Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
2nd Floor, Woodland House, Maes-Y-Coed Road
Cardiff
CF14 4HH
UK
Contact person: Marisa Riley
Telephone: +44 2921501085
E-mail: marisa.riley2@wales.nhs.uk
NUTS: UKL22
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
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
Mental Health Service Users Benefits Advice Services
Reference number: CAV-MSPP-(26-27) 20
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85323000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Cardiff and Vale UHB intends to commission a community-based service providing specialist welfare benefits and debt advice to adults with mental health problems. The service will support individuals to maximise income, reduce or manage debt, and improve overall health
and wellbeing.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
252 400.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85323000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL22
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board intends to commission a community-based Mental Health Welfare Benefits and Debt Advice Service for adults aged 18+ experiencing mental health difficulties across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The service will provide specialist, holistic advice and casework support to address complex welfare benefits and debt issues, recognising the interrelationship between financial hardship and mental health.
The service will support individuals to maximise their income by ensuring access to all appropriate welfare benefits, provide representation and assistance with appeals, and offer specialist debt advice including debt management, negotiation with creditors, and access to appropriate debt relief options. It will focus on early intervention and prevention to reduce the escalation of financial problems, including the risk of homelessness and crisis situations, and will aim to improve financial resilience and long-term independence.
Delivery will be flexible, accessible and person-centred, offering support through a range of channels including face-to-face appointments, outreach provision, home and hospital visits where appropriate, and other accessible formats. The service will work collaboratively with statutory and third sector partners, including mental health services, to ensure coordinated pathways of support and improved access for vulnerable individuals.
The overarching aim of the service is to improve financial stability, reduce stress associated with debt and financial insecurity, and contribute to improved mental health, wellbeing, and the ability for individuals to maintain independent living within their communities.
This notice is an intention to award a contract under the Most Suitable Provider Process.
This is an existing service with an existing provider.
The contract is for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend for 2 further years in 12‑month intervals at the Health Board’s discretion, commencing 1st April 2027 to 31st March 2030 (31st March 2032).
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
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:
New works/services, constituting a repetition of existing works/services and ordered in accordance with the strict conditions stated in the Directive
Explanation
This is a Provider Selection Regime Wales (PSR Wales) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015/Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 10th June 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR Wales
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2026/S 000-045040
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: Mental Health Service Users Benefits Advice Services
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
26/05/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 0
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Riverside Advice
41A Lower Cathedral Road
Cardiff
CF116LW
UK
Telephone: +44 2920341577
NUTS: UKL22
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 252 400.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime Wales (PSR Wales) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015/Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 10th of June 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR Wales.
Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by E-mail: marisa.riley2@wales.nhs.uk.
The award decision makers for this process are members of the Mental Health Clinical Board within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
The award decision-makers’ rationale for selecting the chosen provider and utilising the Most Suitable Provider Process was based on key considerations.
The provider delivers a specialised, bespoke welfare benefits and debt advice service specifically tailored to individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions. This level of expertise is not replicated within the local market, and the provider has developed a strong understanding of the complex relationship between mental health and financial hardship, supported by established delivery models and integration with local services.
Continuity of provision was also a critical factor. The provider is currently supporting service users with ongoing benefit claims, appeals and tribunal cases. Any disruption or change in provider would present a significant risk to these individuals, potentially impacting case outcomes, financial stability and mental health. Retaining the existing provider ensures continuity of support from experienced staff familiar with service users’ circumstances.
Additionally, the provider’s established partnerships with statutory and third-sector organisations support effective referral pathways and joined-up service delivery.
No providers were excluded from the procurement process;
There were no declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest of individuals making the decision.
Information that has not been published and is withheld under regulation 23(1) due to commercial sensitivity
(WA Ref:165571)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
Telephone: +44 2079477501
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
01/06/2026