Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS England North West
Q84
Liverpool
UK
E-mail: NECSU.neprocurement@nhs.net
NUTS: UKD
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.england.nhs.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
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
NHSE1108 L&D and RECONNECT Services, Enhanced RECONNECT Services and MH Treatment Requirement Services
Reference number: NHSE1108
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85323000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Liaison and Diversion and Reconnect Services, Enhanced Reconnect Services and Mental Health Treatment Requirement Services for Lancashire and Cumbria
North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) is a commissioning support service working for and on behalf of NHS England - North West (the Relevant Authority) who are undertaking a market engagement process via RFI to commission Liaison and Diversion and Reconnect Services, Enhanced Reconnect Services and Mental Health Treatment Requirement Services for Lancashire and Cumbria under the NHS Standard Contract.
Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services aim to provide early intervention for vulnerable people as they come to the attention of the criminal justice system. L&D services provide a prompt response to concerns raised by the police, probation service, youth offending teams or court staff, and provide critical information to decision-makers in the justice system, in real time, when it comes to charging and sentencing these vulnerable people. RECONNECT services aim to improve the wellbeing of people leaving prison, reduce inequalities and address health-related drivers of offending behaviours.
Enhanced RECONNECT (ER) service builds upon the RECONNECT programme as an enhanced pathway of care. The ER service will work in collaboration with partners, including those from across government to ensure that individuals that have been identified as high risk to the public and have complex health needs that may impact on their risk of reoffending
Primary Care Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) service aims to support individuals whose offending behaviour is linked to mental health needs by providing timely assessment, treatment and therapeutic interventions within Primary Care. The service seeks to offer courts an effective alternative to custodial sentences, address the underlying factors contributing to offending, and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
Proposed Contract Start Date: 01/10/2027
Closing date for submission of the RFI response is by 5pm 4th September 2026
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Liaison and Diversion and RECONNECT
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) is a commissioning support service working for and on behalf of NHS England - North West (the Relevant Authority) who are undertaking a market landscaping exercise in relation to Liaison and Diversion and Reconnect Services, Enhanced Reconnect Services and Mental Health Treatment Requirement Services for Lancashire and Cumbria
This market landscaping exercise is a request for information and is intended as an awareness, communication, and information gathering exercise.
Lot 1 - Liaison and Diversion (L&D) and RECONNECT Service
Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services aim to provide early intervention for vulnerable people as they come to the attention of the criminal justice system. L&D services provide a prompt response to concerns raised by the police, probation service, youth offending teams or court staff, and provide critical information to decision-makers in the justice system, in real time, when it comes to charging and sentencing these vulnerable people.
RECONNECT seeks to improve the continuity of care of vulnerable people leaving prison by working with them before they leave and support their transition to community-based
services, thereby safeguarding health gains made whilst in prison. RECONNECT services aim to improve the wellbeing of people leaving prison, reduce inequalities and address health-related drivers of offending behaviours
Proposed Contract Start Date: 01/10/2027
Proposed Contract End Date: 30/09/2033
The proposed contract term is for an initial period of 6 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years at the discretion of the Relevant Authority and subject to satisfactory contractual and financial performance.
It is important to note that this Market landscaping exercise is not a call for competition and as such you will need to express your interest in any future competition opportunity once the contract notice is published on Find a Tender.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2 - Enhanced RECONNECT
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) is a commissioning support service working for and on behalf of NHS England - North West (the Relevant Authority) who are undertaking a market landscaping exercise in relation to Liaison and Diversion and Reconnect Services, Enhanced Reconnect Services and Mental Health Treatment Requirement Services for Lancashire and Cumbria
This market landscaping exercise is a request for information and is intended as an awareness, communication, and information gathering exercise.
Lot 2 - Enhanced RECONNECT Service
The Enhanced RECONNECT (ER) service builds upon the RECONNECT programme as an enhanced pathway of care. The ER service will work in collaboration with partners including those from across government to ensure that individuals that have been identified as high risk to the public and have complex health needs that may impact on their risk of reoffending. This may include, but is not limited to, violent and sexual offenders, terrorist act offenses and those at risk of terrorism. This risk must be related to a health need
Proposed Contract Start Date: 01/10/2027
Proposed Contract End Date: 30/09/2030
The proposed contract term is for an initial period of 3 years.
It is important to note that this Market landscaping exercise is not a call for competition and as such you will need to express your interest in any future competition opportunity once the contract notice is published on Find a Tender.
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Lot 3 - Mental Health Treatment Requirement
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKD
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) is a commissioning support service working for and on behalf of NHS England - North West (the Relevant Authority) who are undertaking a market landscaping exercise in relation to Liaison and Diversion and Reconnect Services, Enhanced Reconnect Services and Mental Health Treatment Requirement Services for Lancashire and Cumbria
This market landscaping exercise is a request for information and is intended as an awareness, communication, and information gathering exercise.
Lot 3 - Mental Health Treatment Requirement Service
Three Community Sentence Treatment Requirements (CSTRs) were introduced in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 as many offenders experience mental health and substance misuse issues that are proven to underpin their offending behaviour. Treatment requirements offer courts an alternative to custodial sentences (especially short custodial sentences) and seek to prevent reoffending, by addressing the underlying vulnerabilities. This specification will be focusing on the provision of Primary Care MHTRs Primary Care MHTRs provide assessment, treatment, and interventions for those whose mental health issues don't cross the threshold of secondary care services, but also may present with additional health, social care, and substance misuse issues.
This service provides a clinical assessment and therapeutic pathway of support for those whose offence crosses the community order threshold, including secondary care MHTRs
which may also be combined with either an Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR) or Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR).
Proposed Contract Start Date: 01/10/2027
Proposed Contract End Date: 30/09/2033
The proposed contract term is for an initial period of 6 years, with an option to extend for a further 3 years at the discretion of the Relevant Authority and subject to satisfactory contractual and financial performance.
It is important to note that this Market landscaping exercise is not a call for competition and as such you will need to express your interest in any future competition opportunity once the contract notice is published on Find a Tender.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
12/11/2026
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
NECS is utilising an electronic tendering tool to manage this exercise and communicate with potential providers. Accordingly, there will be no hard copy documents issued to potential providers and all communications with NECS, will be conducted via Atamis:
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
If you find that you need any advice or technical support on the Atamis portal please contact the helpdesk using the following details:
Phone: 0800 0988201
E-mail: support-health@atamis.co.uk
Opening times 8am - 6pm
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
14/08/2026