Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board
Wynford House,
Somerset
BA228HR
Contact
Angela Mortley
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK23 - Somerset
NHS Organisation Data Service
11X
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/about-us/integrated-care-in-somerset/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board - Integrated Urgent Care
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
In 2018, NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (SICB) formerly known as Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group procured an Integrated Urgent Care Service (IUCS) for patients registered with a general practice in Somerset following a competitive procedure which was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (reference 2018/S 083-187661).
The IUCS contract (the Contract) was awarded to Devon Doctors Ltd (DDL) and included the delivery of NHS 111 services which were initially delivered by DDL's sub-contractor.
The contract has now been varied to reflect the fact that DDL has terminated the sub-contract and brought delivery of the NHS 111 services in-house. Such services will therefore be delivered by the lead contractor, DDL, from 30 March 2023 for the remainder of the Contract term.
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: £35,745,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK2 - Dorset and Somerset
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
As explained above, the Contract was awarded to DDL and commenced in February 2019 with an initial term of 61 months running to 31 March 2024, with the option to extend for up to 60 months at the discretion of the commissioner.
From contract commencement, DDL subcontracted the NHS 111 element of the service delivery to CareUK (now known as Practice Plus Group Urgent Care Limited (PPG)). In September 2022, SICB approved a proposal from DDL to terminate the above sub-contract and to deliver the NHS 111 services directly itself. SICB varied the contract on 16 February 2023 to reflect the above, which takes effect from 30 March 2023 onwards.
The contract variation does not amount to a material change to the IUCS Contract (that would necessitate prior advertisement) for the following reasons:
• The IUCS contract (including the NHS 111 services) was awarded to DDL and will continue to be delivered by DDL.
• There is no change to the essential contract terms; for example, there is no change to the service delivery model, the service specification (which is in any event a standard NHS document relevant for services of this nature) nor the contract price/value. The obligations on Devon Doctors remain unchanged.
• The only change is that the organisation delivering the NHS 111 element of the services on the ground will be the lead contractor, DDL, as opposed to its sub-contractor. As such, the overall nature / character of the contract has not changed and there is no extension in scope.
• The change is cost-neutral. There is no change in the economic balance of the contract and further, the change is below the thresholds stipulated in Regulation 72(5) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations").
• SICB does not consider that the change introduces conditions which would have altered the outcome nor any stage of the initial procurement procedure.
• As such the change is not substantial under Regulation 72(8) and further falls within the "de minimis" thresholds set out in Regulation 72(5). The services in any event fall within Schedule 3 of the Regulations and as such are not subject to the full regime of the PCR 2015 but are instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations. References to Regulation 72 above are therefore by way of analogy only.
This Contract Award Notice is published on a purely voluntary basis to promote transparency about the above variation to the Contract.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: As per tender documentation / Weighting: 100
Cost criterion - Name: As per Tender Documentation / Weighting: 100
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The contract commenced February 2019 with an initial term of 61 months running to 31 March 2024, with the option to extend for up to 60 months at the discretion of the commissioner.
two.2.14) Additional information
The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations but are instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2018/S 083-187661
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
16 February 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
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
Devon Doctors Limited
Exeter
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKK4 - Devon
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £35,745,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
N/A
N/A
Country
United Kingdom