Awarded contract

Safe and Warm: Providing a Critical Lifeline to Dialysis Patients Across the UK

  • NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

F06: Contract award notice – utilities

Notice reference: 2024/S 000-015591

Published 16 May 2024, 2:56pm



Section one: Contracting entity

one.1) Name and addresses

NORTHERN GAS NETWORKS LIMITED

1100 Cetury Way,Thorpe Park Business Centre, Colton

LEEDS

LS158TU

Contact

Kitty Blyth

Email

kblyth@northerngas.co.uk

Telephone

+44 7561872579

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKE42 - Leeds

Companies House

05167070

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk

one.6) Main activity

Production, transport and distribution of gas and heat


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Safe and Warm: Providing a Critical Lifeline to Dialysis Patients Across the UK

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

A contract has been awarded by NGN to Kidney Care UK.

Kidney Care UK provided a proposal to provide a holistic support package by building on the early success of their VCMA project with WWU and the Welsh Kidney Network, combined with a complementary telephone helpline service that will amplify KCUK's allied services such as free renal counselling and financial grants to patients. Total target beneficiary base of 17,667 across the networks. For patients on dialysis: a dedicated, personal, face-to-face support service serving the 8,867 kidney patients on dialysis treatment in the 128 renal units across the North East, North West, the South West and South East of England, and Scotland. Delivered by trained and trusted Patient Support Officers (PSOs), the service will enable patients to access all the benefits and welfare support they are entitled to. Patients will also benefit from access to specialist money and energy advice, framed within the context of the specific challenges faced by kidney patients. Over the two years of the project, they would expect to directly reach the total number of patients receiving dialysis in these focus regions - currently 8,867. For patients with advanced CKD: The face-to-face service will be further enhanced by a new 0800/0300 helpline, providing immediate support across a wide range of issues accompanied, which builds on local Hampshire-based team who currently answer inbound enquiries to the charity. Look to expand this provision and make it easier for people living with CKD to get in touch. Using a free-to-call number (0800 or 0300) people will be encouraged to contact them without charge, and without geographical reference. Calls will then be directed to the first available operator who will be able to answer their query with specialist knowledge of the condition and further support that could be available to the caller.

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: £2,577,376.62

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKC - North East (England)
  • UKD - North West (England)
  • UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
  • UKF - East Midlands (England)
  • UKG - West Midlands (England)
  • UKH - East of England
  • UKI - London
  • UKJ - South East (England)
  • UKK - South West (England)
  • UKL - Wales
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

A contract has been awarded to Kidney Care UK.

Kidney Care UK have provided a proposal to provide a holistic support package by building on the early success of their VCMA project with WWU and the Welsh Kidney Network, combined with a complementary telephone helpline service that will amplify KCUK's allied services such as free renal counselling and financial grants to patients. Total target beneficiary base of 17,667 across the networks. For patients on dialysis: a dedicated, personal, face-to-face support service serving the 8,867 kidney patients on dialysis treatment in the 128 renal units across the North East, North West, the South West and South East of England, and Scotland. Delivered by trained and trusted Patient Support Officers (PSOs), the service will enable patients to access all the benefits and welfare support they are entitled to. Patients will also benefit from access to specialist money and energy advice, framed within the context of the specific challenges faced by kidney patients. Over the two years of the project, they would expect to directly reach the total number of patients receiving dialysis in these focus regions - currently 8,867. For patients with advanced CKD: The face-to-face service will be further enhanced by a new 0800/0300 helpline, providing immediate support across a wide range of issues accompanied, which builds on local Hampshire-based team who currently answer inbound enquiries to the charity. Look to expand this provision and make it easier for people living with CKD to get in touch. Using a free-to-call number (0800 or 0300) people will be encouraged to contact them without charge, and without geographical reference. Calls will then be directed to the first available operator who will be able to answer their query with specialist knowledge of the condition and further support that could be available to the caller.

This project operates across all the GDN networks and aligns to collective GDN strategic ambition to support vulnerable customers most in need. It will provide support to consumers living with CKD to help tackle fuel poverty, resulting in a positive Social Return on Investment.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

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 works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
    • absence of competition for technical reasons

Explanation:

Kidney Care UK is the UK's leading kidney patient support charity. They offer advice, support and financial grants and assistance to thousands of kidney patients and their families every year. Established in 1975 as the British Kidney Patient Association, Kidney Care UK has been at the forefront of supporting people affected by kidney disease for over 45 years.

All GDN's have agreed to accept this proposal provided by KCUK as it looks to provide a holistic support package by building on the early success of their VCMA project with WWU and the Welsh Kidney Network, combined with a complementary telephone helpline service that will amplify KCUK's allied services such as

free renal counselling and financial grants to patients.

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2024/S 000-005901


Section five. Award of contract

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

18 March 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 1

Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Kidney Care UK

Hampshire

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKK - South West (England)
Companies House

01228114

The contractor is an SME

Yes

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

Total value of the contract/lot: £2,577,376.62


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Northern Gas Networks

Leeds

Country

United Kingdom