The Authority is seeking a contract for the collection from households, transport, sorting/processing, and sale of textiles from across the whole West Northamptonshire Council area.

Market Engagement We would like, at this stage prior to commencing formal procurement, to seek input from the market as to what the appetite is for undertaking this service and to allow an opportunity to discuss options for the delivery of future provision.

Some of the issues we are seeking input on include: • contract length • the state of the market • charity payments • mobilisation periods The Authority intends to hold an open information session for all interested organisations as individual scheduled meetings via Microsoft Teams.

A questionnaire will be issued to all interested organisations prior to the individual meetings and will be discussed with all interested parties in a set format.

All discussions will be noted, any commercially sensitive information will be kept confidential.

The meeting sessions with individual interested parties will be held on: • Monday, 22 April 2024 • Tuesday, 23 April 2024 • Wednesday, 24 April 2024 • Thursday, 25 April 2024 Interested parties will be allocated a time slot of 45 minutes between 10:00 and 14.00, due to this we may have to cap the maximum amount of interested parties, but please be assured this will not impact your ability to participate in the impending tender opportunity.

If you wish to attend one of the meetings, please complete the attached Word document 'Textile Soft Market Engagement Information March 2024 Final' by 17:00 on Friday, 12th April 2024 and return to: claire.baker@westnorthants.gov.uk The Authority anticipates notifying all interested parties with their slot allocation by Thursday 18 April 2024.

Participation in this process will not impact your ability to engage with the future tender opportunity.

Please view the attached 'Textile Soft Market Engagement Information March 2024 Final' for further details.