Opportunity

Framework Agreement for the provision of International Healthcare Professionals Recruitment & Associated Services.

  • Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of NHS Commercial Solutions

F02: Contract notice

Notice reference: 2022/S 000-022371

Published 15 August 2022, 9:19am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of NHS Commercial Solutions

THIRD FLOOR,LEATHERHEAD HOUSE, STATION ROAD

LEATHERHEAD

KT227FG

Contact

Phillip Spicer

Email

agency.nhscs@nhs.net

Telephone

+44 1306646837

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UK - United Kingdom

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of NHS Commercial Solutions

NHS Commercial Solutions

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.commercialsolutions-sec.nhs.uk/

Buyer's address

https://commercialsolutions.bravosolution.co.uk/

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://commercialsolutions.bravosolution.co.uk/

Additional information can be obtained from another address:

NHS Commercial Solutions

The Atrium, Curtis Road

Dorking

RH4 1XA

Email

agency.nhscs@nhs.net

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.commercialsolutions-sec.nhs.uk/

Buyer's address

https://commercialsolutions.bravosolution.co.uk/

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://commercialsolutions.bravosolution.co.uk/

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

Framework Agreement for the provision of International Healthcare Professionals Recruitment & Associated Services.

Reference number

RM6333

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 79600000 - Recruitment services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

NHS Commercial Solutions, in collaboration with its NHS Workforce Alliance partners, is seeking to procure, through a framework agreement, a panel of suitably experienced and qualified suppliers of International Healthcare Professional Recruitment and Associated services to provide expert guidance to NHS and other public sector organisations.

The NHS Long Term Plan has set out its ambitions for the NHS over the next 10 years, identifying ethical and sustainable international recruitment as a workforce priority. It is intended that the resulting framework of this procurement will meet the Health and Social Care needs in line with the NHS Long Term and People Plan.

This framework aims to provide a holistic approach to the International Recruitment journey, and the range of services and support requirements needed at the various stages of the process, to enable Participating Authorities to obtain recruitment and retention support of its overseas candidates.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £150,000,000

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

International Nursing and Midwifery

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
  • 79624000 - Supply services of nursing personnel
  • 79625000 - Supply services of medical personnel

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Recruitment services of permanent International Nursing and Midwifery staff which may include, but is not

necessarily limited to:

• Selecting, appointing, and managing Land-Based Agents:

• Trade association's codes of professional behaviour, conduct and practice

• Sourcing countries, promotion and Candidate attraction

• Candidate compliance and vetting

• Shortlisting candidates

• Pre-deployment information, training and relocation support

• Master Vendor Arrangement

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

48

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with an option to extend up to a maximum of a further 2 years. NHS Commercial Solutions reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.14) Additional information

Full details in Schedule A Tender Specification of Invitation to Tender documentation and Schedule.

Bidding organisations must comply with, and maintain adherence to, the guiding principles of the NHS Employers UK Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of healthcare professionals (see www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/recruit/employer-led-recruitment/international-recruitment/uk-code-of-practice-for-international-recruitment

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

International Doctors and Dentists

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
  • 79625000 - Supply services of medical personnel

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Recruitment services of permanent International Doctors and Dentists staff which may include, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Selecting, appointing, and managing Land-Based Agents:

• Trade association's codes of professional behaviour, conduct and practice

• Sourcing countries, promotion and Candidate attraction

• Candidate compliance and vetting

• Shortlisting candidates

• Pre-deployment information, training and relocation support

• Master Vendor Arrangement

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

48

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with an option to extend up to a maximum of a further 2 years. NHS Commercial Solutions reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations.

The framework is divided into 5 lots, which will be awarded separately.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.14) Additional information

Full details in Schedule A Tender Specification of Invitation to Tender documentation and Schedule B Framework Agreement. Bidding organisations must comply with, and maintain adherence to, the guiding principles of the NHS Employers UK Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of healthcare professionals (see www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/recruit/employer-led-recruitment/international-recruitment/uk-code-of-practice-for-international-recruitment

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

International AHPs including Social Workers

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
  • 79625000 - Supply services of medical personnel

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Recruitment services of permanent AHPs including Social Workers staff which may include, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Selecting, appointing, and managing Land-Based Agents:

• Trade association's codes of professional behaviour, conduct and practice

• Sourcing countries, promotion and Candidate attraction

• Candidate compliance and vetting

• Shortlisting candidates

• Pre-deployment information, training and relocation support

• Master Vendor Arrangement

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

48

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with an option to extend up to a maximum of a further 2 years. NHS Commercial Solutions reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations.

The framework is divided into 5 lots, which will be awarded separately.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.14) Additional information

Full details in Schedule A Tender Specification of Invitation to Tender documentation and Schedule B Framework Agreement.

Bidding organisations must comply with, and maintain adherence to, the guiding principles of the NHS Employers UK Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of healthcare professionals (see www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/recruit/employer-led-recruitment/international-recruitment/uk-code-of-practice-for-international-recruitment

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

International OSCE Training Support Services

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79632000 - Personnel-training services
  • 80000000 - Education and training services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Participating Authorities may require additional training support services as part of onboarding international candidates. This is part of a holistic approach that can be taken to attract and retain suitable candidates. This may include, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Provision of training courses

• Candidate examination preparation and support services

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

48

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with an option to extend up to a maximum of a further 2 years. NHS Commercial Solutions reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations.

The framework is divided into 5 lots, which will be awarded separately.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.14) Additional information

Full details in Schedule A Tender Specification of Invitation to Tender documentation and Schedule B Framework Agreement.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

International Candidate Pastoral Support

Lot No

5

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79630000 - Personnel services except placement and supply services
  • 80500000 - Training services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Pastoral Support Services which includes, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Worker Welcome pack.

• Worker local introduction

• Worker Point of Contact.

• Worker Handbook

• Worker introduction to Participating Authority Representatives.

• Fostering relationships services.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

48

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with an option to extend up to a maximum of a further 2 years. NHS Commercial Solutions reserve the right to extend lots by varying durations.

The framework is divided into 5 lots, which will be awarded separately.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.14) Additional information

Full details in Schedule A Tender Specification of Invitation to Tender documentation and Schedule B Framework Agreement.


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: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

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

Date

30 September 2022

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

30 September 2022

Local time

1:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.2) Information about electronic workflows

Electronic ordering will be used

Electronic invoicing will be accepted

Electronic payment will be used

six.3) Additional information

The estimated total contracts value for all Lots awarded under the framework agreement is £150m including pass-through costs. Interested parties should note the agreement is not a guarantee of work and the Authority makes no commitment by any party to the use of the agreement nor the estimated value.

Registering for access: This procurement will be managed electronically via the eTendering platform. This will be the route for sharing all information and communicating with bidders. If you have registered on the platform for another procurement with the Authority you can use the same account for this new procurement. If not, you will need to register your organisation on the portal.

Use the following link for guidance on how to register: https://www.screencast.com/t/o6NHgMNjnf?_ncp=1660061014664.29406-1

If Bidders have problems with the Portal, please contact Bravo Solutions Helpdesk (Telephone 0800 069 8630, Email help@bravosolutions.co.uk)

NHSCS are the authority for the Procurement, leading on behalf of the following organisations who together are known as NHS Workforce Alliance:

• NHS Commercial Solutions (NHSCS)

• East of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub (EOECPH)

• NHS London Procurement Partnership (LPP)

• NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOECPC)

• Crown Commercial Service (CCS)

Participating Authorities eligible to use this Agreement are detailed in Stage 2 Annex 6 to the ITT. Subject to approval from the authority, the public sector bodies eligible to use the agreement include, in particular, the following in the United Kingdom and their respective statutory successors and organisations created as a result of re-organisations or organisational changes and any private sector entities having similar procurement needs:

Workforce Alliance member bodies and any additional new members including wholly owned companies and subsidiaries. The framework is for the benefit of existing and emerging organisations during the life of the agreement, which includes but is not limited to providers, commissioners, delegated commissioners and support organisations. Acute; Foundation; Ambulance; Community; Care; Primary Care; Clinical Commissioning Groups, Mental Health Trusts, Integrated Care Systems (ICS's) and includes any Charitable Trusts to the foregoing, and other Contracting Bodies such as Strategic and Special Health Authorities, Fire and Rescue, Police, Police Commissioners, Charities, Government, Local Government, Local Authorities including Commissioning and Social, Prisons, Education/Higher Education, Social Care and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, including any successor organisations or changes to the provision of the services or the responsibility/ownership of the aforementioned organisations, such as responsibility resting with local authorities changing to local government/other government or other publicly funded bodies. NHS/Public Sector bodies located in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, including any of the Crown Dependencies and NHS Collaborative Procurement Organisations:

The NHS in England (National Health Service for the United Kingdom) including but not limited to:

Foundation Trusts, Acute (Hospital) Trusts, Ambulance Trusts, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts, Community Trusts listed at:https://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/pages/nhstrustlisting.aspx

Clinical Commissioning Groups: https://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/CCGListing.aspx

Area Teams: https://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/AreaTeamListing.aspx

Special Health Authorities: http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/SpecialHealthAuthorityListing.aspx

NHS England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/

Department of Health: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health

Arm's Length Bodies: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-contact-department-of-health-arms-length-bodies/department-of-healths-agencies-and-partner-organisations

Integrated Care Systems (ICS's) NHS England » Integrated care in your area

NHS England: and other organisations involved in commissioning primary care services via Clinical Commissioning Groups supported by Commissioning Support Units as well as any successor bodies of any of the above entities which are responsible for commissioning most aspects of NHS care (or equivalent body established pursuant to legislation enacted as a result of, or in connection with, the White Paper, Equity and Excellence:

Liberating the NHS published July 2010.

The Clinical Commissioning Board, Area Teams and other organisations involved in commissioning and/or overseeing General Practitioner services, GP consortia, GP Practices and any other provider of primary medical services:

1. who are a party to any of the following contracts:

a. General Medical Services (GMS)

b. Personal Medical Services (PMS)

c. Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) and/or

2. Commissioned by NHS England or other organisations involved in commissioning or overseeing General Practitioner services, as described above.

The NHS in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland including but not limited to Primary care services - GPs, pharmacies, dentists and optometrists, Hospital services, and community services, including those provided through community health centres and mental health services at:

NHS Wales (National Health Service for Wales): including but not limited to Welsh Health Boards, NHS Trusts and Public Health Wales: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/nhswalesaboutus/structure

NHS Scotland (National Health Service for Scotland) including but not limited to Regional NHS Boards, Special NHS Boards and public health body at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights/european-cross-border-healthcare/national-contact-point-health-boards

Health and Social Care Services in Northern Ireland: (National Health Service for Northern Ireland) including but not limited to Health Trusts, Social Care Board and other HSC Agencies: http://online.hscni.net/

Social Enterprise UK: https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk

Local Authority Councils in England, Scotland and Wales: county, unitary, district, borough, and metropolitan councils (parish/community councils)

• Local Councils in England, Scotland and Wales: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

• Local Authority Councils in Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/local-councils-in-northern-ireland

Isle of Man (IoM) Government and associated IoM based public bodies, including all IoM Government Departments and Cabinet Office, including but not limited to: Department of Health & Social Care: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/health-and-social-care/

The States of Jersey Government and administration including all Government Departments including but not limited to: Health & Social Services: https://www.gov.je/Government/Departments/Pages/default.aspx

The States of Guernsey (Parliament and government) including but not limited to the Committee for Health & Social Care: https://www.gov.gg/article/152954/Health-and-Social-Services-Department

Educational Establishments in England including schools and colleges: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/

Schools in Wales: https://gov.wales/education-skills

Further Education and 6th Form Colleges in the UK: https://www.aoc.co.uk/about/list-of-colleges-in-the-uk

Higher Education Recognised or listed bodies in the UK offering degree-level courses: https://www.gov.uk/check-a-university-is-officially-recognised

Schools in Scotland including primary, secondary and special schools: https://education.gov.scot/parentzone/

Educational Establishments in Scotland: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/ScotXed/SchoolEducation/SchoolEstablishments

Schools and Educational Establishments in Northern Ireland: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/topics/schools-and-infrastructure/types-schools

Higher Education Universities and Colleges in Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/universities-and-colleges-northern-ireland

UK Police Forces in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales including National Special Police Forces. https://www.police.uk/pu/find-a-police-force/

England Fire and Rescue Services https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/fire-and-rescue-services

Scottish Fire & Rescue Services https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/

Welsh Fire & Rescue Services https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/ and https://www.southwales-fire.gov.uk/

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service https://www.nifrs.org/areas-districts/

UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency/about/access-and-opening

Registered charities in England and Wales: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/

Registered charities in Scotland: https://www.oscr.org.uk/charities

Registered charities in Northern Ireland: http://www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/charity-search/

Ministry of Defence (MOD): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence

Registered social landlords, government funded, not-for-profit organisations that provide affordable housing, including housing associations, trusts and cooperatives.

• England: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/current-registered-providers-of-social-housing

• Scotland: https://www.sfha.co.uk/our-members

• Wales: https://chcymru.org.uk/membership/housing-associations

• Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/housing-associations

Organisations referenced above can be found detailed in either the NHS Act 2006, and/or the Public Contract Regulations 2015, and/or the Government Departments, Agencies and Public Bodies: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations

• Ministerial Departments (25 including Agencies and Public Bodies)

• Non-Ministerial Departments (21 including Agencies and Public Bodies)

• Agencies and Other Public Bodies (376)

• High Profile Groups (78)

• Public Corporations (10)

• Devolved Administrations (3)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, on behalf of NHS Commercial Solutions

Mole Business Park

Leatherhead

Email

NHSCS.agency@NHS.net

Country

United Kingdom