Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
Phoenix House, Christopher Martin Road
Basildon
SS14 3HG
Contact
NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
Telephone
+44 2034356590
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH3 - Essex
NHS Organisation Data Service
QH8
Internet address(es)
Main address
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
Provision of Urgent Award MSK Pain Management and Rheumatology on behalf of NHS Mid and South Essex ICB
Reference number
ACE-0755-2024-MSE
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This is an updated notice and replaces Notice Number 2025/S 000-008527 and Notice Reference 2025-041034 due to these services being impacted by the community MSK and pain service procurement. This is a change to the original notification.
The Contract Term is to reduce uncertainty for the Providers and to ensure continuity of service. Originally the award was approved by Executive Committee in November 2024 as an award for 7 months with an option to extend for 5 months. The Contract Term shall now be for 12 months, with a 3 months’ notice period. The current procurement timeline is indicating a new service may start on 1st February 2026, but this is subject to change.
The Urgent Award to the existing provider is to ensure that there is continued provision of MSK Pain Management and Rheumatology Services to the registered population of NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (Basildon and Brentwood and Thurrock) to ensure sufficient time for the procurement and that there is no risk to patient safety through increased (long) waiting times unless an arrangement is in place for 1 April 2025 as all access would then be referred into MSEFT who have confirmed they cannot absorb the activity within current capacity.
The current contract with the incumbent (Connect Health) expires on 31st March 2025 and as a consequence there is a requirement to award this contract. The value is a £0 value contract – paid at local prices – planning value for 2025-26 is £3,320,718
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: £3,320,718
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
Main site or place of performance
Brandon, Suffolk
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This is an updated notice and replaces Notice Number 2025/S 000-008527 and Notice Reference 2025-041034 due to these services being impacted by the community MSK and pain service procurement. This is a change to the original notification.
The Contract Term is to reduce uncertainty for the Providers and to ensure continuity of service. Originally the award was approved by Executive Committee in November 2024 as an award for 7 months with an option to extend for 5 months. The Contract Term shall now be for 12 months, with a 3 months’ notice period. The current procurement timeline is indicating a new service may start on 1st February 2026, but this is subject to change.
The Urgent Award to the existing provider is to ensure that there is continued provision of MSK Pain Management and Rheumatology Services to the registered population of NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (Basildon and Brentwood and Thurrock) to ensure sufficient time for the procurement and that there is no risk to patient safety through increased (long) waiting times unless an arrangement is in place for 1 April 2025 as all access would then be referred into MSEFT who have confirmed they cannot absorb the activity within current capacity.
The current contract with the incumbent (Connect Health) expires on 31st March 2025 and as a consequence there is a requirement to award this contract. The value is a £0 value contract – paid at local prices – planning value for 2025-26 is £3,320,718
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: to address immediate risks to safety and quality of care / Weighting: 100
Price - 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 an updated notice and replaces Notice Number 2025/S 000-008527 and Notice Reference 2025-041034 due to these services being impacted by the community MSK and pain service procurement. This is a change to the original notification.
The Contract Term is to reduce uncertainty for the Providers and to ensure continuity of service. Originally the award was approved by Executive Committee in November 2024 as an award for 7 months with an option to extend for 5 months. The Contract Term shall now be for 12 months, with a 3 months’ notice period. The current procurement timeline is indicating a new service may start on 1st February 2026, but this is subject to change.
The Urgent Award to the existing provider is to ensure that there is continued provision of MSK Pain Management and Rheumatology Services to the registered population of NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (Basildon and Brentwood and Thurrock) to ensure sufficient time for the procurement and that there is no risk to patient safety through increased (long) waiting times unless an arrangement is in place for 1 April 2025 as all access would then be referred into MSEFT who have confirmed they cannot absorb the activity within current capacity.
The current contract with the incumbent (Connect Health) expires on 31st March 2025 and as a consequence there is a requirement to award this contract. The value is a £0 value contract – paid at local prices – planning value for 2025-26 is £3,320,718
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
Title
Provision of Urgent Award for MSK, Pain Management and Rheumatology Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
5 November 2024
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
Connect Health Limited
The Light Box, Quorum Business Park, Benton Lane,
Newcastle Upon Tyne,
NE12 8EU
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKC2 - Northumberland and Tyne and Wear
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £3,320,718
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This contract has been awarded under the urgent circumstances provision of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This contract has been awarded under 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 in this award.
This is an updated notice and replaces Notice Number 2025/S 000-008527 and Notice Reference 2025-041034 due to these services being impacted by the community MSK and pain service procurement. This is a change to the original notification.
The Contract Term is to reduce uncertainty for the Providers and to ensure continuity of service. Originally the award was approved by Executive Committee in November 2024 as an award for 7 months with an option to extend for 5 months. The Contract Term shall now be for 12 months, with a 3 months’ notice period. The current procurement timeline is indicating a new service may start on 1st February 2026, but this is subject to change.
The Urgent Award to the existing provider is to ensure that there is continued provision of MSK Pain Management and Rheumatology Services to the registered population of NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (Basildon and Brentwood and Thurrock) to ensure sufficient time for the procurement and that there is no risk to patient safety through increased (long) waiting times unless an arrangement is in place for 1 April 2025 as all access would then be referred into MSEFT who have confirmed they cannot absorb the activity within current capacity.
The current contract with the incumbent (Connect Health) expires on 31st March 2025 and as a consequence there is a requirement to award this contract. The value is a £0 value contract – paid at local prices – planning value for 2025-26 is £3,320,718
Decision makers are: NHS Mid and South Essex ICB Executive Team
No conflicts of interest have been identified
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The Royal Courts of Justice
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom