Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS CHESHIRE AND MERSEYSIDE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Regatta Place, Brunswick Business Park, Summers Lane
Liverpool
L34BL
UK
Contact person: Emily McShane-Riding
E-mail: emily.mcshaneriding1@nhs.net
NUTS: UKD72
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/about/nhs-cheshire-and-merseyside/
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://portal.us.bn.cloud.ariba.com/dashboard/public/appext/comsapsbncdiscoveryui#/RfxEvent/preview/1110021195?anId=ANONYMOUS
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
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
The Provision of a Mental Health Crisis Text Support Service on behalf of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is seeking to engage with the market regarding the provision of an all-age, 24-hour, 7 days a week/ 365 days a year Mental Health Crisis Text Service across Cheshire and Merseyside.
The service will provide immediate, accessible and inclusive text-based support for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is intended to be fully integrated with NHS 111 (Mental Health Option) and local crisis response pathways, ensuring seamless access to urgent mental health support and onward referral where required.
The service has been developed in line with NHS England guidance on urgent and emergency mental health care and supports the objectives of the NHS Long Term Plan, the Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan, and national suicide prevention priorities. It aims to improve access to crisis support for people who may experience barriers to traditional services, including those affected by stigma, communication difficulties, disability, sensory needs, or geographical isolation across the region's diverse urban and rural communities.
This notice is intended to inform the market of the Authority's future procurement intentions and support engagement with potential providers.
The term of the contract is 2 years plus a potential 1 year extension. The total contract value over the 2 years plus the potential 1 year extension will be a maximum total contract value calculated as £900,000
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
900 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD6
UKD7
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority is seeking to engage with the market in advance of a potential procurement for the provision of an all-age Mental Health Crisis Text Service across Cheshire and Merseyside, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The service will provide immediate text-based support for individuals experiencing mental health distress or crisis, including assessment, de-escalation, safety planning, signposting and referral into appropriate local crisis and urgent mental health services. The service must be accessible, inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse populations, including individuals who may face barriers to accessing traditional telephone or face-to-face support.
The service will be required to integrate effectively with NHS 111 (Mental Health Option), local crisis pathways and other relevant health and care services across Cheshire and Merseyside, supporting timely access to urgent mental health care and helping to reduce avoidable presentations to emergency and acute services.
Through this market engagement exercise, the Authority is seeking feedback from potential providers on service delivery models, operational requirements, integration considerations, affordability, capacity and capability, and any opportunities for innovation. Information gathered will help inform the development of the service specification and procurement strategy.
All market engagement documentation and supporting materials will be made available via SAP Ariba. Interested organisations wishing to participate in this market engagement exercise should register their interest through SAP Ariba (link provided below), where they will be able to access the relevant documentation, submit responses and receive any updates or clarifications issued by the Authority.
https://portal.us.bn.cloud.ariba.com/dashboard/public/appext/comsapsbncdiscoveryui#/RfxEvent/preview/1110021195?anId=ANONYMOUS
Please use the "Respond" button and follow the instructions provided to either log in or create an account.
Once this has been completed, you will be able to access and download the MEQ documents.
This procurement requirement falls within the scope of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR), as introduced under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. Accordingly, any subsequent procurement process will be conducted in accordance with the applicable PSR regulations and guidance. This market engagement exercise is being undertaken to inform the commissioning approach, understand market capability and capacity, and gather information from potential providers prior to making any procurement decision.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
01/09/2026
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
10/08/2026