Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Darlington Borough Council
Town Hall, Feethams
Darlington
DL15QT
Contact
Michael Howlett
michael.howlett@darlington.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKC13 - Darlington
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.darlington.gov.uk/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Sexual Health Services - Community Contraception Service
Reference number
PB2023-01324
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Provision of contraceptive services including the fitting and removal of long acting reversable contraception, the provision of emergency oral hormonal contraception, the provision of a condom card scheme along with clinical advice and support.
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: £1,596,208.60
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 33641400 - Contraceptives
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC13 - Darlington
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Provision of contraceptive services including the fitting and removal of long acting reversable contraception, the provision of emergency oral hormonal contraception, the provision of a condom card scheme along with clinical advice and support.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: to address immediate risks to safety and quality of care / Weighting: 100
Price - Weighting: 0
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
C1.1 If the Authority wishes to extend this Contract, it shall give the Provider written notice of such intention before the Expiry Date set out in clause A3.2.
C1.2 If the Authority gives such notice then the Expiry Date shall be extended by the period set out in the notice.
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:
Contract Award Notice required as per Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Regulations. Direct Award Process C.
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
Title
Sexual Health Services - Community Contraception Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
21 July 2025
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
Primary Healthcare Darlington
Ground Floor Forsyth House, 20 Woodlands Road
Darlington
DL3 7PL
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKC13 - Darlington
Companies House
09213928
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: £1,596,208.60
Total value of the contract/lot: £1,596,208.60
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This contract has been awarded under the urgent circumstances provision of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
The intention is to continue to work with the existing provider to provide Community Contraception services and there is an existing contract which was about to expire. The direct award would ensure sustainability of a high quality service with a provider with a proven track record of delivery. It would also ensure that local residents continued to have direct access to this service within the borough.
Non competitive market for highly specialised services with very limited provider base. Evidence of market failure in neighbouring authorities.
Decision-makers:
Lorraine Hughes -Director of Public Health
Ken Ross - Public Health Specialist
Conflicts of interest:
1 potential/perceived Conflict of Interest recorded for/by Lorraine Hughes.
This has been recorded, and non-conflicted members of the project group have assessed the nature of this conflict and have determined that there is no risk or impact on this process, and that no further mitigating actions are required.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Darlington Borough Council
Darlington
DL1 5QT
Country
United Kingdom