Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Frimley ICB
Windsor
SL4 3DP
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ37 - North Hampshire
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.frimley.icb.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
Talking Therapies NEHF
Reference number
PSCG0029
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission Talking Therapies Services (previously known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapy IAPT Services).
It is estimated that nationally around 17.7% of adults aged 18 and older meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one common mental health disorder and are targeted to enter the Talking Therapies Services.
Reducing the prevalence of common mental health disorders is a major public health concern. In 2007 the annual cost to treat depression and anxiety disorders in England was nearly £3 billion, with an additional economic impact of around £13 billion in lost earnings among people of working age.
The Talking Therapies Service is based on a stepped model of care offering a range of psychological treatments for patients with mild, mild to moderate, moderate to severe and complex mental health problems. Talk Plus delivers this service across NEHF and has maintained consistently high standards in terms of outcomes quality and wider system impact.
The Commissioner is intending to direct award a contract, under Direct Award C, to the existing provider NHUC - Talk Plus in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £4,175,463 for the one year contract term. The one year period will commence on the 01st April 2025.
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: £4,175,463
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ37 - North Hampshire
Main site or place of performance
North East Hampshire and Farnham
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission Talking Therapies Services (previously known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapy IAPT Services). A summary of the purposes and objectives of the services are:-
• Increased risk of escalation of needs and crisis presentation, in particular as post Covid we've seen a significant increase in acuity and risk. Anticipated impact to secondary care mental health is an additional 2 referrals to CMHRS/Single point of access per week.
• Increased waiting times by 3-4 weeks further (longer f2f)
• Lack of physical locations to support people locally with a significant reduction in capacity to see people face to face rather than virtually. Leaving people who want/are only able to receive support in person now waiting up to 18 weeks for an appointment.
• Significant impact on a wide range of stakeholder in particular primary care who will experience an increase in GP appointments for people on waiting lists- anticipated to be an additional 2 GP appointments per week.
• Reduction in support and ability to work in an integrated approach with our acute hospitals and PCN's for people with Long Term Conditions. Immediate impact would be pulling out of work with hypertension prevention team, cardiac team and at least one of the PCN LTP training courses. Resulting in impact on previously documented system efficiencies seen after Talk Plus intervention (totally £2m from ED,OP and IP stays over 3 year period)
• Widening of the inequalities gap around mental health. Significant impact and lack of access for people with digital and transport poverty, older adults.
The Commissioner is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider NHUC - Talk Plus in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £4,175,463 for the initial one year contract term. The one year period will commence on the 01st April 2025.
This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard / Weighting: 100
Cost criterion - Name: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard / Weighting: 100
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: 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 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 6th January 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
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
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
16 December 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
NHUC - Talk Plus
Farnborough
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ37 - North Hampshire
Companies House
IP29835R
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £4,175,463
Total value of the contract/lot: £4,175,463
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The Commissioner made the decision of directly awarding the incumbent provider NHUC - Talk Plus in accordance with the following five criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.
• Quality and innovation
• Value
• Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability
• Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice
• Social value
It has been advised that NHUC - Talk Plus has the evidenced ability to deliver the activity required to meet service requirements within the required region. A direct award to NHUC - Talk Plus under PSR Direct Award C would be appropriate following the Commissioner's evaluation of this provider against the statutory requirements of PSR Direct Award C, and the Commissioner's conclusion that all requirements and criteria have been satisfied.
No declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest were identified during the decision-making process.
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 decision makers by 6th January 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
Written representations should be sent to scwcsu.cbprocurement@nhs.net.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
NHS Frimley ICB
Windsor
Country
United Kingdom