Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
THE COLONNADES, BEACONSFIELD CLOSE
HATFIELD
AL10 8YE
UK
Contact person: Bailie Curtis
Telephone: +44 7855963658
E-mail: bailie.curtis@nhs.net
NUTS: UKH23
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
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
HPFT - Adult Acute Inpatient Service
Reference number: C393861
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85110000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Trust Overview<br/>Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) supports people with mental ill health, learning disabilities and autism across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Essex.<br/>HPFT (“The Authority”) wishes to secure additional CQC registered adult acute mental health inpatient beds within the Hertfordshire region.<br/><br/>Service Overview<br/>The aim of this service is to provide additional adult (generally 18-65 with some older adults with functional mental health needs) acute mental health inpatient capacity through a flexible model that accommodates both male and female service users. This provision will supplement HPFT’s existing inpatient capacity and align closely with the Trust’s current inpatient offer, ensuring an inclusive, responsive, least restrictive and recovery focused service.<br/><br/>The service will deliver high-quality, therapeutic care that supports service users to achieve stability and return to their usual settings as soon as clinically appropriate. Providers are expected to maintain reasonable lengths of stay, proactively plan for discharge, and work collaboratively with community and crisis teams to enable timely transitions back into the community.<br/><br/>Providers must embed least restrictive principles into all care and treatment, ensuring that any use of enhanced observations is purposeful, person centered, and regularly reviewed. Routine oversight should be applied to any enhanced observation to ensure interventions remain proportionate, safe, and supportive.<br/><br/>The service should be delivered in a manner that ensures value for money, balancing high-quality care with efficient use of resources. This includes strong clinical governance, effective workforce management, and collaboration with HPFT to maximize outcomes for service users while maintaining cost-effectiveness.<br/><br/>The additional capacity will be made available through a combination of block and spot purchase arrangements, providing flexibility to meet fluctuating demand and support local population needs.<br/><br/>Service Objectives<br/>Promote Recovery and Timely Discharge<br/>•Deliver care and treatment that supports recovery and enables service users to return to their usual setting as soon as clinically appropriate.<br/>•Maintain a clear focus on reducing length of stay through proactive discharge planning and close collaboration with community and crisis services.<br/><br/>Provide Safe, Quality, Therapeutic Care<br/>•Ensure all inpatient environments and care practices meet statutory, regulatory, and quality standards, delivering treatment that is safe, compassionate, and effective.<br/>•Provide care in settings that are therapeutic and recovery oriented<br/>Reduce Restrictive Practice<br/>•Commit to minimising restrictive interventions and enhanced observations, ensuring these are only used when clinically justified, for the shortest possible duration, and regularly reviewed. <br/>•Participate in routine reviews or queries for any service user subject to cumulative enhanced observation (1:1 or higher) exceeding 14 days, to ensure operations are safe and supportive. <br/><br/>Collaborate on Flow and Capacity Management<br/>•Work in partnership with HPFT to maintain effective patient flow, including timely reviews of bed availability, discharge planning, and special observations.<br/>•Participate in regular operational meetings to support shared oversight of capacity, quality, and performance.<br/><br/>Coproduced, Person-Centred Care<br/>•Embed least restrictive principles throughout all care and decision-making processes, ensuring respect for choice, dignity, and autonomy.<br/>•Provide evidence of active service user and carer involvement in care planning and discharge processes.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
19 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85110000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKH
Main site or place of performance:
Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Trust is issuing this Prior Information Notice (PIN) to engage with potential suppliers capable of delivering the service described in the attached documentation.<br/><br/>The procurement process will be conducted in accordance with the Provider Selection Regime (PSR).<br/><br/>Suppliers are invited to review the Pre-Market Engagement Pack, which outlines the Trust’s service requirements, and to provide an Expression of Interest (EOI) if they are able to meet the requirements in full.<br/><br/>Key Dates and Instructions:<br/><br/>Deadline to OPT IN: Friday, 7th November 5:00pm<br/><br/>Supplier Presentation Day: Monday, 17th November 2025<br/><br/>Submission Method: All responses, including Expressions of Interest, must be submitted via the Atamis Portal.<br/><br/>Queries: Any questions or requests for clarification must also be directed through the Atamis Portal.<br/><br/>If you wish to OPT IN, please ensure your intention is clearly communicated via the Atamis Portal before the stated deadline.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
28/10/2025
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
The Pre Market Engagement will run via the Atamis portal: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome <br/><br/>•Suppliers should register on the portal if not already registered.<br/>•To express an interest in this preliminary market engagement, search and select contract reference: C393861 HPFT – Adult Acute Inpatient Service.<br/>•Suppliers can contact the Atamis helpdesk at – support.health@atamis.co.uk or by calling 0800 9956035 for technical assistance.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
28/10/2025