Infant Feeding Service
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
The real focus here isn't just feeding
When I think about this tender, I see it as more than just delivering an Infant Feeding Service.
It's about building a supportive community for new parents and their infants.
Yes, you'll be running an Infant Feeding Peer Support Service and a Specialist Infant Feeding Service.
But what the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham really wants is a service that makes parents feel supported and confident in their infant feeding journey.
That's a bigger picture than just the logistics.
Think about the parents' perspective
Parents in the borough are your end users.
They're looking for guidance, support and reassurance.
If I were writing this bid, I'd focus on how the service can meet parents where they are.
Think about their worries:
- Will they have easy access to a breast pump loan scheme?
- Is the breastfeeding training practical and accessible?
- Can bespoke training be tailored to diverse needs?
These are the concerns that can make or break their experience.
More than just a list of activities
It's easy to get bogged down in listing the activities you'll deliver.
But this tender isn't just about ticking boxes.
The Council wants to see how these activities will integrate into a holistic support system for parents.
How will the breast pump loan scheme be managed?
What makes your breastfeeding training stand out?
How will you ensure the bespoke training truly meets the needs of the borough's community?
Pay attention to what they say
The Council is commissioning a service, not just a series of tasks.
They've set a clear expectation that your service should be integrated.
They're not just looking for a provider who can deliver activities.
They want a partner who can weave these services into the fabric of community support.
That's a theme running throughout the notice.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that almost every bidder claimed to deliver an excellent service.
Very few proved it.
If you have evidence, use it.
- Successful case studies of similar services
- Testimonials from parents you've supported
- Data showing improved outcomes from your interventions
These are the proof points that can set your bid apart.
Consistency over the whole term
Delivering a consistent service from March 2027 to March 2029 (and potentially to 2032) is no small feat.
The Council will want to see your plan for maintaining quality over time.
I'd want to see exactly what happens when a key staff member is on leave.
Or how you handle unexpected demand for your services.
Your response should reassure the Council that standards won't slip over the contract's duration.
Show how you'll make life easier for the Council
This is something I think suppliers often overlook.
Every contract creates work for the client.
The best contractors reduce that workload.
If I were writing this tender, I'd be explaining how my management processes make life easier for the Council.
How will you streamline communication?
What systems are in place to ensure smooth operation and reporting?
One thing I'd keep reminding myself
At the heart of this service are real parents and infants.
Every decision, every process, every interaction should come back to them.
I'd keep reminding myself to ask, "Does this genuinely support a parent's experience?"
If it doesn't, I'd rethink the approach.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on the logistics without considering the parents' needs
- Overpromise without providing tangible evidence
- Ignore the importance of community integration
- Fail to address how they will maintain service quality over the contract's duration
- Neglect to outline clear communication and management processes
- Assume the Council knows the benefits without explicitly stating them
- Provide generic training plans not tailored to the borough's specific needs
My Final Thoughts
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham isn't just commissioning a service.
They're investing in a supportive framework for new parents and their infants.
With a value of £1,151,985 and a contract that could extend to 2032, this is a significant opportunity.
Quality is at the forefront here.
That's what I'd focus my written submission on.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
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Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.