Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Hertfordshire County Council
County Hall
Hertford
SG138DQ
UK
E-mail: strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk
NUTS: UKH23
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
The Provision of a Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) Early Help Eating Disorder Service
Reference number: HCC2617687
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
For the provision of a Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) Early Help Eating Disorder Service.
The Early Help Eating Disorder Service provides NICE‑recommended, evidence‑based and evidence‑informed interventions for children and young people (CYP) aged 5-18 who are suspected to have, or be developing, eating difficulties or eating disorders, including related concerns. The service offers timely early intervention to prevent deterioration, promote recovery and resilience, and reduce the need for referral to specialist eating disorder services.
Delivered as a community‑based early help offer, the service responds flexibly to the evolving needs of CYP and their families. It adopts an innovative, holistic and person‑centred approach, ensuring that CYP and families are actively involved in decision‑making throughout their care. Accessibility and partnership working are central to the model, supporting positive outcomes through tailored, evidence‑based support.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
1 000 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKH23
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The service is for the provision of a Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) Eating Disorder Service.
The Council is intending to award this contract to our existing provider following Direct Award Process C under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR.)
The contract will commence on 1st June 2026 until 31st May 2028 with the option to extend for 1 plus 1 years until 31st May 2030. (Maximum 4 years total.)
The approximate life time value of this contract is stated in II.1.7 above and includes the value of any possible extensions.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard
/ Weighting: 100
Price
/ Weighting:
0
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
There is the option to extend the contract for one (1) year plus one (1) year subject to available funding and satisfactory performance at the discretion of the Council.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
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 or the Procurement Regulations 2024 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 5th May 2026.
This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section V: Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
16/04/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
First Steps ED
1185092
Woburn House, Vernongate,
Derby
DE1 1UL
UK
NUTS: UKF11
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1 000 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Regulations 2024 do not apply to this award.
The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period.
Representations must be made to decision makers by 5th May 2026.
The contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice services as an intention to award under the PSR.
Written representations should be sent to:
strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Details of individuals making the award decision:
CYPMHS Clinical Commissioning Manager
Senior Development Manager
CYPMHS Senior Commissioning Manger
Herts & West Essex MHST Commissioning Officer
Deputy Head of Service IHCCT: CYPMHS Commissioning and Design
The existing provider is satisfying the existing contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract. The provider has been assessed against the relevant 5 key criteria and has passed the requirements.
There were no conflicts of interest identified.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Independent Choice and Procurement Panel
Wellington House
London
SE1 8UG
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
The Council will enter into an 8 working day standstill period following publication of this Contract Award Notice before officially awarding the contract in line with the requirements under PSR.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
21/04/2026