NHS Dorset ICB - Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) Discharges, enhanced priority, HDU, and 'on-the-day' activity

NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board (Dorset ICB) are seeking the provision of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) for Discharges, enhanced priority, HDU, and 'on-the-day' activity.

The service is to be responsive and organised to meet people's needs. This includes service planning and delivery to meet the requirements of local people and their individual needs in accessing care and treatment flow in a timely way.

Health systems suffer alongside Service Users if transport is delayed: o Creating disruption and unnecessary cost. o Holding back the use of beds for others who need them. o Undermining a Service User's continued recovery and wellbeing during discharge.

The NEPT Service promotes access to healthcare provision through an NHS funded transport service for those patients registered with a GP in NHS Dorset meeting the eligibility criteria as set down by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Including vulnerable people by reason of mental health or learning disability, children, and eligible escorts.

It is therefore a requirement that journeys must comply with eligibility/access criteria contained within the Service Specification and the NHS Dorset Eligibility Criteria Framework Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS). As such, a Service User's need will determine the required vehicle, crew, and any escort/s. Full details including specification, activity, scope and requirements can be found within the procurement documentation.

The Contract will be for an initial term of 5 years, with an option to extend for any period up to a further 2 years, as defined and at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. Services are scheduled to commence on 27th April 2024. The budget is £1,623,566 inclusive of VAT per annum which would give a total contract value of £11,364,961 inclusive of VAT, over 7 years if the full contract term is fulfilled.

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Additional information: Interested providers will be able to view this opportunity via the live opportunities list on the 'Health Family' e-procurement system, Atamis. Click on 'View our Live Opportunities' from the home page, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

Once you have found the opportunity (via the search function, using the title or reference number), to gain full access to the bid documentation (including questionnaires), you will need to click on 'Register interest' - this will take you to the log-in page.

If you are not already registered on the system, you will need to do so before gaining full access to the documentation and be able to submit a bid.

The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations but are instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).

The tendering process will be conducted in accordance with the requirements and flexibilities provided by Articles 74 to 76 of the Directive, and Regulations 74 to 76 of the Regulations. The Authority will run a transparent tender process, treating all Bidders equally. For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority will not be bound by the Regulations or any other regulations or legislation except for the specific parts or circumstances that apply to the procurement of these Services.

Neither the inclusion of a Bidder selection stage, nor the use of any language or terms found in the Directive or Regulations, nor the description of the procedure voluntarily adopted by the Authority ("Open", "Restricted", "Competitive Procedure with Negotiation", "Competitive Dialogue" or any other description), nor any other indication, shall be taken to mean that the Authority intends to hold itself bound by the Directive or Regulations, save by the provisions applicable to services coming within the scope of Annex XIV of the Directive / Schedule 3 of the Regulations.

The Contracting Authority intends to voluntarily observe the award decision notices provisions and 10-day standstill period described in Regulation 87 of the Regulations. Unsuccessful Bidders will receive scores and reasons for the decision, including the characteristics and relative advantages of the winning bid and the reasons why the Bidder/application was unsuccessful. Deadline for lodging of appeals should be in accordance with Regulation 87 and Regulation 91 of the Regulations