Dorset Sexual Assault and Abuse Therapy Service

NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) South West (the Commissioner) seeks a Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a Sexual Assault and Abuse Therapy service for individuals in Dorset.

Aims and objectives of the Dorset Sexual Assault and Abuse Therapy Service: • The service should offer a range of trauma-informed therapeutic interventions for children and adults of all genders who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. • Services for adults should prioritise those who have been assaulted within the last 12 months. • Services for children and young people, up to the age of 18 years, should be open to people who have been abused at any time. • Services for carers and families should be open to those supporting children and young people who are accessing the service. • Services should be available and equipped to work with people living with complex trauma. • Services should be available and accessible for people living anywhere in Dorset. • Services should be delivered both face-to-face and remotely, according to service user preference. • Services should be delivered individually or in groups where appropriate. • Clear escalation processes and referral pathways through the mental health pathway should be in place, to respond to the varying and changing needs of service users. • The Provider should have a comprehensive understanding of both statutory and voluntary sector therapeutic/ mental health provision and where their service fits into the integrated pathway. • Services should respond to the needs of people with protected characteristics, be culturally sensitive and offer reasonable adjustments where indicated. • Services should have a core objective of inclusivity and will encourage engagement with under-represented groups.

The contract term will be for 7 years, with an annual value of £134,000 and a total maximum contract value of £938,000.

The new contract is due to commence on 1st October 2022. Please note that dates are subject to change.

Bidders are directed to the specification(s) provided with this opportunity for full details of the programme's objectives and requirements.

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 notice via the 'current tenders' list on the e-procurement system In-Tend, available on the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home

In order to submit a bid, you will need to be registered on the e-procurement system and 'express an interest', and then complete a response as specified within the procurement documents.

On registration, please include at least two contacts to allow for access to the system in times of absence.

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 notice provisions and 10 day standstill period described in Regulation 86 of the Regulations.