Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB
Aspen House, Stephenson Road,Severalls Business Park
COLCHESTER
CO49QR
Contact
Jane Garnett
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH34 - Essex Haven Gateway
NHS Organisation Data Service
QJG
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://suffolkandnortheastessex.icb.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
Specialized Citizens Advice Service to those with Severe Mental Health illness
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 is a voluntary ex ante transparency notice and is intended to provide notice of NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board's ("the ICB") intention to award a 28 month contract term, for the provision of a specialized Citizens Advice Service to those with Severe Mental Health illness, that require additional support to access services regarding finance issues across West Suffolk Alliance.
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: £238,334
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH14 - Suffolk
Main site or place of performance
West Suffolk Alliance
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This is a voluntary ex ante transparency notice and is intended to provide notice of the ICB's intention to award a 28-month contract (from 1st December 2024 - 31st March 2027).
The contract value of the 28 month period is £238,334.
It is the ICB's intention to award this contract to the existing supplier.
The Supported Advice Service was created in 2020 to help people with poor mental health and severe mental illnesses overcome practical problems that have become both sources of stress and obstacles to recovery. People referred into the service have an enhanced level of support over core services. The caseworkers receive specialist training in mental health awareness and communication skills, so they are better able to work with this cohort of people. They coordinate the advice process; provide support and encouragement; liaise with external organisations; and plan onward referrals to appropriate partners. Citizens Advice objectives are to reduce the duration of the advice process and to minimise disengagement. People will then have the best chance of overcoming the non-clinical issues that have become impediments to improving their health. This will result in a reduction in repeat GP visits, hospitalisation and reliance on health and care services. Citizens Advice hold the Advice Quality Standard, are accredited to the Money Advice and Pension Service Framework and registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The ICB deem that there is a clear benefit to be gained from maintaining continuity with the incumbent service provider.
The ICB will award the contract utilising the NHS Standard Contract for the provision of healthcare services.
The Authority will observe a 10-day standstill from the date of publication of this VEAT, during which the Authority will not enter into any arrangement.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
A guiding principle of the NHS is that good healthcare is available to all, but whilst progress to improve the health outcomes of the population as a whole has been made, health inequalities remain between different population groups. Commissioners recognise that people from disadvantaged groups can experience barriers to access mainstream services, and despite increasing financial pressures, we recognise there remains a need to ensure people with severe mental illness receive support and can access health and care services in Suffolk and North East Essex.
The service will help people with poor mental health and severe mental illnesses overcome practical problems that have become both sources of stress and obstacles to recovery. People referred into the service have an enhanced level of support over core services. The caseworkers receive specialist training in mental health awareness and communication skills, so they are better able to work with this cohort of people. They coordinate the advice process; provide support and encouragement; liaise with external organisations; and plan onward referrals to appropriate partners. Citizens Advice objectives are to reduce the duration of the advice process and to minimise disengagement. People will then have the best chance of overcoming the non-clinical issues that have become impediments to improving their health. This will result in a reduction in repeat GP visits, hospitalisation and reliance on health and care services.
The Service to which this procurement relates fall within Schedule 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 as amended by as amended by The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, (the "Regulations"). As such, the Contracting Authority does not intend to hold itself bound by any of the Regulations, save those applicable to Schedule 3 Services.
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/concession
Title
Specialized Citizens Advice Service to those with Severe Mental Health illness
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
6 September 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Suffolk West Citizens Advice Bureau
The Risbygate Centre, 90 Risbygate Street,
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 3AA
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKH14 - Suffolk
Companies House
7645392
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: £238,334
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The Royal Courts of Justice
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom