Contract

HCT - Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment

  • Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-019933

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04e548 (view related notices)

Published 9 May 2025, 9:30am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Unit 1A Howard Court, 14 Tewin Road

Welwyn Garden City

AL7 1BW

Contact

Bailie Curtis

Email

bailie.curtis@nhs.net

Telephone

+7 855963658

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKH - East of England

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.hct.nhs.uk/

Buyer's address

https://www.hct.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

HCT - Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85110000 - Hospital and related services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) currently has a backlog of children awaiting an autism diagnostic assessment.

To address this, HCT is collaborating with the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board to outsource assessments for some children and young people (CYP).

This initiative aims to reduce waiting times and support the implementation of a revised diagnostic pathway.
The Trust is inviting proposals from suitably qualified providers to conduct assessments for CYPs aged five and above.

The selected provider must deliver a high-quality, cost-effective service that is responsive to clients' needs and help clear the backlog while also offering ongoing assessment services as needed.
Key requirements include:
• A multidisciplinary team that includes Consultant Paediatricians/Paediatricians.
• Appropriate Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration.
• A blended approach to assessments, with face-to-face and virtual consultations (face-to-face only for children aged five and six).
• Robust contract management and effective collaboration with the Trust’s key contacts.

The contract is expected to commence in early September 2025 for an initial one-year term, with the possibility of two one-year extensions (1+1).

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: £1,260,000

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85100000 - Health services
  • 85100000 - Health services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKH - East of England

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) currently has a backlog of children awaiting an autism diagnostic assessment.

To address this, HCT is collaborating with the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board to outsource assessments for some children and young people (CYP).

This initiative aims to reduce waiting times and support the implementation of a revised diagnostic pathway.
The Trust is inviting proposals from suitably qualified providers to conduct assessments for CYPs aged five and above.

The selected provider must deliver a high-quality, cost-effective service that is responsive to clients' needs and help clear the backlog while also offering ongoing assessment services as needed.
Key requirements include:
• A multidisciplinary team that includes Consultant Paediatricians/Paediatricians.
• Appropriate Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration.
• A blended approach to assessments, with face-to-face and virtual consultations (face-to-face only for children aged five and six).
• Robust contract management and effective collaboration with the Trust’s key contacts.

The contract is expected to commence in early September 2025 for an initial one-year term, with the possibility of two one-year extensions (1+1).

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

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 New Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

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: 2025/S 000-006331


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

6 May 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 16

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

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

The Owl Centre Limited

16 Main Street, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire

SA65 9HJ

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKH - East of England
National registration number

07880303

Internet address

http://www.theowltherapycentre.co.uk

The contractor is an SME

Yes

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

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £1,260,000

Lowest offer: £1,260,000 / Highest offer: £1,260,000 taken into consideration


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

The High Court

The Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.judiciary.uk/courts-and-tribunals/high-court/