Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Units 7 and 8, Talisman Business Centre
Bicester
OX26 6HR
Contact
Heerum Fleary
Telephone
+44 7966558019
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.proactisplaza.com/BuyerPortal/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.proactisplaza.com/BuyerPortal/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
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
Market Engagement for Commercial Strategy for Urgent Care PPs
Reference number
DN1341
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85143000 - Ambulance services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) are undertaking a full commercial review to reset its commercial strategy for delivering sustainable private provider Urgent Care as an extension of in-house Urgent Care.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85143000 - Ambulance services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
SCAS provides urgent care to more than four million people across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire. To achieve 999 operational performance, and response time standards, the Trust relies partly on the use of commercial ‘Private Provider’ resources to support its own in-house capacity.
The requirement to use external resources is continuing to grow as demand increases. The spend on the Private Providers for the previous four years has been approximately £15 million per annum, for the forthcoming year from 1st April 2022, the spend is forecasted at £30 million.
SCAS, as lead Contracting Authority, is seeking via this Prior Information Notice (PIN) to engage with the market with previous, current, and potentially new Private Providers by understanding the market. By understanding the market to establish the strategy for the next five-year period.
SCAS’s requirements for the Commercial Strategy for Urgent Care PPs is to successfully fulfil project objectives and complete the project as intended throughout the Trust.
The objectives are as follows:
1. A full commercial review of all aspects pertaining to Urgent Care provision undertaken by Private Providers, including but not limited to:
- The cost of delivery - from staff to vehicles to premises and clinical compliance.
- The 'company model' in terms of the structure, methodology, market sustainability and employment contracts.
- Scalability.
- Internal training and development
- Contract length.
- Adding value to the NHS in terms of other services provided such as NEPTS, training for NHS staff.
2. Developing a more effective and constantly improving supplier relationship model in line with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.
3. The output of an effective rolling Commercial Strategy that works with the market to meet the ever-changing needs of the NHS.
The current Private Providers are issued with a 12-month contract from 31st March – 1st April. SCAS has been issuing the same contract for 4 years with very little or no input from the Private Providers.
The current model of tendering for the Urgent Care via Private Providers is not fully meeting the Trust requirements. The recommendation, therefore, is to engage with the market and drive the required change that is essential to meet the Trust needs effectively.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
31 May 2022
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes