Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Hampshire County Council
The Castle, High Street
Winchester
SO238UJ
Contact
Chloe Wells
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ36 - Central Hampshire
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Embedding Smoking Cessation In NHS Talking Therapies
Reference number
AS28601
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85121270 - Psychiatrist or psychologist services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Hampshire Council is seeking a provider via the Most Suitable Provider process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 to embed smoking cessation into talking therapies.
Description of Service and Initiative:
OHID has allocated funding to local authorities in England through the Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant (LSSSSG). The grant aims to strengthen smoking cessation services in Hampshire, increase quit attempts, and support the government's ambition for a smoke-free generation. It focuses on expanding access to evidence-based behavioural support and targeting groups with higher smoking rates to reduce health inequalities.
Smoking is strongly linked to anxiety and depression, with higher smoking rates among people with mental health conditions. While smoking harms physical health, it also worsens mental health outcomes. Evidence shows quitting smoking can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, highlighting the potential role of talking therapies in both smoking cessation. Evidence demonstrates that talking therapies and counselling significantly increase long-term quit rates.
Hampshire Council is seeking a suitable provider of NHS Talking Therapy services to embed smoking cessation offer into established services in Hampshire. The talking therapy services offered must free at the point of access with the provider able to embed Very Brief Advice into its talking therapy service. It must employ a clinical psychologist who is able to provide oversight and leadership to the programme. The activity will possibly include developing training materials and training staff, embedding Very Brief Advice into talking therapy services and offering online webinars.
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Intention to Award Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 or Public Contract Regulations 2015 do not apply to this contract.
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: £120,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Hampshire Council is seeking a provider via the Most Suitable Provider process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 to embed smoking cessation into talking therapies.
Description of Service and Initiative:
OHID has allocated funding to local authorities in England through the Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant (LSSSSG). The grant aims to strengthen smoking cessation services in Hampshire, increase quit attempts, and support the government's ambition for a smoke-free generation. It focuses on expanding access to evidence-based behavioural support and targeting groups with higher smoking rates to reduce health inequalities.
Smoking is strongly linked to anxiety and depression, with higher smoking rates among people with mental health conditions. While smoking harms physical health, it also worsens mental health outcomes. Evidence shows quitting smoking can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, highlighting the potential role of talking therapies in both smoking cessation. Evidence demonstrates that talking therapies and counselling significantly increase long-term quit rates.
Hampshire Council is seeking a suitable provider of NHS Talking Therapy services to embed smoking cessation offer into established services in Hampshire. The talking therapy services offered must free at the point of access with the provider able to embed Very Brief Advice into its talking therapy service. It must employ a clinical psychologist who is able to provide oversight and leadership to the programme. The activity will possibly include developing training materials and training staff, embedding Very Brief Advice into talking therapy services and offering online webinars.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Most suitable provider process with regard to key critera / Weighting: 100
Cost criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 0
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 00:00 on 26th February 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
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
Contract No
1
Title
Embedding Smoking Cessation In NHS Talking Therapies
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 February 2026
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Sterne 7
Tatchbury Mount, Calmore
SO40 2RZ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £98,000
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
2
Title
Embedding Smoking Cessation In NHS Talking Therapies
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 February 2026
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
NORTH HAMPSHIRE URGENT CARE LIMITED
Frimley Park Hospital
Portsmouth Rd, Camberley
GU16 7UJ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Companies House
IP29835R
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £22,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Hampshire County Council
Winchester
Country
United Kingdom