TENDER FOR FERMANAGH AND OMAGH POVERTY SUPPORT PROGRAMME – REF 2627 TNDR CW 005

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) invite tenders for the provision of wraparound and financial support to households experiencing, or at risk of poverty, across the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.

The most recent Northern Ireland Poverty and Income Inequality Report on the Programme for Government Wellbeing Framework indicates that 22% of individuals within the District are living in relative poverty after housing costs (AHC), significantly higher than the Northern Ireland average of 17%.

In response to recommendations in the 2016 Welfare Reform Mitigations report, Department for Communities (DfC) has operated a programme since October 2017 aimed at tackling food poverty and its root causes. Following positive evaluation of the original programme, DfC expanded the concept to all Council areas using a Co-Design process to develop tailored models of support that best meet the needs of local communities and build on existing structures and partnerships.

The aim of this support is to offer a longer-term and sustainable response to food insecurity by seeking to address the root causes of poverty rather than simply provide food. This is achieved through the provision of a referral network for wraparound support aimed at maximising income and reducing household costs, which includes, but is not limited to advice on debt, benefits, budgeting, healthy eating, housing, physical and mental health referral, and education, training and volunteering opportunities to enhance employability skills. It is intended that this will provide a longer-term solution in a dignified manner rather than a short-term crisis provision.

Within FODC, a Co-Design group, comprising a range of statutory and community and voluntary sector stakeholders, was established to take this work forward within the District and a number of pilot exercises were carried out to trial various elements of support.

Taking into consideration the existing provision, consultation feedback, and the evaluation of the pilots, a recommendation was made that an external delivery body (single organisation or consortia) would be procured and appointed by Council to provide a single point of contact, on a district-wide basis, to support households experiencing food insecurity.

Since autumn of 2023, FODC has offered a series of tenders for the delivery of the Fermanagh and Omagh Poverty Support Programme.  Given the ongoing success of the programme and additional funding being made available, FODC wishes to offer a further tender for an external delivery body (single organisation or consortia) to provide a single point of contact, on a district-wide basis, to support households experiencing food insecurity.

In March 2026, FODC commissioned an independent interim evaluation of the Programme to date.  The review has now been completed, and a final report is expected in advance of the next Programme commencing.  Any recommendations for revisions to the delivery of the Programme will be discussed and agreed with the successful supplier in advance of delivery commencing.  Based on the draft evaluation report, it is not anticipated that there will be any proposed revisions that would impact on the value of the contract.

All previous years’ end of programme reports, and the finalised interim evaluation report can be made available to the successful tenderer on award of contract.

Tender documents for Cft FODC-1196 are available to download from
European Dynamics – View CfT Workspace

Completed submissions must be submitted via https://etendersni.gov.uk not later than 12.00 Noon on Monday 5th October 2026.

The Council does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender or any expenses incurred therein.