bd1f-4682-88f3-2a92bb2645d6"
      },
      {
        "description": "Advert",
        "id": "2",
        "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=3c52cbae-660b-f111-813c-005056b64545"
      }
    ],
    "id": "LUTON001-DN807169-14658697",
    "items": [
      {
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "England"
          }
        ],
        "id": "1"
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure (above threshold)",
    "status": "active",
    "suitability": {
      "sme": true,
      "vcse": true
    },
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-04-14T12:00:00+01:00"
    },
    "title": "AT1487 Independent Foster Agencies Provision",
    "value": {
      "amount": 118000000,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}