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
Darlington Health Squad
Reference number
PB2025-00142
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This notice is an intention to award the contract under the Provider Selection Regime - Most Suitable Provider process.
The Darlington Health Squad Service is based on a proven outreach-first model established in County Durham to tackle health inequalities and improve population health and wellbeing. Delivered in partnership between the NHS and voluntary sector, the Health Squad adopts a community development approach and provides an offer of holistic health assessments, delivery of health interventions, health care system navigation and advocacy. Addressing immediate health needs, longer-term engagement with healthcare when needed, and support to address the wider determinants of health.
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: £522,289
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC13 - Darlington
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This notice is an intention to award the contract under the Provider Selection Regime - Most Suitable Provider process.
The Darlington Health Squad Service is based on a proven outreach-first model established in County Durham to tackle health inequalities and improve population health and wellbeing. Delivered in partnership between the NHS and voluntary sector, the Health Squad adopts a community development approach and provides an offer of holistic health assessments, delivery of health interventions, health care system navigation and advocacy. Addressing immediate health needs, longer-term engagement with healthcare when needed, and support to address the wider determinants of health.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: most suitable provider process with regard to the key criteria / Weighting: 100
Price - Weighting: 0
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
If the Authority wishes to extend this Contract, it shall give the Provider written notice of such intention before the expiry date.
Option to extend 2 x 12 months
two.2.14) Additional information
This notice is an intention to award the contract under the Provider Selection Regime - Most Suitable Provider process.
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 decision makers by 11th December 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: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
PB2025-00142
Title
Darlington Health Squad
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
20 October 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
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
DL3 6HX
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKC13 - Darlington
NHS Organisation Data Service
RXP
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £505,611
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 publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by the 11th December 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice services as an intention to award under the PSR.
Decision-makers:
Lorraine Hughes - Director of Public Health
Abbie Kelly - Public Health Portfolio Lead
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.
CDDFT currently provide a Durham Health Squad across three localities of County Durham, adding to the offer Darlington would become the fourth locality. The Health Squad is based on a proven outreach first model established in County Durham to tackle health inequalities and improve population health and wellbeing. The Health Squad will provide intensive outreach, engagement, health assessment, and support for people at greatest risk of poor health and wellbeing outcomes and experiencing health inequalities due to social exclusion, multiple disadvantage, or systemic barriers to accessing healthcare.
Criteria included: evidence based outcomes from County Durham and potential impact that the team could have in Darlington to tackle health inequalities and improve population health and well being.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Darlington Borough Council
Town Hall
Darlington
DL1 5 QT
Country
United Kingdom