Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board
2nd floor Gail House Lower Stone Street
Maidstone
ME15 6NB
UK
Contact person: William Clark
E-mail: william.clark7@nhs.net
NUTS: UKJ41
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.kentandmedway.icb.nhs.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.kentandmedway.icb.nhs.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Kent & Medway Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
NHS Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board have undertaken a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Competitive Process for a Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid 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.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
8 969 998.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ4
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board have undertaken a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Competitive Process for a Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid 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.<br/><br/>To provide an integrated specialist service for adults (and transitioning young people) with suspected or diagnosed ME/CFS and/or Long Covid across Kent and Medway.<br/><br/>Key Features of the Service:<br/>• Early diagnosis and personalised care planning<br/>• Multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach including medical, nursing, AHPs, and care coordinators<br/>• Virtual and in-person support options<br/>• Integration with primary care, community services, and voluntary sector<br/>• Support for self-management, rehabilitation, and return to work/education<br/>• Dedicated pathways for severely affected patients, including home-based care<br/>• Transition support for young people moving from paediatric to adult services<br/><br/>To provide full end to end pathway for patients with Long Covid & Chronic Fatigue. It includes diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery support and delivery of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid to meet the clinic specification in the recently revised national guide for post-COVID syndrome assessment clinics. To support serious debilitating conditions that can follow any type of viral infection. Both conditions have key symptoms in common and there may be similar level of functional impairment in in both. However, there are some important differences that distinguish some people with Long Covid from those with ME/CFS.<br/><br/>This contract relates to an existing service with the intention to award being made to a new provider.<br/><br/>The contract will commence September 2026 for 3 years with the Commissioner having the option<br/>to extend the Contract for a further 2 years.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Social value
/ Weighting: 10%
Quality criterion: Quality & Innovation
/ Weighting: 30%
Quality criterion: Integration, collaboration & service sustainability
/ Weighting: 20%
Quality criterion: Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice
/ Weighting: 10%
Cost criterion: Value
/ Weighting: 30%
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
Contract may be extended for up to 2 years
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
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2026/S 000-000147
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
01/04/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Connect Health Ltd
02337692
The Light Box Quorum Business Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE12 8EU
UK
NUTS: UKC22
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 8 969 998.00
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.<br/>The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection<br/>Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement<br/>Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the<br/>standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by<br/>23:59 on the 11th May 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice<br/>serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR.<br/><br/>Written representations should be sent to william.clark7@nhs.net.<br/><br/>Award decision-makers - Kent & Medway Executive Sub-Committee<br/>Date of decision: 27th April 2026<br/>Conflicts of Interest: No conflicts of interest raised.<br/><br/>The lifetime value of the contract is expected to be £8,969,998<br/>The Key Criteria used and weighted by the authority were as follows:<br/>Quality and Innovation 30%<br/>Value 30%<br/>Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability 20%<br/>Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice 10%<br/>Social value 10%<br/>The rationale for this was based on the detailed list of all requirements according to the<br/>specification and requirements of the integrated care system.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
NHS England
Wellington House, 133-135 Waterloo Rd
London
SE1 8UG
UK
E-mail: england.commercialqueries@nhs.net
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.england.nhs.uk/
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
27/04/2026