Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board
2nd floor Gail House Lower Stone Street
Maidstone
ME15 6NB
Contact
Lindsay Gamlin
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ41 - Medway
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.kentandmedway.icb.nhs.uk/
Buyer's address
https://www.kentandmedway.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
Kent and Medway Individual Placement and Support Service
Reference number
C373958
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board are undertaking a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Competitive Process and are inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to bid for a Individual Placement and Support Service in Kent and Medway. The contract duration will be for an initial period of 3 years with an option
to extend for up to a further 2 years as required.
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: £13,228,032
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board are undertaking a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Competitive Process and are inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to bid for a Individual Placement and Support Service in Kent and Medway. The contract duration will be for an initial period of 3 years with an option
to extend for up to a further 2 years as required.
Individual Placement Support Service across Kent & Medway is for adults 18+ with a Serious Mental Illness which delivers high quality care and identifies and addresses health inequalities.
Individual Placement and Support is an evidence-based approach that helps people with severe mental illness (SMI) to achieve meaningful, paid employment as part of their recovery journey. IPS offers intensive, person-centred support to help individuals choose secure, and sustain the right job—often within just weeks of referral. Ongoing support is provided to both the employee and employer, ensuring a strong foundation for long-term success
Individual Placement Support Service is rooted in eight internationally recognised principles, including:
A focus on paid, competitive employment (not volunteering or sheltered work)
Zero exclusion – anyone who wants to work is eligible
Integration with mental health teams, ensuring a joined-up approach to care and support
IPS achieves significantly better outcomes than traditional vocational services. Studies show that IPS helps more people return to work faster, earn more, remain in work longer, and spend less time in hospital. This is why IPS is recommended by NICE as a core intervention in mental health services.
This notice is an Intention to award a contract under the Competitive Process.
The lifetime value of the contract is expected to be £13,228,032.00
The initial term of the contract will be between 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029, with the option to extend to up to 31st March 2031
This contract relates to an existing service with the intention to award being made to an existing provider.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality & Innovation / Weighting: 45%
Quality criterion - Name: Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability / Weighting: 14%
Quality criterion - Name: Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice / Weighting: 11%
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 10%
Cost criterion - Name: Value / Weighting: 20%
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Contract may be extended for up to 2 years
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2025/S 000-050929
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
2 December 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 5
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Shaw Trust
Oldbury
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ4 - Kent
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £13,228,032
Total value of the contract/lot: £13,228,032
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
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 Procurement Act 2023 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 23:59 on the 16th December 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR.
Written representations should be sent to l.gamlin@nhs.net.
Award decision-makers - Kent & Medway ICB Board
Date of decision: 02nd December 2025
Conflicts of Interest: None declared
The Key Criteria used and weighted by the authority were as follows:
Quality and Innovation 45%
Value 20%
Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability 14%
Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice 11%
Social value 10%
The rationale for this was based on the detailed list of all requirements according to the specification and requirements of the integrated care system.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
NHS England
7&8 Wellington Place
Leeds
LS1 4AP
Country
United Kingdom