Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Somerset ICB
Wynford House
Yeovil
BA228HR
Contact
Ian Weston
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK23 - Somerset
NHS Organisation Data Service
11X
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Buyer's address
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
Procurement for the provision of Covid Medicine Delivery Unit to Somerset Integrated Care Board
Reference number
W160439-C338990
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) intends to award a contract to Somerset Primary Healthcare Limited to deliver a Covid Medicine Delivery Service to assess all patients in the community aged 18 years and over who are identified as being at high risk of an adverse outcome from Covid and have Covid symptoms and/or a positive lateral flow test. It is expected that these patients will have been provided with a letter by NHSE or have been identified as high risk by their specialist/consultant.
The service will assess the patient and where appropriate prescribe Covid medications. Where the patient does not fit the criteria for oral medication but may be eligible for second line intravenous medication, the service will make a referral to Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (Somerset FT) via Somerset Primary Link (SPL) for consideration and treatment if appropriate.
The contract term will be for 2 years with an optional extension of any period up to 1 year.
The contract value is £110,000.00 per annum giving a contract value of £220,000.00 for the initial contract period and £330,000.00 if the full extension period is adopted.
The new service will commence on the 1st August 2024
This procurement was being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.
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: £330,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK23 - Somerset
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Somerset Integrated Care board (ICB) is seeking to secure a Prime Provider who has the capability and capacity to deliver Covid Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) Services to People who are registered with a GP practice in Somerset or normally resident in Somerset who:
a) have been identified by NHSE or their consultant/specialist as high risk of an adverse Covid outcome
b) have Covid symptom onset and/or a positive lateral flow test
This service is for non-hospitalised adults who meet the criteria for assessment.
To assess and prescribe oral antiviral medications for the treatment of Covid, safely and effectively for patients eligible and suitable for this treatment.
Desired Outcomes:
• The patient has access to Covid medication within 5 days of symptom onset/positive lateral flow test
• Patients assessed overnight are expected to be assessed via a remote service the next day.
If for reasons of service sickness, a patient can be delayed for 24 hours. Anything further needs to be escalated to the ICB for agreement
The service will assess all patients in the community aged 18 years and over who are identified as being at high risk of an adverse outcome from Covid and have Covid symptoms and/or a positive lateral flow test. It is expected that these patients will have been provided with a letter by NHSE or have been identified as high risk by their specialist/consultant.
The service will assess the patient and where appropriate prescribe Covid medications. Where the patient does not fit the criteria for oral medication but may be eligible for second line intravenous medication, the service will make a referral to Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (Somerset FT) via Somerset Primary Link (SPL) for consideration and treatment if appropriate.
Referrals into the service are to be triaged on the day they are received. For those referrals received within 1 hour of the service closing time, the number of days since symptom onset should be ascertained. If clinically appropriate and the 5-day threshold will not be breached, the assessment of these patients may be delayed to the next opening day.
Assessments will be conducted remotely by telephone/video call. In instances when this default approach is not appropriate, online communication or another suitable method of communication will be utilised. To ensure an inclusive service, the service will make reasonable adjustments which includes for example (but not limited to) textphone, sign language, interpreter.
Patients are to be provided with advice on steps to take should they become more unwell, and "worsening advice" should also be given to those not eligible for any Covid medication. All patients should be provided with Covid infection control advice.
This service will be provided remotely.
It will operate for a minimum of 6-days per week throughout the year including morning and afternoon provision referred to as "core hours" in this specification, except for weeks where there is a normal UK national bank holiday (Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day). During the weeks when these bank holiday dates fall, the service may operate for a minimum of 5-days per week but must not be closed for more than 3 consecutive days. Closure dates must interface with Community Pharmacy.
The contract term will be for 2 years with an optional extension of any period up to 1 year.
The contract value is £110,000.00 per annum giving a contract value of £220,000.00 for the initial contract period and £330,000.00 if the full extension period is adopted.
The new service will commence on the 1st August 2025
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: The contract award criteria are specified in the procurement documents / Weighting: 100%
Price - Weighting: 0
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The contract period of an optional extension of any period up to 1 year.
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 000-004992
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
16 May 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 6
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Somerset Primary Healthcare Limited (trading as Somerset GPSU)
Chard
TA20 1FA
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKK23 - Somerset
Companies House
08668830
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £330,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £330,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The award decision-makers were NHS Somerset ICB Primary Care Operational Group.
There were no conflicts or potential conflicts of interest of individuals making the decision declared.
The winning bidder was chosen in line with the key criteria published within the tender documentation.
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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight, 3RD June 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
Written representations should be sent to Ian.Weston3@nhs.net
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Somerset Integrated Care Board
Yeovil
Country
United Kingdom