Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Woodland House, Maes-y-coed Road
Cardiff
CF14 4HH
UK
Contact person: Lowri Crossman
E-mail: Lowri.Crossman@wales.nhs.uk
NUTS: UK
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
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
“Follow Me” Project roll out - Hepatitis C Trust
Reference number: CAV-DIR (26-27) 29
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85140000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
This contract relates to the continuation of the existing Hepatitis C Trust (HCT) Follow Me Project, an established peer‑led Hepatitis C (HCV) testing and treatment engagement service operating across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The current three‑year contract expires on 31st May 2026, and this briefing outlines the scope, rationale and value of maintaining the service beyond this date.
The service targets people who use drugs and other inclusion health groups who are at increased risk of blood borne viruses (BBVs), particularly Hepatitis C. It plays a critical role in prevention, early diagnosis, linkage to care and treatment completion, thereby contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced demand on acute health services.
The Follow Me Project is a peer‑led intervention, delivered by trained staff and volunteer peers with lived experience of Hepatitis C. The model is designed to overcome barriers to engagement with traditional clinical pathways by delivering outreach‑based testing, harm reduction advice and sustained peer support.
A direct award was selected due to the specialist nature of the service, the clear evidence of a single capable provider, and the need to maintain continuity of a well‑embedded peer‑led model. Alternative procurement routes were not considered proportionate, as disruption would risk destabilising established clinical pathways and progress towards national Hepatitis C elimination priorities.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
300 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL22
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This contract relates to the continuation of the existing Hepatitis C Trust (HCT) Follow Me Project, an established peer‑led Hepatitis C (HCV) testing and treatment engagement service operating across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The current three‑year contract expires on 31st May 2026, and this briefing outlines the scope, rationale and value of maintaining the service beyond this date.
The service targets people who use drugs and other inclusion health groups who are at increased risk of blood borne viruses (BBVs), particularly Hepatitis C. It plays a critical role in prevention, early diagnosis, linkage to care and treatment completion, thereby contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced demand on acute health services.
The Follow Me Project is a peer‑led intervention, delivered by trained staff and volunteer peers with lived experience of Hepatitis C. The model is designed to overcome barriers to engagement with traditional clinical pathways by delivering outreach‑based testing, harm reduction advice and sustained peer support.
Key elements include:
- Community‑based HCV testing in high‑prevalence settings
- Peer support to reduce stigma and increase engagement
- Active linkage to clinical services and treatment pathways
- Ongoing support for individuals lost to follow‑up
A direct award was selected due to the specialist nature of the service, the clear evidence of a single capable provider, and the need to maintain continuity of a well‑embedded peer‑led model. Alternative procurement routes were not considered proportionate, as disruption would risk destabilising established clinical pathways and progress towards national Hepatitis C elimination priorities.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Direct Award to The Hepatitis C Trust via the Direct Award Process 1 (DAP1) under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR).
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 works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason: absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation
A direct award was selected due to the specialist nature of the service, the clear evidence of a single capable provider, and the need to maintain continuity of a well‑embedded peer‑led model. Alternative procurement routes were not considered proportionate, as disruption would risk destabilising established clinical pathways and progress towards national Hepatitis C elimination priorities.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: CAV-DIR (26-27) 29
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
01/06/2026
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: 0
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
The Hepatitis C Trust
72 Weston Street
London
SE13QH
UK
Telephone: +44 7951028304
NUTS: UK
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:
: 300 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:165836)
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