Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU
Contact
Gauri Jain
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS 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.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Health and Care
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
DHSC: PIN for Market Engagement of Research Delivery Network coordinating centre re procurement
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
DHSC funds the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR’s purpose is to fund, enable and deliver health and social care research. NIHR’s policy and functions are directed by DHSC’s Chief Scientific Advisor and Science Research & Evidence Directorate. The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) supports patients, the public, and health and care organisations across England to participate in high-quality research. The CRN comprises 15 Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs), which support the delivery of high-quality research across all geographies and therapy areas. National leadership and coordination are provided by the Clinical Research Network coordinating centre (CRNCC). DHSC is looking to undertake a retendering process to award a contract to provide the coordinating centre for 5 years starting on 1/4/2024 with the option to extend for up to a further 4 years. This PIN is to advise prospective providers of the Commissioner’s intention.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £100,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI3 - Inner London – West
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The DHSC’s current contract for the CRNCC runs until 31 March 2024. Funding for the LCRNs is provided directly to the NHS via DHSC agreements with each NHS organisation that acts as a host for a LCRN. The CRNCC manages the contracts for the 15 LCRNs on behalf of DHSC. The current annual budget for the CRNCC is approximately £25 million. The structure of the CRN will continue to comprise regional networks plus a national coordinating centre, and DHSC is implementing a number of evolutionary changes for the future network through this contract, including: a change in the name of the CRN to the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) to better reflect the scope and purpose of the network. The coordinating centre will coordinate a joint leadership function with the regional networks and DHSC so that the RDN operates as a single organisation with a shared vision and purpose across England. The joint leadership function will balance regional context, expertise, and relationships with national coordination and strategy.
It is the intention of the Authority that this procurement will be conducted as a competitive procedure with negotiation (under Regulation 29 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015). The ITT is expected to be published later in 2022; a separate advert will be released in this respect. We intend to hold a Market Engagement event in mid-May 2022.
If you have any questions relating to this upcoming opportunity, please direct your emails to Gauri.Jain@dhsc.gov.uk
Note: This Prior Information Notice is not a call for competition.
The Authority may amend any information in this PIN at its sole discretion.
two.2.14) Additional information
More information on NIHR and CRN via https://www.nihr.ac.uk/
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/clinical-research-network.htm
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
14 April 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