Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Units 7&8 Talisman Business Centre
BICESTER
OX266HR
Contact
Julie Robins
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 Public Services Contract under Regulation 32(2) (b) (ii) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 for the provision of a GP Lead Clinical Assessment Service for Cat 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.
The Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication is being followed and is justified under Regulation 32 (2) (b) (ii).
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: £3,651,515
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85141000 - Services provided by medical personnel
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.
An opportunity was identified whereby if there were suitably qualified clinical personnel to direct these calls to, this would save ambulance resource and as a result make a monetary saving for the Trust. This would result in calls coming in to the call centres being downgraded to Category 3s or 4s, and avoiding the need to dispatch an emergency ambulance to these patients.
An initial one year pilot contract between SCAS & local commissioners was set up based on testing the viability and success of the required outcome. A pilot subcontract was set up between SCAS and their subcontractor provide a GP Clinical Assessment Service to support this opportunity.
The existing contract is due to expire on 26th April 2023. The pilot has shown a huge benefit to SCAS - downgrade rates of 80%.
As a result of the success with the pilot contract, an additional 18 month contract is required to fill the gap between current contract end date, and the current commissioned services expiry dates. 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.
The existing pilot contract provision is due to expire on 26th April 2023. Due to the short timescales involved, and the need for the service to be successfully operating immediately, SCAS conducted a tender process with a closed group of 5 existing subcontractor healthcare providers, that already provide these or very similar services to SCAS.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- New works/services, constituting a repetition of existing works/services
Explanation:
The Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication is being followed and is justified under Regulation 32 (2) (b) (ii) - Technical Reasons.
1. Technical reasons: The GP-led option consistently overachieves on the model of 80% downgrades of Cat 3 & 4 and 3 calls per hour. This needs to be maintained within the timescales available.
2. Economic reasons: The GP-led option is the most cost-effective and offers the best quality
3. Legal reasons: Potential TUPE risks exist and are currently being assessed
Non-discriminatory decision: Five suppliers were invited to tender, and the evaluation process was transparent and fair.
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
30 March 2023
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
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £3,651,515
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This is a VEAT notice to show our intention to award a public services contract using the Negotiated Procedure without prior publication (Regulation 32 (2) (b) (ii)).
A mandatory 10 day standstill period will be observed, until 9th April 2023.
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