Prior information notice
This notice is a call for competition
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Portland House, 44 Richmond Road
Worthing
BN11 1hs
UK
Contact person: Tope Falola
E-mail: tope.falola@sabp.nhs.uk
NUTS: UKJ2
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/
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
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other: Sussex partnership NHS Foundation Trust
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Sussex Staying Well Services
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85121270
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, on behalf of NHS Sussex, is commissioning a community-based mental health crisis support service—Staying Well—to provide an alternative to Emergency Departments. The service will offer a safe, psychologically informed environment for individuals aged 18+ experiencing mental distress or self-defined crisis, including those not meeting secondary care thresholds. Delivered jointly with VCSE partners, the service focuses on prevention, peer support, and bridging gaps between primary and secondary care, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan and Mental Health Five Year Forward View.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1 183 740.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85121270
85141000
85121270
85323000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ2
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The NHS Long Term Plan and Mental Health Five Year Forward View requires 24/7 community-based crisis response services, redesigned across whole systems to ensure delivery of a seamless support services that lessen and/or avert a mental health crisis, reducing the need for acute support services. The Crisis Care Concordat includes the aim of easy access to support and a quick response from service providers and in particular reach marginalised or seldom heard groups, offering a service to people who would otherwise be disqualified, or would either avoid or choose not to engage with statutory health services.<br/><br/>Historically most people experiencing mental distress outside of GP working hours have found themselves struggling to find support and often end up accessing Emergency Departments (EDs) or contacting Police and Ambulance services. <br/><br/>The Staying Well service in Sussex is a joint service offer from both VCSE providers and Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust (SPFT). <br/><br/>The Staying Well service provides an alternative to EDs by offering support to people with mental health difficulties, and those experiencing self-defined crisis, a space for people to build upon their existing skills and identify their strengths to support their recovery offering the opportunity for people accessing the service to learn and support each other through peer support or staff-led groups. <br/><br/>Some people who experience mental health crisis do not have a formal diagnosis and have on-going difficulties that do not meet the secondary mental healthcare threshold. A Staying Well service can support them, alongside their GP in bridging the gap between primary and secondary care. <br/><br/>SPFT are Commissioning, on behalf of NHS Sussex, an alternative, but complimentary service, to the statutory services currently on offer for people who are in mental distress and self-defined crisis, with the aim of reducing the need of people to attend ED and to gain support and reduce the use of emergency and acute mental health services by preventing crises escalating. <br/><br/>The Service will offer a safe, supportive and psychologically informed environment that is conducive to reducing emotional and psychological distress, promoting independence, and assist in the recovery for everyone, aged 18 and over, who is in mental health distress or experiencing a crisis, including a self-defined crisis whose needs are not best met by other available services. <br/><br/>Staying Well is a departure from traditional models of care and service delivery as it focuses on community engagement, and accessibility for all and a preventative approach, rather than diagnosis and treatment.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Price
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
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
Restricted procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest
Date:
27/08/2025
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intended approach notice. 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.’<br/><br/>Award decison makers: Deputy Director – Contracts, Head of Programme - MH Urgent & Emergency Care Transformation , Managing Director - West Sussex, Engagement and Co-production Lead, Senior Category Manager - Healthcare/ Clinical Procurement<br/><br/>Intention is to award a contract using the most suitable provider process.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Portland House, 44 Richmond Road
Worthing
BN11 1hs
UK
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Portland House, 44 Richmond Road
Worthing
BN11 1hs
UK
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
23/07/2025