Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
SOUTH CENTRAL AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
UNIT 7 &8 TALISMAN BUSINESS CENTRE
BICESTER
OX266HR
Contact
Julie Robins
Telephone
+44 7815476108
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
NHS Organisation Data Service
None
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
GP Clinical Assessment Service - Cat 3 & 4
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85121100 - General-practitioner services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Intention to award a Contract under THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES (PROVIDER SELECTION REGIME)
REGULATIONS 2023 - Direct Award Process C for the provision of a GP Lead Clinical Assessment Service for Category 3 & 4 - to allow for calls to the Urgent Care phone line to be assessed by GPs over the telephone, reducing the need for dispatching ambulances in cases where the medical need
would be better served by a different clinical solution. Achieving an 80% downgrade rate.
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: £2,733,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ - South East (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
As part of the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) remit to operate the 999 call service, it was identified that ambulances were being sent to patients
that didn't need them, which otherwise could have been downgraded over the phone, reducing the need to dispatch an ambulance unnecessarily, and reducing the pressure and
demand on the use of ambulances.
A subcontract was set up between SCAS and their subcontractor to provide a GP Clinical Assessment Service to support this.
The existing contract is due to expire on 31st March 2025.
The contract has shown a huge benefit to SCAS - downgrade rates of 80%.
As a result of the success of the contract, an additional one year contract is required from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026, with an option to extend for a further additional year. to 31st March 2027.
If the contract expires with no replacement, SCAS and the public would experience a huge drop in service level, and an unnecessary dispatching of ambulances, putting further pressure on ambulance resources.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
One additional optional extension year is allowable as part of this contract placement.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
The contract falls under the THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES (PROVIDER SELECTION REGIME)
REGULATIONS 2023.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Title
GP Clinical Assessment Service - Cat 3 & 4
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
6 February 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
East Berkshire Primary Care Out of Hours
Inspired, Easthampstead Road,
Bracknell, Berkshire
RG12 1YQ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ - South East (England)
Companies House
IP29827R
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £2,733,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This notice is to publish our intention to award a contract using THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES (PROVIDER SELECTION REGIME) REGULATIONS 2023 - Direct Award Process C.
A mandatory 8 working day standstill period will be observed, until 19th February 2025.
A subsequent award notice will be published in due course
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Northern House, 7&8 Talisman Business Centre, Talisman Road,
Bicester
OX26 6HR
Country
United Kingdom