Tender

NHS England South West - Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes for Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire (BNSSG)

  • NHS England

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

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-017667

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03b81e

Published 21 June 2023, 1:52pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

NHS England

Three-Six-Zero - 360, Marlborough Street

Bristol

BS1 3NX

Contact

Hannah Morley

Email

scwcsu.procurement@nhs.net

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKK11 - Bristol, City of

Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

Internet address(es)

Main address

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

Buyer's address

https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

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

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

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 West - Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes for Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire (BNSSG)

Reference number

C185632

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

NHSE South West (The Commissioner) seeks to re-commission five Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) to deliver screening to the eligible populations of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (Lot 1), Devon (Lot 2), Somerset (Lot 3), Gloucestershire (Lot 4), and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) (Lot 5).

The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with, a GP in the lot area, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units and the armed forces.

The aim of the DESP is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.

This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:

•Identifies the eligible population and ensures effective delivery with maximum coverage

•Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured

•Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment and improved outcomes

•Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participate in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD) and quality assurance (QA) schemes

•Has audit embedded in the service

•Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway is smooth and efficient

There are 3 key elements of service delivery, namely:

•Call/recall for all people with diabetes invited for routine digital screening; this is currently undertaken on an annual basis, but screening intervals are likely to extend to 2 years for people at low risk during the contract term, in line with national guidance

•Digital surveillance where individuals need more frequent screening

•Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography is inappropriate (e.g. those having cataracts).

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) does not form part of this Contract at this time, though this position may change over the life of the contract in line with national guidance.

The Services will be commissioned using the national service specification for DESP Services, localised where appropriate.

The Contract term will be 6 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. The Contracts are due to commence on 1st April 2024.

The 9 year estimated contract values, based on predicted activity levels, are:

Lot 1 = £9,588,607

Lot 2 = £24,522,731

Lot 3 = £13,581,836

Lot 4 = £11,231,506

Lot 5 = £15,468,533

The Contract will operate on a hybrid basis with a fixed "block" element based upon the actual activity for routine screening in 2021/2022 plus a variable element for digital surveillance and SLB and a further variable element to incentivise uptake to 85%. Variable elements will be paid according to activity undertaken.

The Commissioner's ambition through the financial model is to encourage uptake of DESP to achieve or exceed the national achievable target of 85% uptake in routine screening (DE1).

National changes to screening frequency for low risk individuals are expected to be implemented during the contract term which will have an impact on activity. The subsequent impact on contract values will be agreed between the Provider and the Commissioner via contract variation.

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

Interested providers will be able to view the opportunity and access the tender documentation via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £74,393,213

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

Diabetic Eye Screening Programme for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

Lot No

1

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

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NHSE South West (The Commissioner) seeks to re-commission a Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) to deliver screening to the eligible population of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with, a GP in the lot area, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units and the armed forces.

The aim of the DESP is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.

This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:

•Identifies the eligible population and ensures effective delivery with maximum coverage

•Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured

•Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment and improved outcomes

•Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participate in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD) and quality assurance (QA) schemes

•Has audit embedded in the service

•Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway is smooth and efficient

There are 3 key elements of service delivery, namely:

•Call/recall for all people with diabetes invited for routine digital screening; this is currently undertaken on an annual basis, but screening intervals are likely to extend to 2 years for people at low risk during the contract term, in line with national guidance

•Digital surveillance where individuals need more frequent screening

•Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography is inappropriate (e.g. those having cataracts).

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) does not form part of this Contract at this time, though this position may change over the life of the contract in line with national guidance.

The Services will be commissioned using the national service specification for DESP Services, localised where appropriate.

The Contract term will be 6 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. The Contract is due to commence on 1st April 2024.

The 9 year estimated contract value, based on predicted activity levels, is £9,588,607.

The Contract will operate on a hybrid basis with a fixed "block" element based upon the actual activity for routine screening in 2021/2022 plus a variable element for digital surveillance and SLB and a further variable element to incentivise uptake to 85%. Variable elements will be paid according to activity undertaken.

The Commissioner's ambition through the financial model is to encourage uptake of DESP to achieve or exceed the national achievable target of 85% uptake in routine screening (DE1).

National changes to screening frequency for low risk individuals are expected to be implemented during the contract term which will have an impact on activity. The subsequent impact on contract values will be agreed between the Provider and the Commissioner via contract variation.

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £9,588,607

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

Duration in months

108

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 are 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

Diabetic Eye Screening Programme for Devon

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK4 - Devon

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NHSE South West (The Commissioner) seeks to re-commission a Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) to deliver screening to the eligible population of Devon.

The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with, a GP in the lot area, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units and the armed forces.

The aim of the DESP is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.

This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:

•Identifies the eligible population and ensures effective delivery with maximum coverage

•Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured

•Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment and improved outcomes

•Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participate in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD) and quality assurance (QA) schemes

•Has audit embedded in the service

•Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway is smooth and efficient

There are 3 key elements of service delivery, namely:

•Call/recall for all people with diabetes invited for routine digital screening; this is currently undertaken on an annual basis, but screening intervals are likely to extend to 2 years for people at low risk during the contract term, in line with national guidance

•Digital surveillance where individuals need more frequent screening

•Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography is inappropriate (e.g. those having cataracts).

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) does not form part of this Contract at this time, though this position may change over the life of the contract in line with national guidance.

The Services will be commissioned using the national service specification for DESP Services, localised where appropriate.

The Contract term will be 6 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. The Contract is due to commence on 1st April 2024.

The 9 year estimated contract value, based on predicted activity levels, is £24,522,731.

The Contract will operate on a hybrid basis with a fixed "block" element based upon the actual activity for routine screening in 2021/2022 plus a variable element for digital surveillance and SLB and a further variable element to incentivise uptake to 85%. Variable elements will be paid according to activity undertaken.

The Commissioner's ambition through the financial model is to encourage uptake of DESP to achieve or exceed the national achievable target of 85% uptake in routine screening (DE1).

National changes to screening frequency for low risk individuals are expected to be implemented during the contract term which will have an impact on activity. The subsequent impact on contract values will be agreed between the Provider and the Commissioner via contract variation.

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £24,522,731

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

Duration in months

108

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 are 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

Diabetic Eye Screening Programme for Somerset

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK23 - Somerset

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NHSE South West (The Commissioner) seeks to re-commission a Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) to deliver screening to the eligible population of Somerset.

The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with, a GP in the lot area, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units and the armed forces.

The aim of the DESP is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.

This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:

•Identifies the eligible population and ensures effective delivery with maximum coverage

•Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured

•Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment and improved outcomes

•Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participate in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD) and quality assurance (QA) schemes

•Has audit embedded in the service

•Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway is smooth and efficient

There are 3 key elements of service delivery, namely:

•Call/recall for all people with diabetes invited for routine digital screening; this is currently undertaken on an annual basis, but screening intervals are likely to extend to 2 years for people at low risk during the contract term, in line with national guidance

•Digital surveillance where individuals need more frequent screening

•Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography is inappropriate (e.g. those having cataracts).

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) does not form part of this Contract at this time, though this position may change over the life of the contract in line with national guidance.

The Services will be commissioned using the national service specification for DESP Services, localised where appropriate.

The Contract term will be 6 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. The Contract is due to commence on 1st April 2024.

The 9 year estimated contract value, based on predicted activity levels, is £13,581,836.

The Contract will operate on a hybrid basis with a fixed "block" element based upon the actual activity for routine screening in 2021/2022 plus a variable element for digital surveillance and SLB and a further variable element to incentivise uptake to 85%. Variable elements will be paid according to activity undertaken.

The Commissioner's ambition through the financial model is to encourage uptake of DESP to achieve or exceed the national achievable target of 85% uptake in routine screening (DE1).

National changes to screening frequency for low risk individuals are expected to be implemented during the contract term which will have an impact on activity. The subsequent impact on contract values will be agreed between the Provider and the Commissioner via contract variation.

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £13,581,836

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

Duration in months

108

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 are 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

Diabetic Eye Screening Programme for Gloucestershire

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK13 - Gloucestershire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NHSE South West (The Commissioner) seeks to re-commission a Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) to deliver screening to the eligible population of Gloucestershire.

The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with, a GP in the lot area, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units and the armed forces.

The aim of the DESP is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.

This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:

•Identifies the eligible population and ensures effective delivery with maximum coverage

•Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured

•Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment and improved outcomes

•Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participate in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD) and quality assurance (QA) schemes

•Has audit embedded in the service

•Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway is smooth and efficient

There are 3 key elements of service delivery, namely:

•Call/recall for all people with diabetes invited for routine digital screening; this is currently undertaken on an annual basis, but screening intervals are likely to extend to 2 years for people at low risk during the contract term, in line with national guidance

•Digital surveillance where individuals need more frequent screening

•Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography is inappropriate (e.g. those having cataracts).

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) does not form part of this Contract at this time, though this position may change over the life of the contract in line with national guidance.

The Services will be commissioned using the national service specification for DESP Services, localised where appropriate.

The Contract term will be 6 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. The Contract is due to commence on 1st April 2024.

The 9 year estimated contract value, based on predicted activity levels, is £11,231,506.

The Contract will operate on a hybrid basis with a fixed "block" element based upon the actual activity for routine screening in 2021/2022 plus a variable element for digital surveillance and SLB and a further variable element to incentivise uptake to 85%. Variable elements will be paid according to activity undertaken.

The Commissioner's ambition through the financial model is to encourage uptake of DESP to achieve or exceed the national achievable target of 85% uptake in routine screening (DE1).

National changes to screening frequency for low risk individuals are expected to be implemented during the contract term which will have an impact on activity. The subsequent impact on contract values will be agreed between the Provider and the Commissioner via contract variation.

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £11,231,506

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

Duration in months

108

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 are 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

Diabetic Eye Screening Programme for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG)

Lot No

5

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

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NHSE South West (The Commissioner) seeks to re-commission a Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) to deliver screening to the eligible population of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with, a GP in the lot area, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units and the armed forces.

The aim of the DESP is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.

This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:

•Identifies the eligible population and ensures effective delivery with maximum coverage

•Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured

•Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment and improved outcomes

•Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participate in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD) and quality assurance (QA) schemes

•Has audit embedded in the service

•Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway is smooth and efficient

There are 3 key elements of service delivery, namely:

•Call/recall for all people with diabetes invited for routine digital screening; this is currently undertaken on an annual basis, but screening intervals are likely to extend to 2 years for people at low risk during the contract term, in line with national guidance

•Digital surveillance where individuals need more frequent screening

•Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography is inappropriate (e.g. those having cataracts).

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) does not form part of this Contract at this time, though this position may change over the life of the contract in line with national guidance.

The Services will be commissioned using the national service specification for DESP Services, localised where appropriate.

The Contract term will be 6 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. The Contract is due to commence on 1st April 2024.

The 9 year estimated contract value, based on predicted activity levels, is £15,468,533.

The Contract will operate on a hybrid basis with a fixed "block" element based upon the actual activity for routine screening in 2021/2022 plus a variable element for digital surveillance and SLB and a further variable element to incentivise uptake to 85%. Variable elements will be paid according to activity undertaken.

The Commissioner's ambition through the financial model is to encourage uptake of DESP to achieve or exceed the national achievable target of 85% uptake in routine screening (DE1).

National changes to screening frequency for low risk individuals are expected to be implemented during the contract term which will have an impact on activity. The subsequent impact on contract values will be agreed between the Provider and the Commissioner via contract variation.

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £15,468,533

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

Duration in months

108

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 are 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.1.1) Form of procedure

Open procedure

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2023/S 000-009618

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

Date

8 August 2023

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 the opportunity and access the tender documentation via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the 'Health Family' e-procurement system, Atamis. Click on 'View our Live Opportunities' from the home page, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

Once you have found the opportunity (via the search function, using the title or reference number), to gain full access to the tender documentation (including questionnaires), you will need to click on 'Register interest' - this will take you to the log-in page.

If you are not already registered on the system, you will need to do so before gaining full access to the documentation and be able to submit a bid.

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 are 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 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.

The Contracting Authority intends to voluntarily observe the award decision notices provisions and 10 day standstill period described in Regulation 87 of the Regulations.

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

High Court in London

London

Country

United Kingdom