Award

Consultant Connect

  • NHS North Central London CCG

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2021/S 000-015130

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-02c28e

Published 1 July 2021, 5:23pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

NHS North Central London CCG

Holbrook House, Cockfosters Road

Barnet

EN4 0DR

Contact

Stephen Ivuerah

Email

nelcsu.clinical-procurement@nhs.net

Telephone

+44 7747234703

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKI - London

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://northcentrallondonccg.nhs.uk

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

Consultant Connect

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 48000000 - Software package and information systems

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

Consultant Connect provides a digital platform to enable both a telephone based and clinically secure photo messaging application for Clinical Advice & Guidance service. It primarily uses an App to allow GPs to connect with a consultant or other healthcare professional in a timely manner.

NCL CCG wishes to continue the existing Consultant Connect pilot established in the boroughs in Barnet and Enfield. The extension will allow the roll out of the service to the remaining boroughs of NCL CCG. This will allow all stakeholders to experience the service. Feedback from all stakeholders will allow the development of a specification ahead of market testing for 2022/23

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: £304,800

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKI - London

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Consultant Connect provides a digital platform to enable both a telephone based and clinically secure photo messaging application for Clinical Advice & Guidance service. It primarily uses an App to allow GPs to connect with a consultant or other healthcare professional in a timely manner.

NCL CCG currently holds a contract with Consultant Connect that covers the borough of Enfield until 31st March 2022. The service also operates as a pilot in Barnet with NHS England funding. The CCG intends to roll the service to cover the boroughs of Camden, Haringey and Islington. This intention will expand the current pilot until 31st March 2022. This will inform a NCL wide specification that the CCG can use to undertake a full market test prior to April 2022.

Therefore the CCG wishes to make a direct contract award under Regulation 32 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, on the grounds set out in Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) (competition being absent for technical reasons). No other organisation can offer a comprehensive range of acute, community and mental health specialties that are facilitated locally but backed up by a wider national network on NHS clinicians, to ensure reliability in terms of connectivity and service coverage.

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:

The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason, Consultant Connect provides a digital platform that allows fast reliable advice and guidance between clinicians via either telephony or messaging. The platform provides a consistent level of stability and importantly a high level of connectivity with exceptional connection times measured in seconds. The service is able to offer a range of specialties covering both physical and mental health. The service is integrated with key local providers but is entirely backed up by a national network of NHS clinicians. This ensures that primary care always has access to immediate advice and guidance. The service also allows clinicians from providers to engage from clinicians from other local providers as well as the national network, thus facilitating the creation and development of local system working. No other organisation can provide the level of stability, connectivity, consistency and breadth of coverage that Consultant Connect offer.

Therefore the CCG wishes to make a direct contract award under Regulation 32 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, on the grounds set out in Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) (competition being absent for technical reasons). This is on the basis that no other organisation can offer a comprehensive range of acute, community and mental health specialties that are facilitated locally but backed up by a wider national network on NHS clinicians, to ensure reliability in terms of connectivity and service coverage.

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

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

1 July 2021

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

Consultant Connect Ltd

St Aldates

Oxford

OX1 1DE

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ - South East (England)
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £304,800

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £304,800


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

NEL

2nd Floor, 1 Lower Marsh

London

SE1 7NT

Country

United Kingdom