Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS SOMERSET INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
QSL
Yeovil
BA22 8HR
UK
E-mail: somicb.contracts-admin@nhs.net
NUTS: UKK23
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Address of the buyer profile: www.nhssomerset.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
Social Prescribing Link Worker - Rural Practice Network
Reference number: QSL-Rural Practice Network-SPLW-2021_22
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Social prescribing is a key part of Universal Personalised Care, connecting people to non-clinical community activities and services that support their social, emotional, and practical wellbeing. Delivered by trained professionals, it offers a holistic, person-centred approach that empowers individuals, reduces reliance on clinical services, and strengthens local communities through meaningful engagement.
Somerset Integrated Care Board are intending to award a contract to the existing provider following a Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process C. The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract. The services provided are the service specification are not changing considerably.
This contract is for a period of 12 months from 01/07/26 to 30/06/27.
This Notice has been published by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
76 797.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85100000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKK23
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Somerset Integrated Care Board ("the ICB") is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider Rural Practice Network in accordance with the following five criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023:
SPLW teams have strong collaborative relationships across Somerset's health, care, and community sectors, with presence within local networks, helping to ensure that individuals receive coordinated, holistic support. These links are ensured via taking a proactive role in multi‑agency meetings and neighbourhood collaborations at PCN-level, contributing valuable community insight and championing prevention-first approaches.
These partnerships are helping reduce duplication and improve the consistency of support for people with complex social needs. They also reflect the Providers' ongoing commitment to integrated working, collaborative problem‑solving, and elevating community voices within Somerset's health and care landscape.
Our Social Prescriber providers in Somerset come together as a Community of Practice to ensure learning and connections between teams, and as part of the Somerset Social Prescribing Collaborative to develop our strategic direction for social prescribing and a joint standards framework and performance metrics.
A direct award to Rural Practice Network would be appropriate and present the best value for the Commissioner in this circumstance.
Direct Award C has been used for the award of this contract. The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract. The services provided are the service specification are not changing considerably
The Commissioner made the decision of directly awarding the incumbent
Provider 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
The approximate lifetime value of the contract is £76,797
This contract is for a period of 12 months from 01/07/2026 to 30/06/2027.
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award 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 and The 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 12th June 2026 (8 working days following publication of intention to award notice) this contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
This Notice has been published by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 100%
Price
/ Weighting:
0%
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) intention to award 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.
The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 12th June 2026 (8 working days following publication of intention to award notice). This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
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
15/12/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Rural Practice Network
11X
Castle Cary
UK
NUTS: UKK23
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:
: 76 797.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
The decision was approved in line with Somerset Integrated Care Board's Scheme of Reservation and Delegation by the Contract Oversight Group (COG) and Finance Committee.
There were no conflicts of interest identified among committee members.
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award 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. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 12th June 2026 (8 working days following publication of intention to award notice). This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
Written Representation can be sent to : angelamortley@nhs.net
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Somerset Integrated Care Board
Yeovil
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
01/06/2026