Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Shared Business Services Limited
Three Cherry Tree Lane, Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 7AH
nsbs.categorymanagementsourcing@nhs.net
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD34 - Greater Manchester South West
Companies House
05280446
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://discovery.ariba.com/rfx/20838011
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://discovery.ariba.com/rfx/20838011
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Public Sector Framework Provider https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/nhs-sbs-about-us
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism: Assessment and Diagnosis, NHS Talking Therapies and Crisis Services
Reference number
SBS10239
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Shared Business Services act in an Agency capacity for and on behalf of its customers (Approved Organisations) - existing and new. These comprise of NHS and Social Care organisations (whether acting individually, or on behalf of, or together as members of any consortia) along with any other public or private sector bodies which NHS SBS authorises to use the resulting Framework.
NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) intends to put in place a Framework Agreement for the provision of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism: Assessment and Diagnosis, NHS Talking Therapies and Crisis Services to be used by NHS SBS Approved Organisations. Approved Organisations are NHS and Social Care organisations (whether acting individually, or on behalf of, or together as members of any consortia) or any combined authority, integrated care board, local authority, NHS England, NHS foundation trust, NHS trust or any other body listed as a "relevant authority" in the National Health Service Act 2006, which the Authority authorises to use the resulting Framework.
Our Approved Organisation list can be found on: https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-agreements-categories/
The Framework will be structured using the following Lots;
Lot 1 - Assessment and Diagnosis
Lot 2 - NHS Talking Therapies
Lot 3 - Crisis Services
We are committed to working with suppliers who are dedicated to Sustainability and Social Value and there will be a significant weighting on these elements in the tender.
The term of the framework agreement will be 48 months
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £70,000,000
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
Assessment and Diagnosis
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Assessment and Diagnosis lot will include a range of services and clinical assessments used in the diagnosis of common mental health conditions, severe mental illness, and neurological conditions. The lot will also include provision for ongoing assessments.
Services will be available for Children and Young People, Adults and Older People and will include, but are not limited to:
• Neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD
• Coexisting frailty
• Coexisting neurodevelopmental conditions
• Common mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression
• Children and Young People with multiple needs
• Co-occurring drug or alcohol-use disorders, and other addiction disorders, including gambling
• Eating disorders
• Health and Social care
• Learning disabilities
• Psychiatric severe mental health illnesses such as psychosis or bipolar disorder
Bidders must deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement.
There are additional Selection Qualification (SQ), Award Questionnaire (AQ) requirements, and Bidder Declarations applicable, and Bidders are asked to respond to these also.
Where the Bidder does not score a minimum of 55% in total (AQ and total Commercial score combined) the Authority shall exclude the submission from being appointed to the framework.
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
Framework due for renewal in April 2029
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Under the Provider Selection Regime, the Authority reserves the right to reopen the competition to new bidders at any time throughout the lifecycle of this Framework. Reopening will be advertised as required under PSR legislation and conducted via our sourcing portal using the same evaluation criteria for all bidder submissions.
two.2.14) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to 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.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
NHS Talking Therapies
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The NHS Talking Therapies lot is for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies, Counselling, and Psychotherapy. This lot must be delivered by a clinical workforce who are fully and appropriately trained and supervised.
NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression provide treatment for people with the following common mental health problems:
• Agoraphobia
• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
• Depression
• Generalised anxiety disorder
• Health anxiety (hypochondriasis)
• Mixed depression and anxiety (the term for sub-syndromal depression and anxiety, rather than both depression and anxiety)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety disorder
• Specific phobias (such as heights, flying, spiders etc.)
Bidders must deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement.
There are additional Selection Qualification (SQ), Award Questionnaire (AQ) requirements, and Bidder Declarations applicable, and Bidders are asked to respond to these also.
Where the Bidder does not score a minimum of 55% in total (AQ and Price combined) the Authority shall exclude the submission from being appointed to the framework.
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
Framework due for renewal in April 2029
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Under the Provider Selection Regime, the Authority reserves the right to reopen the competition to new bidders at any time throughout the lifecycle of this Framework. Reopening will be advertised as required under PSR legislation and conducted via our sourcing portal using the same evaluation criteria for all bidder submissions.
two.2.14) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to 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.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Crisis Services
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Crisis Services lot is focussed on relapse prevention, assisting Approved Organisations respond to patients including Children and Young People, Adults and Older People at times when their mental health and/or social situation has deteriorated to the point they are at considerable risk and require additional support to remain in their current accommodation and/or prevent further harm.
Services provided under this lot are intended as an alternative to A&E or inpatient psychiatric admission and include, but are not limited to:
• 24/7 telephone helplines
• Crisis Home Treatment Teams (CRHTT)
In addition, for Children and Young People:
• 24/7 assessments and brief response
• Extended hours intervention and community provision
• Extended hours intensive community care
Bidders must deliver all the mandatory requirements as detailed in the Specification section of the Framework Agreement.
There are additional Selection Qualification (SQ), Award Questionnaire (AQ) requirements, and Bidder Declarations applicable, and Bidders are asked to respond to these also.
Where the Bidder does not score a minimum of 55% in total (AQ and Price combined) the Authority shall exclude the submission from being appointed to the framework.
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
Framework due for renewal in April 2029
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Under the Provider Selection Regime, the Authority reserves the right to reopen the competition to new bidders at any time throughout the lifecycle of this Framework. Reopening will be advertised as required under PSR legislation and conducted via our sourcing portal using the same evaluation criteria for all bidder submissions.
two.2.14) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to 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.
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
Counsellors and Psychotherapists delivering services under this framework agreement must be suitably accredited.
(Lot 1) Bidders delivering assessment and diagnosis services must confirm that clinical professionals delivering the service hold the appropriate qualifications:
• Nurses must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• Doctors must be registered with the General Medical Council.
• All clinical professionals must hold specific Mental Health qualifications relevant to the services they are delivering.
(Lot 2 and 3) In accordance with the NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression Manual bidders must confirm that high-intensity therapists (HITs) working in NHS Talking Therapies services have either:
• completed the Manual-recognised NHS Talking Therapies qualification to deliver the therapy or therapies that they deliver in NHS Talking Therapies, and gain and maintain the recognised individual accreditation to deliver these within 1 year of qualifying, OR
• have the Manual-recognised individual accreditation to deliver the therapy or therapies that they deliver in NHS Talking Therapies.
(Lot 2 and 3) Bidders delivering psychological therapies must confirm that their counsellors and psychotherapists hold the appropriate BACP, BABCP or EMDR Europe Accreditation.
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria
NHS SBS will independently verify bidders financial standing using external credit reporting agency Dun & Bradstreet and evaluate bidders reports based on the criteria shown below:
Where a Bidder has a Failure Score of 51 or above, a Risk Indicator of 1 or 2, and a Financial Strength Indicator (based on Tangible Net Worth) of between 5A and C or NB) (all three aspects - Failure Score, Risk Indicator and Financial Strength Indicator), they will pass this element of the SQ, subject to any anomalies within the Bidder's overall D&B report identified by the Authority being satisfactorily addressed.
Where a Bidder has Failure Score of less than 51, a Risk Indicator greater than 2, or a Financial Strength Indicator (based on Tangible Net Worth) of between D and H or any of N, O, or NQ (any one aspect Failure Score, Risk Indicator and Financial Strength Indicator), following a request from the Authority the Bidder must provide an audited set of accounts for the last three years (where possible, e.g. established more than three years) for your organisation and a fully completed Financial Assessment Template as per the template attached to this question (section). A financial assessment will then be conducted by NHS SBS to satisfy the Bidders ability to meet the financial requirements of this framework.
Bidders who do not have a registered DUNS number must submit an audited set of accounts for the last three years (where possible, e.g. established more than three years) for your organisation and a fully completed Financial Assessment Template as per the template attached to this question (section).
Where a parent company guarantee, or similar, is being relied upon by the Bidder, NHS SBS will request an audited set of accounts for the last three years from the guarantor, and confirmation that it will enter into the guarantee in a form acceptable to the Authority.
The Authority will monitor the financial stability of all successful Bidders (Suppliers) - and reserves the right to suspend or terminate a Supplier from the Framework at any time and with immediate effect in the event of financial instability in the Authority's sole opinion.
Bidders who fail to meet the financial standing requirements of this framework will not be considered further and will be disqualified.
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria
Counsellors and Psychotherapists delivering services under this framework agreement must be suitably accredited.
(Lot 1) Bidders delivering assessment and diagnosis services must confirm that clinical professionals delivering the service hold the appropriate qualifications:
• Nurses must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• Doctors must be registered with the General Medical Council.
• All clinical professionals must hold specific Mental Health qualifications relevant to the services they are delivering.
(Lot 2 and 3) In accordance with the NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression Manual bidders must confirm that high-intensity therapists (HITs) working in NHS Talking Therapies services have either:
• completed the Manual-recognised NHS Talking Therapies qualification to deliver the therapy or therapies that they deliver in NHS Talking Therapies, and gain and maintain the recognised individual accreditation to deliver these within 1 year of qualifying, OR
• have the Manual-recognised individual accreditation to deliver the therapy or therapies that they deliver in NHS Talking Therapies.
(Lot 2 and 3) Bidders delivering psychological therapies must confirm that their counsellors and psychotherapists hold the appropriate BACP, BABCP or EMDR Europe Accreditation.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
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
18 October 2024
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
18 October 2024
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
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this framework agreement 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 value provided in 2.6 is only an estimate based upon market value. NHS SBS cannot guarantee to successful Suppliers any business through this Framework Agreement. Spend and volumes may vary throughout the life of the Framework Agreement from the anticipated levels given in this notice.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
NHS Shared Business Services Limited
Three Cherry Tree Lane Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 7AH
nsbs.categorymanagementsourcing@nhs.net
Country
United Kingdom