Award

NHS England South East - Sexual Assault Referral Centre Services

  • NHS England

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-024030

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03f04b

Published 16 August 2023, 12:41pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

NHS England

Premier House, 60 Caversham Road

Reading

RG1 7EB

Contact

Alexandra Searle

Email

scwcsu.procurement@nhs.net

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKJ - South East (England)

Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.england.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

NHS England South East - Sexual Assault Referral Centre Services

Reference number

C125668 - Extension

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

This notice is placed to inform the marketplace that contract extensions have been enacted by NHS England South East ("the Commissioner"), for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) contracts in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley and Hampshire. Contract extensions are effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

The Forensic Science Regulator has established a new Code of Practice which mandates that all SARC sites must achieve UKAS accreditation (ISO 15189). In order to achieve accreditation, SARC sites must be suitable and comply with the accreditation standards. In light of this, NHS England South East have sourced and secured new sites across the region and plans to commence work to develop these sites into SARCs over the coming months.

As this work would take place during the recommissioning process for SARC services, if they remained in line with current contract expiry dates, the Commissioner has taken the decision to extend the contracts in order to enable a fully-informed and robust recommissioning process to be completed. This process will take place during the remainder of the extended contract, and will be communicated separately.

The contract modifications (in the form of contract extensions) are enacted under regulation 72(1)(b) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Extending contracts will not alter the overall nature of the contract; service provision will remain in line with current delivery models and requirements, and in line with existing annual financial envelopes.

The SARC contracts to which the extensions have been applied to are:

• Kent (Provider: Mountain Healthcare)

• Surrey (Provider: Mountain Healthcare)

• Sussex (Provider: Mountain Healthcare)

• Hampshire (Provider: Solent NHS Trust)

• Thames Valley (Provider: G4S)

The total contract value (inclusive of all the above contracts) is approximately £5,041,867 for the initial 12-month extension, (and approximately a total of £10,083,734 for a 12 + 12 month contract).

South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) is acting on behalf of the Commissioner to inform the market of their commissioning plans.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £10,083,734

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Sexual Assault Referral Centre Services in Kent

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ4 - Kent
Main site or place of performance

Kent

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

This notice is placed to inform the marketplace that contract extensions have been enacted by NHS England South East ("the Commissioner"), for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) contracts in Kent. The contract extension is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

The Forensic Science Regulator has established a new Code of Practice which mandates that all SARCs must achieve UKAS accreditation (ISO 15189). In order to achieve accreditation, SARC sites must be suitable and comply with the accreditation standards. In light of this, NHS England South East have sourced and secured new sites across the region and plans to commence work to develop these sites into SARCs over the coming months.

As this work would take place during the recommissioning process for SARC services, if they remained in line with current contract expiry dates, the Commissioner has taken the decision to extend the contracts in order to enable a fully-informed and robust recommissioning process to be completed. This process will take place during the remainder of the extended contract, and will be communicated separately.

The contract modifications (in the form of contract extensions) are enacted under regulation 72(1)(b) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Extending contracts will not alter the overall nature of the contract; service provision will remain in line with current delivery models and requirements, and in line with existing annual financial envelopes.

The SARC contract to which the extension has been applied to in Kent is for Mountain Healthcare.

South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) is acting on behalf of the Commissioner to inform the market of their commissioning intentions.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract extension is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

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

Sexual Assault Referral Centre Services in Surrey

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Main site or place of performance

Surrey

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

This notice is placed to inform the marketplace that contract extensions have been enacted by NHS England South East ("the Commissioner"), for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) contracts in Surrey. The contract extension is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

The Forensic Science Regulator has established a new Code of Practice which mandates that all SARC site must achieve UKAS accreditation (ISO 15189). In order to achieve accreditation, SARC sites must be suitable and comply with the accreditation standards. In light of this, NHS England South East have sourced and secured new sites across the region and plans to commence work to develop these sites into SARCs over the coming months.

As this work would take place during the recommissioning process for SARC services, if they remained in line with current contract expiry dates, the Commissioner has taken the decision to extend the contracts in order to enable a fully-informed and robust recommissioning process to be completed. This process will take place during the remainder of the extended contract, and will be communicated separately.

The contract modifications (in the form of contract extensions) are enacted under regulation 72(1)(b) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Extending contracts will not alter the overall nature of the contract; service provision will remain in line with current delivery models and requirements, and in line with existing annual financial envelopes.

The SARC contract to which the extension has been applied to in Surrey is for Mountain Healthcare.

South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) is acting on behalf of the Commissioner to inform the market of their commissioning intentions.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract extension is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

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

Sexual Assault Referral Centre Services in Sussex

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Main site or place of performance

Sussex

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

This notice is placed to inform the marketplace that contract extensions have been enacted by NHS England South East ("the Commissioner"), for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) contracts in Sussex. The contract extension is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

The Forensic Science Regulator has established a new Code of Practice which mandates that all SARC sites must achieve UKAS accreditation (ISO 15189). In order to achieve accreditation, SARC sites must be suitable and comply with the accreditation standards. In light of this, NHS England South East have sourced and secured new sites across the region and plans to commence work to develop these sites into SARCs over the coming months.

As this work would take place during the recommissioning process for SARC services, if they remained in line with current contract expiry dates, the Commissioner has taken the decision to extend the contracts in order to enable a fully-informed and robust recommissioning process to be completed. This process will take place during the remainder of the extended contract, and will be communicated separately.

The contract modifications (in the form of contract extensions) are enacted under regulation 72(1)(b) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Extending contracts will not alter the overall nature of the contract; service provision will remain in line with current delivery models and requirements, and in line with existing annual financial envelopes.

The SARC contract to which the extension has been applied to in Sussex is for Mountain Healthcare.

South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) is acting on behalf of the Commissioner to inform the market of their commissioning intentions.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract extension is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

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

Sexual Assault Referral Centre Services in Hampshire

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Main site or place of performance

Hampshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

This notice is placed to inform the marketplace that contract extensions have been enacted by NHS England South East ("the Commissioner"), for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) contracts in Hampshire. The contract extension is is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

The Forensic Science Regulator has established a new Code of Practice which mandates that all SARC sites must achieve UKAS accreditation (ISO 15189). In order to achieve accreditation, SARC sites must be suitable and comply with the accreditation standards. In light of this, NHS England South East have sourced and secured new sites across the region and plans to commence work to develop these sites into SARCs over the coming months.

As this work would take place during the recommissioning process for SARC services, if they remained in line with current contract expiry dates, the Commissioner has taken the decision to extend the contracts in order to enable a fully-informed and robust recommissioning process to be completed. This process will take place during the remainder of the extended contract, and will be communicated separately.

The contract modifications (in the form of contract extensions) are enacted under regulation 72(1)(b) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Extending contracts will not alter the overall nature of the contract; service provision will remain in line with current delivery models and requirements, and in line with existing annual financial envelopes.

The SARC contract to which the extension has been applied to in Hampshire is for Solent NHS Trust.

South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) is acting on behalf of the Commissioner to inform the market of their commissioning intentions.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract extension is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

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

Sexual Assault Referral Centre Services in Thames Valley

Lot No

5

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ - South East (England)
Main site or place of performance

Thames Valley

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

This notice is placed to inform the marketplace that contract extensions have been enacted by NHS England South East ("the Commissioner"), for the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) contracts in Thames Valley. The contract extension is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

The Forensic Science Regulator has established a new Code of Practice which mandates that all SARC sites must achieve UKAS accreditation (ISO 15189). In order to achieve accreditation, SARC sites must be suitable and comply with the accreditation standards. In light of this, NHS England South East have sourced and secured new sites across the region and plans to commence work to develop these sites into SARCs over the coming months.

As this work would take place during the recommissioning process for SARC services, if they remained in line with current contract expiry dates, the Commissioner has taken the decision to extend the contracts in order to enable a fully-informed and robust recommissioning process to be completed. This process will take place during the remainder of the extended contract, and will be communicated separately.

The contract modifications (in the form of contract extensions) are enacted under regulation 72(1)(b) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Extending contracts will not alter the overall nature of the contract; service provision will remain in line with current delivery models and requirements, and in line with existing annual financial envelopes.

The SARC contract to which the extension has been applied to in Thames Valley is for G4S.

South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) is acting on behalf of the Commissioner to inform the market of their commissioning intentions.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The contract extension is effective from 1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2026.

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) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below

  • The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations

Explanation:

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).

Regulation 72(1)b of the Public Contracts Regulations sets out the following:

Contracts (and framework agreements) may be modified without a new procurement procedure:

(b)for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement, where a change of contractor-

(i) cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, services or installations procured under the initial procurement, and

(ii) would cause significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of costs for the contracting authority, and

provided that any increase in price does not exceed 50% of the value of the original contract.

Extending contracts will not alter the overall nature of the contract; service provision will remain in line with current delivery models and requirements, and in line with existing annual financial envelopes.

SARCs must meet UKAS accreditation standards by October 2025. In light of this, NHS England South East have sourced and secured new sites with plans to commence work to develop these sites into SARCs over the coming months. SARC services will be recommissioned and procured with the aim to commence new service provision from the new SARC sites.

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

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section five. Award of contract/concession

Contract No

1

Lot No

1, 2, 3, 4, & 5

Title

Sexual Assault Referral Centre Services in the South East

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

15 August 2023

five.2.2) Information about tenders

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Mountain Healthcare

BRAINTREE

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKH - East of England
Companies House

09450357

The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

Solent NHS Trust

Southampton

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire

G4S

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ - South East (England)
Companies House

03333860

The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

No

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

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £5,041,867


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) 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).

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

High Court London

London

Country

United Kingdom