Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Business Services Authority
Stella House, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 8NY
Contact
NHS Business Services Authority
nhsbsa.commercialservicesteam@nhs.net
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKC22 - Tyneside
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
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
22_11_04 NHS Pensions Medical Services
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 66520000 - Pension services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The NHSBSA is seeking to procure a contract for NHS Pensions Medical Services on behalf of NHS Pensions which will require a supplier to medically certify applications from pension members for ill health retirement with an independent medical advisor. The NHS Pension Scheme provides two levels of Ill Health Retirement benefits, which are dependent on the severity of the condition of a member.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £7,649,708
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85121200 - Medical specialist services
- 66520000 - Pension services
- 85100000 - Health services
- 85120000 - Medical practice and related services
- 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services
- 85121200 - Medical specialist services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The NHSBSA is seeking to procure a contract for NHS Pensions Medical Services on behalf of NHS Pensions which will require a supplier to medically certify applications from pension members for ill health retirement with an independent medical advisor.
The NHS Pension Scheme provides two levels of Ill Health Retirement benefits, which are dependent on the severity of the condition of a member.
The successful supplier of the medical services contract will be required to:
- Understand the NHS Pension Scheme regulations and the potential differences between each Section/Scheme on each application.
- Make and convey the decisions on initial applications for ill health retirement benefits and permanent injury benefits in line with the provisions of the NHS Pension Scheme Regulations and NHS Injury Benefit Regulations.
- Provide medical advice and recommendations in relation to claims for temporary injury allowance.
- Provide medical advice and recommendations for disputes under the Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) procedures and in response to investigations by the Pensions Ombudsman within the Statutory Target dates.
- Provide advice and recommendations in other cases where reasonably requested by the NHS Pensions of NHSBSA, e.g. incapacitated child.
- Provide advice and recommendations for Severe Ill Health retirement application in line with the HMRC Guidance.
- Ensure UK GDPR Regulations and Quality Control is in place in accordance with NHS Pension Scheme Regulations.
- Ensure, if required, that Further Medical Evidence is requested to support the decision outcome of a members ill health application.
- To provide a digital solution for customers to be able to track their application and comply with verification and security checks prior to disclosing sensitive information.
- In the first year of the contract, there is potential to be a requirement to re-assess c6,000McCloud cases following the McCloud judgement.
The initial contract period will be 4 years with the option to extend for a further 3 years. This does not include the implementation period which is anticipated to commence in February 2024.
Interested parties must register an interest and access the procurement documents via https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome (search opportunities using system reference C213520). Follow the instructions to register an interest and once registered, Suppliers will be able to view and access the full Tender documentation.
Please note that all dates and figures in this notice are approximate and subject to change.
Any resulting contract will be considered as a contract made in England according to English Law and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts;
Grouping of bidders may be required to form a separate limited liability company or other legal form and/or one that takes full responsibility and/or liability and/or confirm that each takes joint and several liability.
The Contracting Authority conducted pre-tender market engagement following the publication of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) : 2023/S 000-010807. The report outlining the findings of this exercise can be found at https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome (search opportunities using system reference C213520 - Supplier Documents/PTME Report.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £7,649,708
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
23 July 2024
End date
22 July 2031
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
This contract will be awarded for an initial 4 year term with an option to extend for a further 3 years. The initial start date of 23/07/2024 does not include the implementation period which is anticipated to commence in February 2024.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
17 November 2023
Local time
11:00am
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
Tender must be valid until: 22 July 2031
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
4 October 2023
Local time
4:00pm
Place
Tenders will be opened using the Authority's e-tendering system.
Information about authorised persons and opening procedure
Tenders will be opened using the Authority's e-tendering system.
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Once the contract has expired, it is estimated that further notices will be published in 2028 depending on whether options to extend are exercised.
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
The NHSBSA is seeking to procure a contract for NHS Pensions Medical Services on behalf of NHS Pensions which will require a supplier to medically certify applications from pension members for ill health retirement with an independent medical advisor.
The NHS Pension Scheme provides two levels of Ill Health Retirement benefits, which are dependent on the severity of the condition of a member.
The successful supplier of the medical services contract will be required to:
- Understand the NHS Pension Scheme regulations and the potential differences between each Section/Scheme on each application.
- Make and convey the decisions on initial applications for ill health retirement benefits and permanent injury benefits in line with the provisions of the NHS Pension Scheme Regulations and NHS Injury Benefit Regulations.
- Provide medical advice and recommendations in relation to claims for temporary injury allowance.
- Provide medical advice and recommendations for disputes under the Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) procedures and in response to investigations by the Pensions Ombudsman within the Statutory Target dates.
- Provide advice and recommendations in other cases where reasonably requested by the NHS Pensions of NHSBSA, e.g. incapacitated child.
- Provide advice and recommendations for Severe Ill Health retirement application in line with the HMRC Guidance.
- Ensure UK GDPR Regulations and Quality Control is in place in accordance with NHS Pension Scheme Regulations.
- Ensure, if required, that Further Medical Evidence is requested to support the decision outcome of a members ill health application.
- To provide a digital solution for customers to be able to track their application and comply with verification and security checks prior to disclosing sensitive information.
- In the first year of the contract, there is potential to be a requirement to re-assess c6,000McCloud cases following the McCloud judgement.
The initial contract period will be 4 years with the option to extend for a further 3 years. This does not include the implementation period which is anticipated to commence in February 2024.
Interested parties must register an interest and access the procurement documents via https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome (search opportunities using system reference C213520). Follow the instructions to register an interest and once registered, Suppliers will be able to view and access the full Tender documentation.
Please note that all dates and figures in this notice are approximate and subject to change.
Any resulting contract will be considered as a contract made in England according to English Law and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts;
Grouping of bidders may be required to form a separate limited liability company or other legal form and/or one that takes full responsibility and/or liability and/or confirm that each takes joint and several liability.
The Contracting Authority conducted pre-tender market engagement following the publication of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) : 2023/S 000-010807. The report outlining the findings of this exercise can be found at https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome (search opportunities using system reference C213520 - Supplier Documents/PTME Report.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
NHS Business Services Authority
Stella House, Goldcrest Way
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE15 8NY
nhsbsa.commercialservicesteam@nhs.net
Country
United Kingdom