Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS England
Wellington House, 133-135 Waterloo Road
London
SE18UG
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI - London
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
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
NHS England South East - Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) across the South East
Reference number
C253273
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS England South East (NHSE) sought to commission a Provider(s) which had the capability and capacity to deliver Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) across the South East region, in line with the specified requirements.
The procurement was divided into 5 lots within the South East as follows:
Lot 1: Kent and Medway (ICB footprint)
Lot 2: Surrey Heartlands (ICB footprint)
Lot 3: Hampshire and IOW (ICB footprint)
Lot 4: Berkshire (Local Authority) and Frimley (ICB footprint)
Lot 5: Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire (Local Authority footprint)
Providers were able to bid for one or all Lots.
Contracts are for a term of 5 years, with the option to extend for up to a further 3 years. Services are planned to commence from 1st April 2025.
The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with a GP, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units, and the armed forces.
The aim of the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
This should be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:
• focuses on improving uptake, reducing inequalities, and improving outcomes
• is accessible across all service elements
• is engaging, and integrated, working effectively with service users and stakeholders to ensure seamless and high-quality care
• is safe, effective, and high quality, with robust processes along the pathway
• embed a culture of quality, improvement, and learning
• is well-led, managed, and staffed
There are three key elements of service delivery, namely:
• routine digital screening - from 2025 and 2026, all eligible patients are to be managed on 12- or 24-month intervals
• digital surveillance where more frequent screening of those individuals who may be at increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy but have not reached the threshold to be referred into the Hospital Eye Services (HES), as required
• slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography is inappropriate (e.g., those having cataracts)
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) will be introduced into the programme across England in line with national guidance.
The total contract values for the 5 year initial term were advertised as follows:
Lot 1: Kent and Medway - £17,755,303
Lot 2: Surrey Heartlands - £8,084,825
Lot 3: Hampshire and IOW - £16,695,800
Lot 4: Berkshire and Frimley - £11,311,121
Lot 5: Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire - £9,927,015
This notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR).
This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £63,774,064
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Kent and Medway
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85100000 - Health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS England South East (NHSE) sought to commission a Provider(s) which have the capability and capacity to deliver Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) across the South East region, in line with the specified requirements.
Lot 1 covers Kent and Medway and has an eligible population of around 124,000 people.
The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with a GP, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units, and the armed forces.
The aim of the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:
• Identifies the eligible population and ensured effective delivery with maximum coverage
• Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured
• Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment, and improved outcomes
• Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent, and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participated in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD), and quality assurance (QA) schemes
• Has audit embedded in the service
• Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway was smooth and efficient.
There are three key elements of service delivery, namely:
• Routine digital screening - from 2025 and 2026, all eligible patients are managed on 12- or 24-month intervals for routine diabetic eye screening.
• Digital surveillance, where more frequent screening of those individuals who may be at increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy but have not reached the threshold to be referred into the Hospital Eye Services (HES), as required.
• Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography are inappropriate (e.g., those having cataracts).
The Contract is planned to commence on 1st April 2025, for an initial term of 5 years, with the option to extend for a further 3 years.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality and Innovation / Weighting: 38.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability / Weighting: 19.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Improving access and facilitating choice / Weighting: 15.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 13.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Staffing and Mobilisation / Weighting: 10.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Value / Weighting: 5.00%
Cost criterion - Name: Financial Model Template (FMT) / Weighting: Pass/ Fail
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract can be extended for up to a further 3 years.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Surrey Heartlands
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85100000 - Health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS England South East (NHSE SE) sought to commission a Provider(s) which have the capability and capacity to deliver Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) across the South East region, in line with the specified requirements.
Lot 2 covers Surrey Heartlands and has an eligible population of around 56,000 people.
The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with a GP, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units, and the armed forces.
The aim of the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:
• Identifies the eligible population and ensured effective delivery with maximum coverage
• Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured
• Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment, and improved outcomes
• Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent, and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participated in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD), and quality assurance (QA) schemes
• Has audit embedded in the service
• Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway was smooth and efficient.
There are three key elements of service delivery, namely:
• Routine digital screening - from 2025 and 2026, all eligible patients are managed on 12- or 24-month intervals for routine diabetic eye screening.
• Digital surveillance, where more frequent screening of those individuals who may be at increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy but have not reached the threshold to be referred into the Hospital Eye Services (HES), as required.
• Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography are inappropriate (e.g., those having cataracts).
The Contract is planned to commence on 1st April 2025, for an initial term of 5 years, with the option to extend for a further 3 years.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality and Innovation / Weighting: 38.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability / Weighting: 19.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Improving access and facilitating choice / Weighting: 15.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 13.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Staffing and Mobilisation / Weighting: 10.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Finance / Weighting: 5.00%
Cost criterion - Name: FMT / Weighting: Pass/ Fail
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract can be extended for up to a further 3 years.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85100000 - Health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS England South East (NHSE) sought to commission a Provider(s) which have the capability and capacity to deliver Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) across the South East region, in line with the specified requirements.
Lot 3 covers the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB area and has an eligible population of around 117,000 people.
The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with a GP, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units, and the armed forces.
The aim of the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:
• Identifies the eligible population and ensured effective delivery with maximum coverage
• Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured
• Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment, and improved outcomes
• Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent, and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participated in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD), and quality assurance (QA) schemes
• Has audit embedded in the service
• Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway was smooth and efficient.
There are three key elements of service delivery, namely:
• Routine digital screening - from 2025 and 2026, all eligible patients are managed on 12- or 24-month intervals for routine diabetic eye screening.
• Digital surveillance, where more frequent screening of those individuals who may be at increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy but have not reached the threshold to be referred into the Hospital Eye Services (HES), as required.
• Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography are inappropriate (e.g., those having cataracts).
The Contract is planned to commence on 1st April 2025, for an initial term of 5 years, with the option to extend for a further 3 years.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality and Innovation / Weighting: 38.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability / Weighting: 19.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Improving access and facilitating choice / Weighting: 15.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 13.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Staffing and Mobilisation / Weighting: 10.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Value / Weighting: 5.00%
Cost criterion - Name: Financial Model Template (FMT) / Weighting: Pass/ Fail
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract can be extended for up to a further 3 years.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Berkshire & Frimley
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85100000 - Health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS England South East (NHSE) sought to commission a Provider(s) which have the capability and capacity to deliver Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) across the South East region, in line with the specified requirements.
Lot 4 covers all of Berkshire and the Frimley ICB area and has an eligible population of around 79,000.
The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with a GP, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units, and the armed forces.
The aim of the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:
• Identifies the eligible population and ensured effective delivery with maximum coverage
• Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured
• Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment, and improved outcomes
• Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent, and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participated in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD), and quality assurance (QA) schemes
• Has audit embedded in the service
• Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway was smooth and efficient.
There are three key elements of service delivery, namely:
• Routine digital screening - from 2025 and 2026, all eligible patients are managed on 12- or 24-month intervals for routine diabetic eye screening.
• Digital surveillance, where more frequent screening of those individuals who may be at increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy but have not reached the threshold to be referred into the Hospital Eye Services (HES), as required.
• Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography are inappropriate (e.g., those having cataracts).
The Contract is planned to commence on 1st April 2025, for an initial term of 5 years, with the option to extend for a further 3 years.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality and Innovation / Weighting: 38.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability / Weighting: 19.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Improving access and facilitating choice / Weighting: 15.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 13.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Staffing and Mobilisation / Weighting: 10.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Value / Weighting: 5.00%
Cost criterion - Name: Financial Model Template (FMT) / Weighting: Pass/ Fail
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Contract can be extended for up to a further 3 years.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Lot No
5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85100000 - Health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS England South East (NHSE) sought to commission a Provider(s) which have the capability and capacity to deliver Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) across the South East region, in line with the specified requirements.
Lot 5 covers the whole of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and has an eligible population of around 69,000 people.
The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes and registered with, or eligible to be registered with a GP, as well as individuals within prisons, secure units, and the armed forces.
The aim of the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:
• Identifies the eligible population and ensured effective delivery with maximum coverage
• Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured
• Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment, and improved outcomes
• Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent, and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participated in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous professional development (CPD), and quality assurance (QA) schemes
• Has audit embedded in the service
• Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway was smooth and efficient.
There are three key elements of service delivery, namely:
• Routine digital screening - from 2025 and 2026, all eligible patients are managed on 12- or 24-month intervals for routine diabetic eye screening.
• Digital surveillance, where more frequent screening of those individuals who may be at increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy but have not reached the threshold to be referred into the Hospital Eye Services (HES), as required.
• Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography are inappropriate (e.g., those having cataracts).
The Contract is planned to commence on 1st April 2025, for an initial term of 5 years, with the option to extend for a further 3 years.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality and Innovation / Weighting: 38.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability / Weighting: 19.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Improving access and facilitating choice / Weighting: 15.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 13.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Staffing and Mobilisation / Weighting: 10.00%
Quality criterion - Name: Value / Weighting: 5.00%
Cost criterion - Name: Financial Model Template (FMT) / Weighting: Pass/ Fail
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The contract can be extended for up to a further 3 years.
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: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-012101
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
1
Lot No
1
Title
Kent and Medway
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23 September 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
InHealth Intelligence Limited
Beechwood Hall Kingsmead Road
High Wycombe
HP11 1JL
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Companies House
03257228
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £17,755,303
Total value of the contract/lot: £16,815,307
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
2
Lot No
2
Title
Surrey Heartlands
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23 September 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
InHealth Intelligence Limited
Beechwood Hall, Kingsmead Road
High Wycombe
HP11 1JL
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Companies House
03257228
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £8,084,825
Total value of the contract/lot: £7,656,783
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
3
Lot No
3
Title
Hampshire and Isle of Wight
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23 September 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
InHealth Intelligence Limited
Beechwood Hall. Kingsmead Road
High Wycombe
HP11 1JL
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Companies House
03257228
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £16,695,800
Total value of the contract/lot: £15,811,901
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
4
Lot No
4
Title
Berkshire
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23 September 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
InHealth Intelligence Limited
Beechwood Hall, Kingsmead Road
High Wycombe
HP11 1JL
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Companies House
03257228
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £11,311,121
Total value of the contract/lot: £10,712,264
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
5
Lot No
5
Title
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23 September 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
InHealth Intelligence Limited
Beechwood Hall, Kingsmead Road
High Wycombe
HP11 1JL
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Companies House
03257228
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £9,927,015
Total value of the contract/lot: £9,401,519
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The decision to award this contract in line with the Competitive Process was based on evaluation against the basic selection criteria (in the form of a Selection Questionnaire), which was assessed on a pass/fail basis, the PSR 5 key criteria, plus staffing and mobilisation, which were assessed on a 0-4 scale, with the below weightings.
Several tender questions were asked under each of the key criteria.
- Quality and Innovation: 38%
- Value: 5%
- Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability: 19%
- Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities, and Facilitating Choice: 15%
- Social Value: 13%
- Staffing and mobiliation: 10%
The provider(s) selected for award have been chosen as they passed the basic selection criteria and were the highest scoring bidder overall, against the key criteria.
After conducting a thorough Competitive Process, taking into account the key criteria and applying the basic selection criteria, NHS England South East is content that the provider's bids sufficiently met the key criteria and thus can proceed to contract award under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.
The evaluation panel consisted of representatives from NHS England South East, including Commissioning, Screening & Immunisations, Finance, Human Resources, and Nursing & Quality.
Award decisions have been recommended by the Head of Public Health Commissioning for Hampshire & Thames Valley (NHSE SE), and the Senior Public Health Commissioning Manager (NHSE SE).
Award decisions have been made by key members of the South East Regional Executive Team (SERET), namely, the South East Regional Director (also Chair) and the Regional Director of Commissioning for the South East.
There were two potential declarations of conflict of interest made via the conflict of interest process and recorded accordingly; these were not decision makers. Conflicts were appropriately managed, with one personnel being removed from the process. The other conflict recorded, upon review, was not deemed as an actual (or perceived conflict).
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract 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 publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by midnight Monday 21st October. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR.
This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.
Written representations should be sent to scwcsu.procurement@nhs.net
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
NHS England
London
Country
United Kingdom