Opportunity

NHS England and NHS Improvement South West - Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across the South West

  • The NHS Commissioning Board operating as NHS England

F21: Social and other specific services – public contracts (contract notice)

Notice reference: 2021/S 000-010886

Published 17 May 2021, 6:43pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

The NHS Commissioning Board operating as NHS England

Leeds

Contact

Alexandra Searle

Email

alexandra.searle@nhs.net

Telephone

+44 1179002569

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKK - South West (England)

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.england.nhs.uk/

Buyer's address

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home

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 England and NHS Improvement South West - Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across the South West

Reference number

WA10324/1

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) South West, in partnership with the South West Offices of the Police & Crime Commissioners and Police Forces are re-commissioning Sexual Offence Examiner (SOE) and Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provision for both adults and paediatrics across the South West.

Through this recommissioning exercise, SARC and SOE provision are being integrated under one delivery model.

For the purposes of this procurement, the South West refers to the below areas and subsequently is divided into the following lots:

1. Avon & Somerset

2. Devon & Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly)

3. Swindon & Wiltshire and Gloucestershire

Providers may bid for one or more of the above lots.

The overarching aim of the re-commissioning exercise is to secure provider(s) of SARC services who can meet the specification requirements and has (have) the necessary capacity and capability to:

- Deliver high quality, safe and compassionate services focused on meeting the needs of victims/ survivors of sexual assault

- Respond positively to the recommendations of the Health Needs Assessment (2020)

- Deliver services which meet national clinical standards, legislation and guidance

- Deliver integrated SARC and SOE services in addition to onward referrals along the Sexual Assault and Abuse Services (SAAS) pathway

- Improve cross-border links between SARCs, both within the region and outside of the South West region. - Continuously improve and remain responsive to changing needs and fluctuating demand

- Ensure services are of a standard to meet UKAS/ Forensic Regulator accreditation requirements from October 2023

This procurement is taking the form of a two-stage process. The closing date 18th June is the submission date for Stage 1 Applications and thus the close date for expressing an interest in these services.

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £31,403,539

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

Tenders may be submitted for all lots

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Avon and Somerset

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK1 - Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area
  • UKK2 - Dorset and Somerset
Main site or place of performance

Avon & Somerset

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The overarching aim of the re-commissioning exercise is to secure a provider to deliver SARC services in Avon & Somerset who can meet the specification requirements and has (have) the necessary capacity and capability to:

• Deliver high quality, safe and compassionate services focused on meeting the needs of victims/ survivors of sexual assault

• Respond positively to the recommendations of the Health Needs Assessment (2020)

• Deliver services which meet national clinical standards, legislation and guidance

• Deliver integrated SARC and SOE services in addition to onward referrals along the Sexual Assault and Abuse Services (SAAS) pathway

• Improve cross-border links between SARCs, both within the region and outside of the South West region

• Continuously improve and remain responsive to changing needs and fluctuating demand

• Ensure services are of a standard to meet UKAS/ Forensic Regulator accreditation requirements from October 2023

The services within scope of this lot include core SARC provision (primarily the provision of medical, forensic, crisis support and onward referral services for people who have experienced sexual assault).

Provision within Avon & Somerset includes both adult services and paediatric services delivered from a 'Paediatric Centre of Excellence' (COE).

In addition to cases from the Avon and Somerset region, the COE (and thus this lot) also covers recent paediatric cases from Swindon & Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

The following services are out of scope:

• Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services

• Therapeutic provision

• Non-recent/ historic Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) services

References made to standards and guidance throughout the specifications are in line with existing and current guidance; where standards and guidance are reviewed and updated during the life of the contract, SARC services must maintain compliance with any changes and as such the contract may be varied accordingly.

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £9,873,613

two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement

Start date

1 October 2022

End date

30 September 2029

two.2.14) Additional information

The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but is instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Devon & Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK3 - Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
  • UKK4 - Devon
Main site or place of performance

Devon & Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The overarching aim of the re-commissioning exercise is to secure a provider to deliver SARC services in Devon & Cornwall who can meet the specification requirements and has (have) the necessary capacity and capability to:

- Deliver high quality, safe and compassionate services focused on meeting the needs of victims/ survivors of sexual assault

- Respond positively to the recommendations of the Health Needs Assessment (2020)

- Deliver services which meet national clinical standards, legislation and guidance

- Deliver integrated SARC and SOE services in addition to onward referrals along the Sexual Assault and Abuse Services (SAAS) pathway

- Improve cross-border links between SARCs, both within the region and outside of the South West region

- Continuously improve and remain responsive to changing needs and fluctuating demand

- Ensure services are of a standard to meet UKAS/ Forensic Regulator accreditation requirements from October 2023

The services within scope of this re-commissioning exercise include core SARC provision (primarily the provision of medical, forensic, crisis support and onward referral services for people who have experienced sexual assault).

Provision within Devon & Cornwall includes both adult and paediatric services, seeing cases from across the Peninsula, including the Isles of Scilly.

Paediatric provision is delivered from a 'Paediatric Centre of Excellence' (COE) in Exeter.

In addition, the provision of non-recent Child Sexual Abuse services for Devon & Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is in scope.

The following services are out of scope:

- Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services

- Therapeutic provision

References made to standards and guidance throughout the specifications are in line with existing and current guidance; where standards and guidance are reviewed and updated during the life of the contract, SARC services must maintain compliance with any changes and as such the contract may be varied accordingly.

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £13,985,616

two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement

Start date

1 October 2022

End date

30 September 2029

two.2.14) Additional information

The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but is instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Swindon & Wiltshire and Gloucestershire

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK1 - Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area
Main site or place of performance

Swindon & Wiltshire and Gloucestershire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The overarching aim of the re-commissioning exercise is to secure a provider to deliver SARC services across both Swindon & Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, who can meet the specification requirements and has (have) the necessary capacity and capability to:

- Deliver high quality, safe and compassionate services focused on meeting the needs of victims/ survivors of sexual assault

- Respond positively to the recommendations of the Health Needs Assessment (2020)

- Deliver services which meet national clinical standards, legislation and guidance

- Deliver integrated SARC and SOE services in addition to onward referrals along the Sexual Assault and Abuse Services (SAAS) pathway

- Improve cross-border links between SARCs, both within the region and outside of the South West region

- Continuously improve and remain responsive to changing needs and fluctuating demand

- Ensure services are of a standard to meet UKAS/ Forensic Regulator accreditation requirements from October 2023

The services within scope of this re-commissioning exercise include core SARC provision (primarily the provision of medical, forensic, crisis support and onward referral services for people who have experienced sexual assault).

Provision within this region (lot) includes adult services only (aged 16 and above).

The following services are out of scope:

- Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services

- Therapeutic provision

- Recent and non-recent/ historic Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) services

References made to standards and guidance throughout the specifications are in line with existing and current guidance; where standards and guidance are reviewed and updated during the life of the contract, SARC services must maintain compliance with any changes and as such the contract may be varied accordingly.

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £7,544,310

two.2.7) Duration of the contract or the framework agreement

Start date

1 October 2022

End date

30 September 2029

two.2.14) Additional information

The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but is 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.1.11) Main features of the award procedure

This procurement is taking the form of a two-stage process. The closing date of 18th June is the submission date for Stage 1 Applications and thus the close date for expressing an interest in these services.

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Stage 1 takes the form of a Provider Capability Assessment, including both a standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) and narrative questions to gauge Provider suitability.

Providers shortlisted at Stage 1 will be taken forward to Stage 2 of the process.

Areas of assessment at Stage 1 include experience, staffing and premises.

Stage 2 will either take the form of (a) a non-competitive Provider and Service Assurance Process (where only one capable Provider is identified at Stage 1); or (b) a competitive tendering process (where more than one capable Provider is identified at Stage 1), for each lot.

Providers may submit an Application for one, two or three lots. However, each lot will be considered separately and assessed in their own right. There are separate specifications, supporting documentation and Stage 1 question sets for each lot.

Full details can be found in the Provider Capability Assessment Instructions document within In-Tend.

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

18 June 2021

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'current tenders' list on the e-procurement system In-Tend, available on the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home

In order to submit a bid, you will need to be registered on the e-procurement system and 'express an interest', and then complete a response as specified within the procurement documents.

On registration, please include at least two contacts to allow for access to the system in times of absence.

The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but is instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).

The tendering process will be conducted in accordance with the requirements and flexibilities provided by Articles 74 to 76 of the Directive, and Regulations 74 to 76 of the Regulations. The Authority will run a transparent tender process, treating all Bidders equally. For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority will not be bound by the Regulations or the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union or any other regulations or legislation except for the specific parts or circumstances that apply to the procurement of these Services.

Neither the inclusion of a Bidder selection stage, nor the use of any language or terms found in the Directive or Regulations, nor the description of the procedure voluntarily adopted by the Authority ("Open", "Restricted", "Competitive Procedure with Negotiation", "Competitive Dialogue" or any other description), nor any other indication, shall be taken to mean that the Authority intends to hold itself bound by the Directive or Regulations, save by the provisions applicable to services coming within the scope of Annex XIV of the Directive / Schedule 3 of the Regulations.

Where a competitive tender procedure is followed at Stage 2, the Contracting Authority intends to voluntarily observe the award decision notices provisions and 10 day standstill period described in Regulation 86 of the Regulations. Unsuccessful Bidders will receive scores and reasons for the decision, including the characteristics and relative advantages of the winning bid and the reasons why the Bidder/application was unsuccessful. Deadline for lodging of appeals should be in accordance with Regulation 87 and Regulation 91 of the Regulations.

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

High Court

London

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

As described in VI.3, deadline for lodging of appeals should be in accordance with Regulation 87 and Regulation 91 of the 2015 Regulations.