Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Sunderland City Council
City Hall, Plater Way
Sunderland
SR1 3AA
Contact
Issy Langley
issy.langley@sunderland.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKC23 - Sunderland
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Specialist Stop Smoking Service for Smoking for Sunderland
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC23 - Sunderland
Main site or place of performance
Within the Boundaries of the City of Sunderland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement at the time of conclusion of the contract:
CPV Code 85100000 - Health Services under the Public Contract Regulations (2015).
To deliver a Specialist Stop Smoking Service (SSSS) across Sunderland. The provision of high quality stop smoking services is a key priority in improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities among local populations.
The SSSS will have an increased focus on flexibility of offer, a person centred approach, support quit attempts across a variety of settings and provide a single point of access. The SSSS will focus on specified high risk populations and high prevalence geographical localities and will work with key partners across the health and social care system to maximise opportunities to support local people to stop smoking.
The Provider will utilise an Asset-Based Approach dedicated to supporting Service Users within the community setting. This approach will increase access, flexibility and choice to enable Service Users to stop smoking within their communities.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
72
Section four. Procedure
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Contract award notice concerning this contract
Notice number: 2023/S 000-005074
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
Not Applicable
Title
Specialist Stop Smoking Service for Sunderland
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:
13 December 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract/concession has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
ABL Health Limited
Greater Manchester
BL4 0JL
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKC23 - Sunderland
Companies House
07074944
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (at the time of conclusion of the contract;excluding VAT)
Total value of the procurement: £2,608,430
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Council of the City of Sunderland
City Hall
Sunderland
SR1 3AD
Country
United Kingdom
Section seven: Modifications to the contract/concession
seven.1) Description of the procurement after the modifications
seven.1.1) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
seven.1.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85323000 - Community health services
seven.1.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
- UKC23 - Sunderland
Main site or place of performance
Within the boundaries of the Council of the City of Sunderland.
seven.1.4) Description of the procurement:
The contract was procured as an open tender process under the PCR 2015:
The provision of Specialist Stop Smoking Service for Sunderland focusing on specified high risk populations and high prevalence geographical localities. The Contractor will work with key partners across the health and social care system to maximise opportunities to support local people to stop smoking in Sunderland as detailed in the Service Specification,
The contract was varied in 2023/2024 under the PCR 2015 to include the Education Programme - Vaping (temporary) for a sum of £36,568.00 (1.4%).
This contract now falls within the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) 2023.
seven.1.5) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
57
seven.1.6) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession:
£2,608,430
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
ABL Health Limited
Greater Manchester
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKC23 - Sunderland
Companies House
07074944
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
seven.2) Information about modifications
seven.2.1) Description of the modifications
Nature and extent of the modifications (with indication of possible earlier changes to the contract):
This modification consists of two elements which are to be varied:
Variation 1 - Local Stop Smoking and Support Grant (LSSSASG)
Following the provision of funding from Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) in regard to Local Stop Smoking and Support Services which is part of the government's initiative to create a smoke free generation.
The grant is expected to cover a five year period from 2024-2029, though funding is only confirmed for the first year of the grant (2024-2025).
The additional funding within the current commissioned Specialist Stop Smoking Services for Sunderland will build on more of the same within the current service specification and will involve increasing capacity and demand for local stop smoking services, and to increase the number of smokers engaging with effective interventions to quit smoking.
The part of the funding will be used for the recruit additional staff in relation to the Specialist Stop Smoking Service for Sunderland which will enhance the delivery of the service to assist in meeting the targets set within the grant.
This variation equates to £362,198.25 for years 1 and 2:
Maximum Costs (Year 1 - 9 Months) will be £156,699.25
Maximum Costs (Year 2 - 5) will be £205,599.00 per annum (subject to confirmation of receipt of the grant in year 2 - 5).
The modification does not render the contract materially different in character.
This variation is covered in PSR Clause 13.1 (a) as it is clearly and unambiguously provided for in the contract or framework agreement documents.
Variation 2 - Direct Supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) - To vary the contract to include the provision of NRT directly to Service Users for one week of their Behavioural Support Programme. This will enable Service Users to access NRT at their first appointment and will eliminate any delay in service provision and the need for Service Users to go to a pharmacy. ABL Health Limited will also demonstrate the use of the product(s) to the Service Users. This will reduce some barriers and additional costs to accessing the NRT product, particularly for those Service Users who are less mobile and/or have additional transport costs to pharmacy.
It is envisaged that ABL Health Limited will purchase the NRT products directly, and the maximum increase to the contract over a five year period will be £195,000. The Council will reimburse these expenses which are based on activity (years 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 are subject to the contract term being extended:
The direct supply of NRT will be varied in line with 13 (1) (d) the modification is attributable to a decision of the relevant authority of the criteria in paragraph (2) are met.
This contract has now been formally modified.
Decision Maker is the Executive Director Health, Housing & Communities.
There are no declared conflicts of interest.
seven.2.2) Reasons for modification
Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire.
Description of the economic or technical reasons and the inconvenience or duplication of cost preventing a change of contractor:
Need for modification brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority/entity could not foresee.
Description of the circumstances which rendered the modification necessary and explanation of the unforeseen nature of these circumstances:
Receipt of a grant from the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) in regard to Local Stop Smoking and Support Services which is part of the government's initiative to create a smoke free generation. The grant is expected to cover a five year period from 2024-2029, though funding is only confirmed for the first year of the grant (2024-2025). The additional funding within the current commissioned Specialist Stop Smoking Services for Sunderland will build on more of the same within the current service specification and will involve increasing capacity and demand for local stop smoking services, and to increase the number of smokers engaging with effective interventions to quit smoking.
The inclusion of the provision of NRT directly to Service Users for one week of their Behavioural Support Programme to enable Service Users to access NRT at their first appointment which will prevent any delay in service provision and the need for Service Users to go to a pharmacy.
Since the award of the contract there have been a number of decisions which have varied the contract by 22.76%.
seven.2.3) Increase in price
Updated total contract value before the modifications (taking into account possible earlier contract modifications, price adaptions and average inflation)
Value excluding VAT: £2,644,998
Total contract value after the modifications
Value excluding VAT: £3,202,196.25