Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
99E
Phoenix House, Christopher Martin Rd,
Basildon
SS14 3HG
UK
Contact person: NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
E-mail: cariad.burgess@attain.co.uk
NUTS: UKH3
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.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
NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems
Reference number: ACE-0840-2025-MSE
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85323000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Urgent award notice under the Provider Selection Regime 2023 for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems Services for NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (herein referred to as 'the Authority').
The awarded contract is for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems Services, that are aimed at improving mental health outcomes by providing evidence-based therapeutic interventions. The services will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face, online, and telephone consultations. It will cater to individuals experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, ensuring timely access to professional 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:
466 928.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKH3
Main site or place of performance:
Mid and South Essex Health Economy
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Urgent award notice under the Provider Selection Regime 2023 for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems Services for NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (herein referred to as 'the Authority').
The awarded contract is for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems Services, that are aimed at improving mental health outcomes by providing evidence-based therapeutic interventions. The services will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face, online, and telephone consultations. It will cater to individuals experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, ensuring timely access to professional support.
This contract is being awarded on an urgent basis due the Competitive Process being under Review, necessitating the continuation of services with the current provider to avoid disruption. A delay in awarding this contract through standard procurement routes would have led to a service gap, negatively impacting service users by increasing waiting times and deteriorating mental health conditions.
Due to urgent circumstances, the Authority has awarded 1 month contract to incumbent provider: Inclusion (Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) (MPFT)
The contract period is for a total of 1 month from 1st December 2025 - 31st December 2025. The total aggregate contract value is estimated at £466,928.00
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: to address immediate risks to safety and quality of care
/ Weighting: 100
Price
/ Weighting:
100
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
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 contract has been awarded under the urgent circumstances provision of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply in this award.
Rationale as to why this provider has been awarded:
In line with the guidance for exemptions in urgent situations under the Public Contracts Regulations (PSR), the current provider has been awarded the contract due to the following reasons:
•Continuity of Care: The current provider has established relationships with service users, ensuring seamless care and avoiding disruption that could arise from transitioning to a new provider.
•Immediate Capacity and Expertise: The provider possesses the necessary infrastructure, workforce, and clinical expertise to continue delivering services without requiring additional mobilisation time.
•Avoidance of Service Gap: Appointing a new provider would require a significant transition period, during which service users could experience delays or a temporary lack of access to critical mental health support.
•Compliance with Urgent Procurement Regulations: this urgent award is justified as the ICB has identified extreme urgency that prevents the implementation of a competitive tender process to cover the service provision.
Proposed review date to conduct a full application of the PSR for that service: N/A as the Authority is undergoing a Review of the Competitive Procurement Process.
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
06/01/2025
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
Inclusion (Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) (MPFT)
Trust HQ, Mellor House Corporation Street,
Stafford
ST16 3AG
UK
NUTS: UKG
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 466 928.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This contract has been awarded under the urgent circumstances provision of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply in this award.
Proposed review date to conduct a full application of the PSR for that service: N/A as the Authority is undergoing Review of Competitive Procurement Process.
Details of Decision Makers:
Mid and South Essex ICB Operation Group
Mid and South Essex ICB Executive Team
Rationale as to why this provider has been awarded:
In line with the guidance for exemptions in urgent situations under the Public Contracts Regulations (PSR), the current provider has been awarded the contract due to the following reasons:
•Continuity of Care: The current provider has established relationships with service users, ensuring seamless care and avoiding disruption that could arise from transitioning to a new provider.
•Immediate Capacity and Expertise: The provider possesses the necessary infrastructure, workforce, and clinical expertise to continue delivering services without requiring additional mobilisation time.
•Avoidance of Service Gap: Appointing a new provider would require a significant transition period, during which service users could experience delays or a temporary lack of access to critical mental health support.
•Compliance with Urgent Procurement Regulations: this urgent award is justified as the ICB has identified extreme urgency that prevents the implementation of a competitive tender process to cover the service provision.
No conflicts of interest have been identified. The Authority is managing COIs in accordance with its policies.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board
Phoenix House, Christopher Martin Rd,
Basildon
SS14 3HG
UK
E-mail: cariad.burgess@attain.co.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
27/01/2026