Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS England South East
Premier House, 60 Caversham Road
Reading
RG1 7EB
Contact
Rebecca Rogers
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKJ - South East (England)
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS England South West
NHS England - South West Health & Justice Commissioning
South West House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton,
TA1 2PX
Contact
Rebecca Rogers
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKK - South West (England)
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract involves joint procurement
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
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
NHS England South East - Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in the South East of England & Dorset
Reference number
C247483
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of NHS England South East's and NHS England South West's, (the Commissioners'), intention to recommission Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Services in late April 2024.
Prior Information Notices have previously been published regarding the South East SARC; this is an update to inform the market that this will now include the addition of Dorset as a lot within the procurement process. NHS England South East will be the lead commissioner and Dorset SARC will be commissioned by NHS England South West.
Previous publication concerning this procedure: 2024/S 000-005754
NHS England, the Offices of the Police & Crime Commissioner (OPCCs) and Police Forces within the South East and Dorset will be seeking providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver SARC provision for both adults (18 years and over) and children (under 18 years).
The areas covered within the upcoming recommissioning exercise, and therefore likely Lots, will be:
• Kent
• Surrey
• Sussex
• Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight)
• Thames Valley (excluding Milton Keynes)
• Dorset
There is considerable variation in service provision across the SARCs, not only with regard to the age and needs of service users, but also in relation to activity, service specification, and referral pathways.
The recommissioning exercise will aim to increase equity of access and ensure a consistent and high standard of quality care to victims of sexual assault. The service will be delivered in line with current national standards, guidance and best practice, and at the same time meet the local needs of each Force area.
The procurement is anticipated to be published w/c 22nd April 2024.
This exercise is being managed by NHS South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £56,014,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85100000 - Health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ - South East (England)
Main site or place of performance
Kent
Surrey
Sussex
Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight)
Thames Valley (excluding Milton Keynes)
Dorset
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of NHS England South East's and NHS England South West's, (the Commissioners'), intention to recommission Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Services in late April 2024.
Prior Information Notices have previously been published regarding the South East SARC; this is an update to inform the market that this will now include the addition of Dorset as a lot within the procurement process. NHS England South East will be the lead commissioner and Dorset SARC will be commissioned by NHS England South West.
Previous publication concerning this procedure: 2024/S 000-005754
NHS England, the Offices of the Police & Crime Commissioner (OPCCs) and Police Forces within the South East and Dorset will be seeking providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver SARC provision for both adults (18 years and over) and children (under 18 years).
The areas covered within the upcoming recommissioning exercise, and therefore likely Lots, alongside the indicative maximum contract values will be:
• Kent: £9,041,000
• Surrey: £9,041,000
• Sussex: £9,041,000
• Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight): £9,041,000
• Thames Valley (excluding Milton Keynes): £13,550,000
• Dorset: £6,300,000
Due to its geography, it is proposed that there will be two SARC premises in Thames Valley. For all other areas, one SARC premise is proposed.
The services within scope, include core SARC provision, SARC management, the provision of medical and forensic examinations (both acute and non-recent), crisis support and onward referral services for people who have experienced sexual assault. It should be noted that non-recent cases will not necessarily need to be undertaken at the (accredited) SARC site.
There is considerable variation in service provision across the SARCs, not only with regard to the age and needs of service users, but also in relation to activity, service specification, and referral pathways.
The recommissioning exercise will aim to increase equity of access and ensure a consistent and high standard of quality care to victims of sexual assault. The service will be delivered in line with current national standards, guidance and best practice, and at the same time meet the local needs of each Force area.
The Provider will ensure that services are delivered in an age-appropriate way for children and adults; all staff must meet the skills and competences commensurate with the role they are performing. The service should consider safeguarding, health and forensic requirements in line with current and relevant guidelines.
It is likely that Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services and therapeutic provision including counselling and talking therapies, will be out of scope. However, the SARC provider/s will work closely with these services and ensure service users are referred to onward provision as appropriate.
The contract term for South East SARCs is likely to commence on 1st April 2025 and will be fixed for a duration of seven years.
The contract term for Dorset SARC is likely to commence in January 2025 and will be fixed for a duration of seven years.
TUPE is likely to apply.
two.2.14) Additional information
These services are healthcare services falling within the Health Care Services, (Provider Selection Regime) (PSR) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, (and the 'Light Touch Regime' contained therein), do not apply to these services and thus do not apply to this notice.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
22 April 2024
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
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This notice is for information only rather than a call for competition in its own right, and therefore publication or response does not commit the Authority or respondents to a future procurement, nor provide any process exemptions or preferential treatment to any parties expressing an interest. The Authority will not be liable for costs incurred by any interested party in participating in this exercise.
These services are healthcare services falling within the Health Care Services, (Provider Selection Regime) (PSR) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, (and the 'Light Touch Regime' contained therein), do not apply to these services and thus do not apply to this notice.
This exercise is being managed by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.