Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board
Windsor
SL4 3DP
UK
E-mail: scwcsu.cbprocurement@nhs.net
NUTS: UKJ
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.frimley.icb.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
Friends in Need to NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB)
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85100000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission Buckinghamshire Mind to provide a 'Friends in Need' Service. The overall aim of the service is to provide a community-based offer to support people with mental health needs to reduce loneliness and isolation, increase wellbeing and social connections, support recovery by increasing individual resilience, awareness and understanding of mental health, support greater self-care, preventing and reducing the likelihood of a mental health crisis through peer support, groups, and activities.
The Commissioner is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider Buckinghamshire Mind in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £150,918.50 per annum, total expected spend (including VAT), for the initial three year contract term is £452,755.50. The full lifetime contract value (three years + two year extension) is £754,592.50. The three-year contract period will commence on the 01st April 2024.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
754 592.50
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission a 'Friends in Need' Service. A summary of the purposes and objectives of the services are:-are: -
The Friends in Need (FiN) service is a quality driven and accessible peer led community for anyone affected by mental health challenges. In 2016/17 the service was based in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and in 2017/18 the service was expanded to incorporate both Slough and Bracknell & Ascot.
Initially the programme was designed primarily to support people affected by isolation and loneliness which often accompanies people suffering from depression and mental health problems. Alongside delivery of the community mental health transformation and formation of our new MHICS (MH integrated community service) teams who support people with more significant mental health needs and co-morbidities such as substance misuse in the community: the scope of FiN has been expanded to ensure people experiencing a wider range of mental health problems (diagnosed or undiagnosed) and social determinants of need can access the hugely impactful groups and support.
The over-arching principle of FiN however remains the same as it looks to bring people (regardless of their diagnosis) together to build their own sustainable peer support networks within their local area and online.
It enables likeminded people to find friends and activities in their local area and online with the Friends in Need Facebook group.
Over the years the Friends in Need network has become a well-regarded and established service amongst the local community with several groups and activities available every day of the week all year around. The Friends in Need group supporting ages 17-25 will continue to develop and support the different needs and peer support requirements of that group which is already seeing activity increasing every quarter.
The Commissioner is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider Buckinghamshire Mind in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £150,918.50 per annum, total expected spend (including VAT), for the initial three year contract term is £452,755.50. The full lifetime contract value (three years + two year extension) is £754,592.50. The three year contract period will commence on the 01st April 2024.
This procurement has been carried out 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:
Yes
Description of options:
Option to extend for 2 years
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 08th April 2024. 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
21/03/2024
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
Buckinghamshire Mind
Company House
High Wycombe
HP11 2QR
UK
NUTS: UKJ
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 452 755.50
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
The Commissioner made the decision of directly awarding the incumbent provider Buckinghamshire Mind 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
It has been advised that Buckinghamshire Mind has the evidenced ability to deliver the activity required to meet service requirements within the required region and that can deliver to the tight timescale. A direct award to Buckinghamshire Mind would be appropriate and present the best value for the Commissioner in this circumstance.
No declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest were identified during the decision-making process.
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 08th April 2024. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
Representations should be sent. - scwcsu.cbprocurement@nhs.net
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
NHS Frimley ICB
Windsore
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
21/03/2024