Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
Contact
Daryl Mahabir
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI32 - Westminster
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
Buyer's address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
DHSC:NIHR Support Services: Public Partnerships and Maximising Research Impact
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79990000 - Miscellaneous business-related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and its mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.
This opportunity is for the re-procurement of NIHR support services to:
- Improve the way partnerships with people and communities in health and care research work (“public partnerships”),
- Improve how NIHR research is disseminated, and knowledge is mobilised to facilitate uptake and adoption of insights from research (“maximising impact”), and
- Act with other NIHR coordinating centres as an integral part of ‘One NIHR’; a co-ordinated, joined-up organisation.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £18,998,512
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI32 - Westminster
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) supports Ministers in leading the nation's health and social care to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives, for longer. DHSC invests significantly in research and development (R&D) to support the delivery of its objectives, primarily through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Through NIHR, DHSC provides evidence to improve the health of the public and outcomes for patients and inform decisions on the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of the health and care system.
The DHSC:NIHR Support Services: Public Partnerships and Maximising Research Impact contract was awarded for the provision of services from 1st April 2025 for a period of 7 years (with a five year break clause) to meet the following strategic objectives:
- improve the way partnerships with people and communities in health and care research work (this includes research involvement, participation, and engagement - referred to as ‘public partnerships’)
- improve how NIHR research is disseminated, and knowledge is mobilised to facilitate uptake and adoption of insights from research (referred to as ‘maximising impact’)
- act as an integral part of National Institute for Health Research Coordinating Centre - working collaboratively within NIHRCC and across NIHRCC & Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre a co-ordinated, joined-up organisation.
The total awarded contract value is £18,998,512.00 (ex-vat) which was sub-divided as follows:
- services that form the bulk of the deliverables (including any transition costs).
- Authority Emergent Services (unforeseeable services that may emerge throughout the life of the contract).
A market engagement event was held on 1st August 2023, followed by a Competitive Procedure with Negotiation.
Stage 1 - potential suppliers were invited to complete the Standard Selection Questionnaire and successful suppliers were then invited to participate in Stage 2.
Stage 2 - three suppliers were successful at Stage 1 and were invited to submit an initial tender. Following evaluation of the initial tender, the Authority selected two (2) suppliers who met the requisite criteria to participate in negotiations. Following negotiations, suppliers were invited to submit a final tender for evaluation.
No challenges were received during the standstill period and one successful supplier was awarded the contract to deliver the services following the standstill period.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 65
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 10
Price - Weighting: 25
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive procedure with negotiation
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-001938
four.2.9) Information about termination of call for competition in the form of a prior information notice
The contracting authority will not award any further contracts based on the above prior information notice
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15 January 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 3
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
BMJ Publishing Group Limited
BMA House Tavistock Square, London
London
WC1H 9JP
Telephone
+44 7943875555
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
National registration number
03102371
Internet address
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £19,000,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £18,998,512
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.judiciary.uk/courts-and-tribunals/high-court/
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
The High Court
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.judiciary.uk/courts-and-tribunals/high-court/
six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
The High Court
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom