Delivery of the Network for Neighbourhoods, part of the Pride in Place Programme

UPDATE:

Further to our previous supplier engagement in Spring 2026, where we indicated that we were considering commencing a competition for the Network for Neighbourhoods in Summer 2026, we would like to re-test the market appetite and the procurement approach for delivering the services required to support the Network for Neighbourhoods. This notice constitutes a second phase of Preliminary Market Engagement (PME), following the PME exercise undertaken in Spring 2026. This notice should be read in conjunction with the information provided through that earlier PME exercise. Details of the previous PME exercise can be found at the link to the previous PME Notice.

To request a copy of the 'Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) document' and associated supplier networking information relevant to the previous PME exercise, please email:

commercialtenders@communities.gov.uk by 5pm on Tuesday 28th July 2026.

The scope and objectives of the proposed Network for Neighbourhoods procurement remain largely unchanged from those set out in the original PME. This updated PME acknowledges two material changes:

(1) the proposed inclusion of Early Adopters requirements (as further detailed below and reflected in the estimated contract value); and

(2) a change to the procurement timeline which now envisages commencement of the competition at the end of July or in early August 2026, with contract signature anticipated by mid/late November 2026 and mobilisation completed by mid/late February 2027. These dates are indicative and subject to change.

The estimated maximum value of the Initial Period of the Contract (i.e. to 31st March 2029) is £13.03M NET of VAT. MHCLG shall reserve the right to extend the Contract by up to 12 months (i.e. from 1st April 2029 to 31st March 2030). The maximum value of any Extension Period is NOT included in the estimated contract value above, and shall be subject to further MHCLG budgetary approvals and confirmed at the appropriate time. Regardless, MHCLG cannot guarantee any extension.

MHCLG intends to use responses from this PME to help validate market appetite, test the impact of integrating the Early Adopters requirement into the proposed Network for Neighbourhoods contract, and inform final procurement planning and competition design.

To that end, please consider and respond to the questions below, where applicable, so that we can inform our procurement planning. Please respond by email to:

commercialtenders@communities.gov.uk, by 5pm Tuesday 28th July 2026, ensuring to insert "CPD4130038 - Network for Neighbourhoods PME" into the subject header of the email.

Please DO NOT submit any other statements, material or questions, as MHCLG is unable to consider them or respond at this time.

Please note that participation in this market engagement exercise is not mandatory, and you are not required to disclose any commercially sensitive information beyond what is asked for. Responses to this exercise are for MHCLG information only, will be treated in strict confidence, and will not be carried forward or used in any way as part of any subsequent procurement.

Further detail on the Early Adopters project, which we are proposing to integrate into the Network for Neighbourhoods procurement is set out below. The Early Adopters element will form part of the overall Network for Neighbourhoods service requirement and will not be procured separately. Suppliers should assume that support to the identified Early Adopter areas will form part of the successful bidder's delivery obligations.

ADDITIONAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS - EARLY ADOPTERS

The Pride in Place Programme (PiPP) sets an expectation that all areas move towards a community-led delivery model by the end of Year 3 (2028/29). This is intended to build strong, sustainable community infrastructure capable of driving long-term change beyond the ten-year lifetime of programme funding.

To support this transition, 20 local authorities have been selected as 'Early Adopters', including up to thirty Neighbourhood Boards. These areas will move more quickly towards community-led delivery over the first three years, supported by a test, learn and grow approach that combines deep place-based support with structured peer learning. This will enable places to develop and refine effective approaches to community-led delivery, while generating practical learning and emerging blueprints to be shared through the Network for Neighbourhoods to strengthen delivery across the wider programme.

To progress at the required pace, each Early Adopter will require an intensive, tailored support package. This should include structured learning and development for Neighbourhood Board members, alongside support on governance, community engagement, relationship building and collective impact. It should also provide access to a community of practice, enabling places to share learning, build core capabilities and draw on specialist expertise.

Learning from this work will be captured, synthesised and codified into practical tools, playbooks and evidence-based frameworks to support the wider transition to community-led delivery across PiPP.

QUESTIONS

In consideration of the above information, please respond to the following questions where applicable:

Question 1:

On the basis of information set out in this update, is the Network for Neighbourhoods a project your organisation will likely express an interest in participating in, either as a Prime Supplier or Consortium Lead?

Please indicate: YES / NO

If 'no', please state reasons e.g., availability of bid resources; scope not aligned to work you are targeting; other. (max 250 words)

or

If you are interested in participating, but not as a Prime Supplier or Consortium Lead, please also indicate 'no' and state the reasons that you are interested in participating as part of a supply chain / consortium. (max 250 words)

Question 2:

Where you have responded 'yes' to Question 1, and in anticipation of your organisation's expected Prime / Lead status, has your orga…