KMPT, KCHFT & DGT Confidential Staff Liaison and Freedom To Speak Up Service - Pre-Market Engagement

Procurement description

Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, in collaboration with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, is initiating a market engagement exercise ahead of a formal procurement process for the provision of a Confidential Staff Liaison and Freedom to Speak Up Service.

The proposed service is intended to offer independent and confidential support for staff who wish to raise concerns, while also providing guidance for managers in resolving issues and promoting a safe and inclusive working environment. The service model will be designed to be flexible and scalable, ensuring it can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each participating Trust, taking into account variations in workforce size, organisational structure, and existing support arrangements.

Through this pre-market engagement, the Trusts aim to gain a clearer understanding of current market conditions and the level of interest in the opportunity. They are seeking valuable input from potential suppliers to help shape the procurement strategy, with particular interest in identifying potential challenges and risks, exploring any alternative delivery models, evaluating effective contractual terms, and assessing supplier capacity to deliver efficiencies and realise savings.

The information provided in this notice regarding the future procurement process (including indicative contract value, structure, and anticipated timeframes) is provisional and subject to change. Final details may be revised following the outcome of this market engagement exercise.

Further information about the engagement process, including how to participate, is outlined further below.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKJ4 - Kent

Total value (estimated)

1674790.00 GBP Excluding VAT

2009748.00 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

09 March 2026, 00:00AM to 08 March 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 08 March 2031

Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

CPV classifications

• 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
• 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
• 85312310 - Guidance services
• 79633000 - Staff development services
• 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services

Delivery regions

• UKJ4 - Kent

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

09 March 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

08 March 2029, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

08 March 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Engagement process description

This engagement is intended to gather valuable feedback from potential providers to help shape the Trusts’ procurement strategy. In particular, the Trusts are seeking insights into viable delivery models, approaches to risk mitigation, appropriate contract structures, and the scalability of services across multiple organisations. The exercise also aims to assess the level of market interest and the capacity of providers to deliver a collaborative, multi-Trust solution, while exploring opportunities for achieving efficiencies and cost savings through a joint procurement approach.

Providers who express an interest will be invited to complete a structured questionnaire to share their insights, capabilities, and recommendations. They will also be invited to attend a virtual market engagement presentation at 14:00 on Friday 5th September 2025, during which the Trusts will outline their objectives, anticipated timelines, and expectations for both the procurement process and the future service.

Suppliers wishing to participate are invited to contact Jake Fisher, Procurement and Contracts Manager, via email at kmpt.procurement@nhs.net Upon registration of interest, further details (including the questionnaire and presentation invitation) will be provided.

Due date

05 September 2025, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

22 September 2025