Prior information notice
This notice is a call for competition
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Liverpool City Council
Cunard Building
Liverpool
L31DS
UK
Contact person: Marlon Roy
Telephone: +44 1513513164
E-mail: marlon.roy@liverpool.gov.uk
NUTS: UKD72
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://liverpool.gov.uk/
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://procontract.due-north.com/
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://procontract.due-north.com/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Notice of Intention under the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) process -Local Stop Smoking Service & Support Grant (LSSSSG) Smoking Cessation Service
Reference number: DN775943
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
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 contract.
This Intended Approach Notice is being published in line with Regulation 10 - under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime - PSR) Regulations 2023. (The Most Suitable Provider Process) is being used to commission this service.
This will be published for at least 14 calendar days as per the requirements of the Provider Selection Regime 2023.
This is to enable providers to approach the Council and express their interest in being considered as the 'most suitable provider'.
Once you have registered and accessed the Pro-Contract project reference DN775943, please send a message through the portal's messaging facility to express your interest.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1 813 526.00
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:
UKD72
Main site or place of performance:
Liverpool City
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Liverpool City Council is seeking a provider via the Most Suitable Provider process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 to enhance current stop smoking and support provision.
Description of Service and Initiative:
The Office of Health Inequalities and Disparities (OHID) has allocated funding through the Local Stop Smoking Services & Support Grant (LSSSSG) to local authorities in England for stop smoking services and support over a 5 year period. The grant supports the government's commitment to create a smoke-free generation and is specifically to enhance smoking cessation support in Liverpool and to increase the number of smokers setting a date to quit smoking.
The purpose of the LSSSG is to deliver the government ambitions regarding a smokefree generation through supporting existing smokers to quit. The investment is to increase access to evidence-based behavioural support to quit and to provide targeted support to people more likely to smoke, to reduce health inequalities. The finding comes with increased ambitions for the numbers of people quitting smoking set by OHID.
This additional investment should not replace activity delivered as part of the core public health grant or NHS Long Term Plan. It is intended to be used by local authorities to deliver more or enhanced stop smoking support provision. The funding can support building capacity to support smokers to quit and increase referrals. from a range of settings, such as primary care or mental health services. The funding cannot be used for tobacco enforcement activity.
Liverpool City Council is seeking a suitable provider to deliver a service which achieves these ambitions commencing in July 2025.
The provider must be able to deliver a stop smoking service in accordance with NG209 guidelines and have established links and networks to enable the service to be delivered in a fully integrated way.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Price
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
1 813 526.00
GBP
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Details of award decision makers:
The decision will be made as a Delegated Executive Decision by the Director of Public Health
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
The successful MSP will have to satisfy the Basic Selection Criteria and demonstrate how they meet the Key Criteria as listed within this notice.
The Council will select the MSP based on the following stages:
1) The Provider will have to satisfy the Basic Selection Criteria in accordance with regulation 19 of the PSR
2) The Council will then assess providers who satisfy the Basic Selection Criteria against the Key Criteria as set out below to determine the MSP.
The criteria are ranked in priority order:-
a) Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability
b) Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice value
c) Value
d) Quality and Innovation
e) Social Value
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
As part of the MSP process there will be an assessment of the company's financial performance and stability based on the accounts provided and a financial risk assessment carried out by Credit Safe
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
A)
- The Provider must ensure staff delivering the behavioural support treatment programme have all competencies identified by the National Centre for Smoking Cessation Training (NCSCT) Standard Treatment Programme to deliver stop smoking interventions.
- Full NCSCT Level 2 certification
- Registration with NCSCT as certified practitioners.
B) The provider must have experience of delivering a stop smoking service in accordance with NG209 guidelines (Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence (NICE Guidance 209)
C) The provider must have experience of integrating services within existing provision and local pathways
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
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:
06/06/2025
Local time: 17:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.5) Scheduled date for start of award procedures
13/06/2025
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel
London
UK
E-mail: england.procurementpanelinfo@nhs.net
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
When the Council conclude their assessment of the MSP, an intention to award notice will be published. The day after said notice is published, the Council will enter into a standstill process in line with Regulation 10(7) and 12 (respectively) of The Health Regulations 2023 and observe an 8 working day standstill period, before awarding any contract. Provider will have until the 8th working day (specify date) before representations can be made.
VI.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel
London
UK
E-mail: england.procurementpanelinfo@nhs.net
Internet address(es)
URL: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO47kp0aGZXo5Il1ClUdRBSnhUMUJDQ0tWN0pEUlhFNjVQTVhZMTBFWTdOSy4u
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
23/05/2025