Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board
Endeavour House
Ipswich
IP1 2BX
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKH14 - Suffolk
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://suffolkandnortheastessex.icb.nhs.uk/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/snee-icb/aspx/Home
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/snee-icb/aspx/Home
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned 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
Non Emergency Patient Transport
Reference number
WSCCG - 00000067
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board are issuing this invitation to tender in connection with the competitive procurement of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services. The scope of the service will include assessment of eligibility, call handling, booking and the provision of safe non-emergency patient transport to eligible patients. The commissioners are looking to establish a contract for five (5) years with a potential extension period of up to five (5) years.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH14 - Suffolk
- UKH34 - Essex Haven Gateway
Main site or place of performance
Provision of services across the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board locality.
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The aim of this procurement is to establish non-emergency patient transport services across the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) locality.The Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) will be provided to all eligible patients within the locality. Currently over 14,000 journeys per month are undertaken. NEPTS are a key enabler underpinning access to elective care and supporting timely and efficient discharge processes for acute and community providers. As a partner within the system, the NEPTS provider will support improvements across the system, enabling patient choice and equitable access for elective care.National planning guidance breaks down the patient transport system into four core components. -triage and co-ordination-specialist services, which will require trained staff, often an adapted/specialist vehicle where the provider will be registered with the CQC.-non-specialist services, where a regular taxi or minibus is appropriate. -reimbursement for private or public transport, either as part of NEPTS or the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme (HTCS). Consideration within these elements needs to be given to system relationships, improving integrated patient pathways including discharges, the wider transport system, including urgent services and local authority provision.The NEPTS New National Framework also includes five components to be included in the contract:-Updated eligibility criteria -Support for wider transport planning and journeys for all patients-Increased Transparency-Path to net zero in patient transport sector-Procurement and contract managementSignificant innovation is required for this service over the term of the contract which is why the ICB has opted to undertake a process akin to the Competitive Dialogue procedure. Dialogue will cover the published National Guidelines for NEPTS which highlights changes in the way NEPTS works moving forward and the local ICB considerations particularly around system integration and 5 year ICB plan when published. The Contract will be for a term of 60 months (five years), with the possibility of extending the term for a period of 60 additional months (five years) beyond the initial contracted duration by agreement between the Authority and the Bidder. The term of the contract is subject of the dialogue.The anticipated aggregate contract value is £104,527,000. across the potential 10 years, but this figure is subject to negotiation and dialogue as part of this advertised process.
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
60
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
There is the potential for this contract to be commissioned with an extension period of up to five (5) years, however this will be subject to the outcome of the dialogue stage.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
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
Competitive dialogue
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
21 November 2022
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
six.3) Additional information
The Services to which this Procurement related fall within Schedule 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020). As such, the procurement of the Services is to be conducted as a bespoke process akin to the Competitive Dialogue procedure, involving a number of stages which are outlined within the suite of procurement documents. The Authority does not intend to hold itself bound by any of the Regulations, save those applicable to Schedule 3 Services.The Authority may wish to introduce additional services during the lifetime of the contract (Contract modifications). Such contract modifications will be contemplated where additional requirements are similar and or complementary to the services already included in the Specification, at any given time. Such expansion would be by the addition of services commissioned by the Authority as named in the Contract Notice. To this end, the Bidder should be aware that after the award of contract, there is a possibility that the successful Bidder may be offered a variation to the contract to include (but not be limited to) reduction of activity and removal of funding for Personal Health Budgets and/or an increase in additional low level/low risk journeys where activity may be transferred from the 999 contract to the patient transport service (for example 'GP Urgents' services) in accordance with Regulation 72 (1) (a) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020).
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board
Ipswich
Country
United Kingdom