Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
DEVON PARTNERSHIP NHS TRUST
Wonford House
Exeter
EX25AF
UK
Contact person: Helen Jaques
E-mail: dpt.procurementcontracting@nhs.net
NUTS: UKK43
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local agency/office
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Devon Mental Health Alliance (DMHA)
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The service offers support to people with a defined Serious Mental Illness (SMI), covering a range of needs and diagnoses, including but not limited to psychosis, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, severe depression, complex emotional disorders and mental health rehabilitation needs.
The service will operate as a multi-agency team partner with primary and secondary care providing:
• Open Access Front Door: Accessible entry point for adults with SMI.
• Navigation Support: Assistance in accessing appropriate community services.
• One-to-One Emotional Support: Personalised emotional support.
• Psychosocial and Group Support: Group work and interventions to enhance mental wellbeing.
• Peer Support: Peer support programmes encouraging shared experiences.
• Community-Based Wellbeing Support: Ongoing support to help individuals with SMI stay well in their communities.
The delivery model is designed at a locality level reflecting the differing needs of communities.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Lowest offer:
6 850 155.00
GBP/ Highest offer:
6 850 156.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKK4
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
In Devon, it is estimated that approximately 1% of the adult population (aged 18+) is living with a serious mental illness (SMI), which includes diagnoses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depressive disorders. This prevalence equates to roughly 10,000 individuals across the county, highlighting the significant demand for services designed to meet the needs of this population. Furthermore, the prevalence of SMI in Devon is expected to rise due to a combination of factors, including population growth, an aging demographic, and the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
These trends underline the importance of continuing to integrate mental health services and expand support for those with SMI in the coming years. By embedding the principles and successes of the Community Mental Health Framework into ongoing service delivery, the Devon Mental Health system aims to continue improving outcomes for this population while addressing the anticipated rise in demand for mental health services in the future.
The need to maintain a strong focus on supporting the wellbeing of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and integrating mental health services within primary and community care settings has been further underlined by recent high-profile events. These events have raised concerns about how to best support individuals diagnosed with conditions such as psychosis and schizophrenia, particularly when they do not actively engage in treatment or follow-up care.
This service offers support to people with a defined Serious Mental Illness (SMI), covering a range of needs and diagnoses, including but not limited to psychosis, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, severe depression, complex emotional disorders and mental health rehabilitation needs.
The service will operate as a multi-agency team partner with primary and secondary care providing:
• Open Access Front Door: Accessible entry point for adults with SMI.
• Navigation Support: Assistance in accessing appropriate community services.
• One-to-One Emotional Support: Personalised emotional support.
• Psychosocial and Group Support: Group work and interventions to enhance mental wellbeing.
• Peer Support: Peer support programmes encouraging shared experiences.
• Community-Based Wellbeing Support: Ongoing support to help individuals with SMI stay well in their communities.
The delivery model is designed at a locality level reflecting the differing needs of communities.
The service will support people to improve their wellbeing through one-to-one support, counselling, signposting, peer support sessions, training, workshops and more.
This notice is the Trust's statement of our intention to award a contract to an existing provider following the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, direct award process C.
The approximate lifetime value of this contract is £6,850,156 (based on a 2yr initial term + 3 x 1-yr optional extension options)
The services will be provided between 1st April 2027 and 31st March 2029 (excluding 3 x 1-yr optional extension options)
II.2.5) Award criteria
Cost criterion: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard
/ Weighting: 100
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
Three one-year extension options awarded at the discretion of the contracting authority.
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 standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 30 June 2026. 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
22/06/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Step One Charity
235434
Exeter
UK
NUTS: UKK4
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
Lowest offer:
6 850 155.00
GBP
/ Highest offer:
6 850 156.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
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 standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Written representations by providers must be made to dpt.procurementcontracting@nhs.net by 30th June 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
The details of the award decision-makers are as follows:-
Sonja Manton - Director of Strategy and Partnership
There were no conflicts of interest.
Devon Mental Health Alliance represents an established, system-integrated partnership model that is already delivering key components of CMHF in collaboration with Devon Partnership Trust (DPT) and Livewell Southwest.
A direct award under PSR Route C has been supported as the proportionate and operationally appropriate option by DPT with support and agreement from Livewell Southwest (noting the delivery of services in Plymouth).
The criteria for assessing providers under the Direct Award process has been considered and met, in addition to assurance that the threshold for considerable change has not been met.
Quality and Innovation
o The provider demonstrates strong capability in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care aligned to national standards, including NICE guidance and NHS Outcomes Framework domains.
o Robust outcomes and quality monitoring arrangements are in place, including a focus on patient safety, experience and outcomes, measured through:
o ReQoL, PREMs, PROMS
o Safeguarding, complaints, and staff satisfaction
o Commitment to continuous improvement via performance monitoring:
o Quarterly dashboards
o Outcomes tracking and KPI reporting [
o Innovation in care delivery models:
o Biopsychosocial interventions
o Peer support and community-based approaches
o Flexible "step up / step down" care pathways
o Use of digital systems (SystmOne and datasets) to standardise reporting and improve data-driven decision-making
This provides assurance of consistent quality, ongoing innovation, and measurable outcomes improvement.
________________________________________
2. Value
The Alliance delivers clear system value, particularly through:
• Prevention and early intervention, reducing escalation and avoidable demand on primary and emergency services
• Ongoing monitoring of demand, capacity, and intervention effectiveness to ensure resource efficiency
• The model leverages the VCSE sector's strengths, enabling cost-effective delivery of holistic support and improved wellbeing outcomes.
• Delivering efficient use of resources through:
o Demand vs capacity monitoring
o Intervention effectiveness tracking
• Aim to reduce unnecessary system use:
o Fewer primary care and emergency presentations for SMI
o Prevention and early intervention focus
• Whole-system value:
o System-wide impact analysis of pathways yearly
• Leveraging VCSE sector strengths to maximise outcomes and cost-effectiveness
A shift toward outcomes-based performance and annual system impact analysis supports value for money and alignment with strategic commissioning priorities.
________________________________________
3. Integration and Collaboration
• The Alliance is a fully integrated system partner, embedded within the Devon mental health pathway and working across primary, secondary and VCSE sectors
• It operates as a multi-agency model with established partnerships jointly contributing to CMHF delivery with Devon Partnership Trust and Livewell Southwest
Key strengths include:
• Seamless care pathways across organisational boundaries without formal referral barriers
• Strong emphasis on locality-based delivery structures and multi-agency governance
• A well-established co-production model, ensuring services are shaped by people with lived experience. Ensuring Co-production with service users, carers, and communities:
o Shared decision-making
o Continuous feedback loops
o Equal partnership principles
• Strategic role in:
o System leadership
o Developing VCSE capacity and partnerships
This level of integration would be difficult to replicate within required timescales, supporting the case for direct award.
________________________________________
4. Improving Access and Reducing Health Inequalities
• The service directly supports improved access to care, including:
o Commitment to timely access to support and advice for individuals with mental illness
o Open access front door and navigation support to improve entry into other services
• Focus on:
o Earlier intervention
o Community-based care closer to home
• The model is explicitly designed to be inclusive and equitable, with compliance to the Equality Act 2010 and mechanisms to provide reasonable adjustments
• Target population includes people with serious mental illness (SMI) with increasing demand due to:
o Population growth
o Socioeconomic impacts
• Monitoring demographic breakdown and inequalities via reporting requirements
This aligns strongly with system priorities on health inequalities and access standards.
________________________________________
5. Social Value
The Alliance delivers significant social value through
• Strong emphasis on community-based wellbeing and resilience:
o Peer support
o Workshops and community interventions
• Building community capacity and assets through:
o VCSE partnerships
o Local engagement and development
• Co-production approach enhances:
o Ownership by communities
o Services tailored to real needs
• Focus on improving overall wellbeing and social outcomes, including:
o Resilience
o Independent living
o Reduced social isolation
• Contribution to wider determinants of health through integrated, community-led support
This contributes to broader population health and prevention objectives, beyond traditional clinical care.
________________________________________
Conclusion and Justification for Direct Award
The Devon Mental Health Alliance represents a mature, established, and high-performing integrated provider model, with:
• Proven delivery of CMHF objectives within Devon
• Strong alignment with national policy and local strategic priorities
• Established system integration and partnerships that would be difficult to replicate
• Demonstrable quality, value, and social impact
A direct award is therefore justified on the basis that:
• The provider is uniquely positioned within the existing system architecture
• Continuity of provision is critical to maintaining integrated pathways and outcomes
• Re-procurement would introduce significant risk to service delivery, integration, and patient outcomes.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Exeter
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
22/06/2026