Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Frimley ICB
D4U1Y
Windsor
UK
E-mail: scwcsu.cbprocurement@nhs.net
NUTS: UKJ
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.frimley.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
Talking Therapies NEHF
Reference number: PSCG0029
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission Talking Therapies Services (previously known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapy IAPT Services).
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) corrigendum notice. The intention to award notice (reference: 2024/S 000-040893) can be found via the following link: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040893-2024
It is estimated that nationally around 17.7% of adults aged 18 and older meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one common mental health disorder and are targeted to enter the Talking Therapies Services.
Reducing the prevalence of common mental health disorders is a major public health concern. In 2007 the annual cost to treat depression and anxiety disorders in England was nearly £3 billion, with an additional economic impact of around £13 billion in lost earnings among people of working age.
The Talking Therapies Service is based on a stepped model of care offering a range of psychological treatments for patients with mild, mild to moderate, moderate to severe and complex mental health problems. Talk Plus delivers this service across NEHF and has maintained consistently high standards in terms of outcomes quality and wider system impact.
The Commissioner is intending to direct award a contract, under Direct Award C, to the existing provider NHUC - Talk Plus in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £4,405,148 for the one year contract term. The one year period will commence on the 01st April 2025.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
4 405 148.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ37
Main site or place of performance:
North East Hampshire and Farnham
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission Talking Therapies Services (previously known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapy IAPT Services). A summary of the purposes and objectives of the services are:-
• Increased risk of escalation of needs and crisis presentation, in particular as post Covid we've seen a significant increase in acuity and risk. Anticipated impact to secondary care mental health is an additional 2 referrals to CMHRS/Single point of access per week.
• Increased waiting times by 3-4 weeks further (longer f2f)
• Lack of physical locations to support people locally with a significant reduction in capacity to see people face to face rather than virtually. Leaving people who want/are only able to receive support in person now waiting up to 18 weeks for an appointment.
• Significant impact on a wide range of stakeholder in particular primary care who will experience an increase in GP appointments for people on waiting lists- anticipated to be an additional 2 GP appointments per week.
• Reduction in support and ability to work in an integrated approach with our acute hospitals and PCN's for people with Long Term Conditions. Immediate impact would be pulling out of work with hypertension prevention team, cardiac team and at least one of the PCN LTP training courses. Resulting in impact on previously documented system efficiencies seen after Talk Plus intervention (totally £2m from ED,OP and IP stays over 3 year period)
• Widening of the inequalities gap around mental health. Significant impact and lack of access for people with digital and transport poverty, older adults.
The Commissioner is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider NHUC - Talk Plus in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £4,405,148 for the initial one year contract term. The one year period will commence on the 01st April 2025.
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) corrigendum notice. The intention to award notice (reference: 2024/S 000-040893) can be found via the following link: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040893-2024
This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard
/ Weighting: 100
Cost criterion: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard
/ 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 is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) corrigendum notice. The intention to award notice (reference: 2024/S 000-040893) can be found via the following link: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040893-2024
The awarding of this contract is subject to 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 to this award.
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
30/06/2025
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
NHUC - Talk Plus
IP29835R
Farnborough
UK
NUTS: UKJ37
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
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:
: 4 405 148.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
The Commissioner made the decision of directly awarding the incumbent provider NHUC - Talk Plus in accordance with the following five criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.
• Quality and innovation
• Value
• Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability
• Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice
• Social value
It has been advised that NHUC - Talk Plus has the evidenced ability to deliver the activity required to meet service requirements within the required region. A direct award to NHUC - Talk Plus under PSR Direct Award C would be appropriate following the Commissioner's evaluation of this provider against the statutory requirements of PSR Direct Award C, and the Commissioner's conclusion that all requirements and criteria have been satisfied.
No declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest were identified during the decision-making process.
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) corrigendum notice. The intention to award notice (reference: 2024/S 000-040893) can be found via the following link: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040893-2024
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
NHS Frimley ICB
Windsor
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
08/07/2025