Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care Board
County Hall, Martineau Ln
Norwich
NR1 2DH
Contact
Lisa Innes
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.improvinglivesnw.org.uk/about-us/our-nhs-integrated-care-board-icb/icb-contact/
Buyer's address
https://www.improvinglivesnw.org.uk/about-us/our-nhs-integrated-care-board-icb/icb-contact/
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
Market Engagement for Non-Emergency Patient Transport for Norfolk & Waveney ICB
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board are inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to express their interest in delivering Non- Emergency Patient Transport services ((NEPTs) for eligible Norfolk and Waveney patients across NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB.
Following the abandonment of the most recent competitive process, the Commissioners are inviting the market to express their interest in the future delivery of these services and seeking feedback from the market on the feasibility of these services commencing from 1st October 2024, to help inform any future competitive procurement process. Potential providers interested in this service are requested to complete the soft market testing questionnaire.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £77,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85100000 - Health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH1 - East Anglia
Main site or place of performance
Norfolk and Waveney
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The aim of this service is to provide Non- Emergency Transport for eligible Norfolk and Waveney patients with a medical need, between their places of residence, community, social care and acute settings transporting patients in safe, timely, comfortable and clinically appropriate transport without detriment to their medical condition. This includes all Mental Health transport, both secure and non/specialist. There is a need for the NEPTS Provider in the post-COVID pandemic to be able to respond to rapidly changing regional demand patterns to cater for the patient, the Acute Trusts, Community partners, Mental Health partners and other stakeholder partners across Norfolk and Waveney ICS.
It is anticipated that the contract period will be for an initial period of 5 years with the option to extend for up to a further two years, commencing 1st October 2024. The indicative timescales for the tender release date is scheduled for January 2024. Commissioners have included an indicative timeline to support this market testing process. These dates may be subject to change depending on the engagement feedback.
The aim of this Expression of Interest is to;
1. provide the market with visibility of the proposed opportunity;
2. support the ICB decision making to inform the future commissioning of services (as applicable);
3. to help define the future service approach, model and timelines;
4. to gauge the level of interest from the market of capable providers with capacity across the region to deliver the services noted above.
A further tender advertisement will be issued at the appropriate time. You will not be disadvantaged in any subsequent tender process if you choose not to respond to this market testing process, but the Commissioner wishes to understand your views on the proposed Timescales. The deadline for Soft Market Testing responses is by 14:00 hours on Friday 22nd December 2023. Please note this is a market testing exercise and does not commit the ICB to carry out any further procurement process. Current services will remain in place during this period in line with existing contracts and service level agreements. Any future opportunity will be carried out in accordance with the ICB’s procurement obligations under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
two.2.14) Additional information
The Contracting Authority will be using an eTendering system for this market testing exercise. Further information and the expression of interest documentation can be found via the ‘Live Opportunities’ list on the e-procurement system at the following link: https://health-family-contract-search.secure.force.com/?searchtype=Projects. You can search for the opportunity by entering the following contract ref C231235.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
22 January 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