Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Shared Business Services Limited
05280446
Three Cherry Trees Lane, Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 7AH
UK
Contact person: Sarah Treece-Birch
E-mail: nsbs.nhsbusinessservices@nhs.net
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://discovery.ariba.com/rfx/19779402
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other: Public Sector Framework Provider https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/nhs-sbs-about-us
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
AUDIT SERVICES FOR HEALTH (SBS10517)
Reference number: SBS10517
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79200000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) act in an Agency capacity for and on behalf of its customers (Approved Organisations) - existing and new. These comprise of NHS and Social Care organisations (whether acting individually, or on behalf of, or together as members of any consortia) along with any other public or private sector bodies which NHS SBS authorises to use the resulting Framework/Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).
NHS SBS intends to put in place a Framework Agreement for the provision of Audit Services for Health and related services for Healthcare to be used by NHS SBS Approved Organisations.
Our Approved Organisation list can be found on:
https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-agreements-categories/
We are committed to working with suppliers who are dedicated to Sustainability and Social Value and there will be a significant weighting on these elements in the tender.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
150 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:
The Lot structure is indicative at this stage and will be confirmed in any resultant Contract Notice/Tender Notice.
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Provision of External Audit Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79210000
79313000
79414000
79700000
90711100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
External Audit Service is to provide an independent, effective, professional and proactive audit opinion of the accounts and annual financial reports.
II.2.14) Additional information
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework, subject to review and change, is expected to go live approximately October 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAP Ariba RFI
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Provision of Internal Audit Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79210000
79313000
79414000
79700000
90711100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Internal audit services will contribute to the improvement of governance, risk management and control processes. It will examine, evaluate and report on the adequacy of Internal Control Systems & Value for Money objectives.
II.2.14) Additional information
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework, subject to review and change, is expected to go live approximately October 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAP Ariba RFI
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Provision of Counter Fraud Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79210000
79313000
79414000
79700000
90711100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot sets out a specification for the Provision of a Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS) providing clear and quality processes.
II.2.14) Additional information
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework, subject to review and change, is expected to go live approximately October 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAP Ariba RFI
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Well Led Governance Reviews
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79210000
79313000
79414000
79700000
90711100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot provides Approved Organisations with a structured reference for External reviews of their Governance & Culture and intends to support Approved Organisations in maintaining and developing the effectiveness of their governance arrangements carried out by Independent Reviewers
II.2.14) Additional information
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework, subject to review and change, is expected to go live approximately October 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAP Ariba RFI
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Audit and Governance Ancillary Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79210000
79313000
79414000
79700000
90711100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot covers a broad range of services and it is anticipated that this lot will be used for general financial assurance and advisory work.
II.2.14) Additional information
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework, subject to review and change, is expected to go live approximately October 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAP Ariba RFI
Lot No: 6
II.2.1) Title
Independent Workplace Investigations
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79210000
79313000
79414000
79700000
90711100
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot will deliver independent workplace investigations to enable employers to understand the facts and identify the issues relevant to resolving allegations or disputes involving employees.
II.2.14) Additional information
Please see description in the main contract objective on the Request for Information (RFI). Lots will be defined as an outcome of this initial market engagement PIN. The new Framework, subject to review and change, is expected to go live approximately October 2025.
Please see the link at section 1.3 above for instructions on how to participate and submit responses via the SAP Ariba RFI
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
01/11/2024
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to signal an intention to commence market engagement with those within the Audit Services market.
Please complete the RFI on SAP Ariba. Should you have access issues with SAP Ariba, we encourage you to contact nsbs.nhsbusinessservices@nhs.net to obtain an alternative RFI format.
The deadline for response to this request for information is 1st July 2024 at 17:00 hours.
NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) reserves the right to withdraw this notice at any time. NHS SBS is not bound to accept any proposals submitted by Bidders and is not liable for any costs incurred as a result of Bidders engaging with this process. This early market engagement exercise does not guarantee that a Procurement will take place and NHS SBS reserves the right to defer from any Procurement entirely.
NHS SBS intends to hold market engagement sessions during July and August 2024 with industry experts and suppliers interested in potentially bidding for the resulting Framework/ Agreement.
NHS SBS will use an eSourcing system for any procurement activity taken subsequent to this PIN and reserves the right to use an electronic auction. The eSourcing system we will use is SAP Ariba.
Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a Framework Agreement if invited to do so.
The value in II.1.5 is an indicative value over 4 years from 1st October 2025.
The date in II.3) is the estimated date of publication, please monitor Find a Tender Service https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search for the publication of the relevant high value
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
22/05/2024