Planning

Adult Autism Assessment Service - Diagnostic Outsourcing

  • North East London NHS Foundation Trust

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-035962

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04b46a

Published 6 November 2024, 3:48pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

North East London NHS Foundation Trust

CEME Centre - West Wing, Marsh Way

Essex

RM13 8GQ

Contact

Carla Cooper

Email

procurement@nelft.nhs.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKI52 - Barking & Dagenham and Havering

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from 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

Adult Autism Assessment Service - Diagnostic Outsourcing

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85121270 - Psychiatrist or psychologist services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The aim via this MSP is to outsource a minimum of 45 completed diagnostic assessments by 31st March 2025.

We expect a multi-disciplinary approach, using experienced qualified professionals using standard tools such as ADOS-2, 3DI, and AAA The expectation is for the service provision to be delivered 3-5 days/week as a multidisciplinary approach.

The provider must ensure that they have a robust quality assurance and governance framework in place in line with NICE Guidelines for the provision of the MDT Autism Service .

Face-to-face assessments will take place in sites across Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest, as appropriate to client need. NELFT will provide the venue and clinic rooms. Trust policy must be adhered to.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £50,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKI52 - Barking & Dagenham and Havering
Main site or place of performance

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, Paragraph 10 - The
Most Suitable Provider Process is being used to commission this service. This notice will be live for fourteen (14) days from the date of publication.

This is a notice to inform the market of the intention to commission a contract for Adult Autism Assessment Diagnostic Service in the boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest.

The Adult Autism Service (AAS) is predominantly a specialist diagnostic only service run by North East London Foundation (NELFT) and set within NELFT mental health services to carry out specialist, diagnostic assessment for adults, aged 18 years and over, with possible autism.

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. By the time adults reach the AAS they have often been struggling for many years to understand why they respond differently to many people, environments and situation around them, e.g. in forming relationships, understanding aspects of language and behaviour, reactions to sensory stimuli.

The national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults 2021-2026 sets out the government’s vision for tackling long diagnosis waiting times for adults waiting for an autism assessment. The strategy outlines plans, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Recovery Action plan, to invest in local systems testing different diagnostic pathways and post-diagnostic pathways which aim to helps tackle the health and care inequalities autistic people face.

North East London ICB have also developed delivery plan which outlines the commitments of the Learning Disability and Autism Programme in line with the NHS Long Term Plan. The delivery plan outlines objectives that have been set which include providing a specialist support service for adults with autism, reducing waiting times for specialist services and ensuring there is a robust post-diagnosis support package in place.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

6 November 2024


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intended approach 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.

Details of the award decision-makers – North East London NHS Foundation Trust Adult Autism Service


The intention is to award a contract using the most suitable provider process.