Connect to Work - Walsall, Wolverhampton & Sandwell

The West Midlands Combined Authority, in partnership with the councils of Wolverhampton, Sandwell, and Walsall, is commissioning the Connect to Work (C2W) Supported Employment programme. This initiative, funded through the Multiyear Integrated Settlement for 2026/27 to 2028/29, focuses on providing guidance and counselling services to priority cohorts, specifically young people aged 18-24. The contract is estimated to be valued at 18,931,894.59 GBP excluding VAT, with a primary performance period from February 1, 2027, to March 31, 2029, and a possible 12-month extension to March 31, 2030. The procurement process utilizes a competitive flexible procedure with an award criteria weighted at 60% for quality, 20% for price, and 20% for social value. The service delivery is governed by a performance framework of outputs, outcomes, and KPIs aligned with the WMCA Integrated Settlement framework. The authority maintains the right to adjust outcome measures, payment mechanisms, and delivery targets to adapt to changes in government policy or labor market conditions. This opportunity is noted as particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, with all submissions required via the Bravo procurement portal by December 1, 2026.