Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
Phoenix House, Christopher Martin Rd,
Basildon
SS14 3HG
Contact
NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH3 - Essex
National registration number
99E
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.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
Specialist Bereavement Services
Reference number
ACE-0820-2025-MSE
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This notice is intended to communicate that NHS Mid and South Essex ICB (herein referred to as the 'Authority') intends to award a contract to an existing provider, under the Provider Selection Regime DAP C process, to provide for continuity of service and safety of service users. The Specialist Bereavement service offer is bespoke and the provision supports service users who are impacted by suicide. The service aim is to reduce the profound effect a death by suicide can have on families, professionals and communities. There is clear evidence that one suicide can trigger a cluster of other suicides where up to 135 individuals can be impacted by a single death by suicide. This service provides improved and valuable support for those bereaved or affected by suicide and reduces the risk of further suicides. The service integrates well with other services across the wellbeing pathway within MSE, to support services users.
The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard.
The contract is for a 12 month term from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.
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: £131,196.60
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
Main site or place of performance
Mid and South Essex Health Economy
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Specialist Bereavement service offer is bespoke and the provision supports service users who are impacted by suicide. The service aim is to reduce the profound effect a death by suicide can have on families, professionals and communities. There is clear evidence that one suicide can trigger a cluster of other suicides where up to 135 individuals can be impacted by a single death by suicide. This service provides improved and valuable support for those bereaved or affected by suicide and reduces the risk of further suicides. The service integrates well with other services across the wellbeing pathway within MSE, to support services users.
The Contracting Authority is intending to award the contract to an existing provider following a direct award process C. The existing provider is satisfying the requirements of the original contract. The provider has been assessed against the criteria specified for this DAP C process, and the supplier meets the requirements specified, and it is expected that they will satisfy the requirements of the new contract.
The contract is for a 12 month term from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026. The total contract value over the term is £131,196.60.
The incumbent provider is currently meeting contractual requirements in line with the service specification. The 5 criteria were weighted Quality & Innovation 25%; Value 20%; Integration, Collaboration & Service Sustainability 20%, Access Health Inequalities and Choice 15%; Social Value 20%. Key criteria was specified and assessed against each criteria based on current service delivery model and performance.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: key criteria 1. Quality and innovation / Weighting: 25
Quality criterion - Name: key criteria 2. Value / Weighting: 20
Quality criterion - Name: key criteria 3. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability / Weighting: 20
Quality criterion - Name: key criteria 4. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice / Weighting: 15
Quality criterion - Name: key criteria 5. Social value / Weighting: 20
Cost criterion - Name: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard / Weighting: 100
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
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:
‘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 the relevant authority by 03rd June 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR'.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
Specialist Bereavement Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
1 April 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
LISTENING EAR
70 Church Road, Halewood,
Merseyside
L26 6LB
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD7 - Merseyside
Companies House
05999650
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £131,196.60
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) 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 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 on the 03rd 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 cariad.burgess@attain.co.uk
The decision makers for award in this instance are the Mid and South Essex ICB Executive Board.
There were no conflicts of interest declared by the decision makers.
The 5 criteria were weighted Quality & Innovation 25%; Value 20%; Integration, Collaboration & Service Sustainability 20%, Access Health Inequalities and Choice 15%; Social Value 20%. Key criteria was specified and assessed against each criteria based on current service delivery model and performance.
The incumbent provider is currently meeting contractual requirements in line with the service specification.
The proposed contracting arrangements are not changing considerably. The provider is an existing provider, who is currently satisfying the requirements of the existing contract. The provider has been assessed against the criteria specified for this DAP C process, and the supplier meets the requirements specified, and it is expected that they will satisfy the requirements of the new contract.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
Phoenix House, Christopher Martin Rd,
Basildon
SS14 3HG
Country
United Kingdom