Clinical Reviewers Framework

NHS England (hereafter referred to as "The Authority") invites completed Invitation to Tender (ITT) submissions from all suitable providers capable of delivering clinical reviews when a death in custody within London's secure estate occurs.   

From 1 April 2019, NHS England and NHS Improvement are working together as a new single organisation to better support the NHS to deliver improved care for patients. Further information regarding the role and purpose of NHS England and NHS Improvement is available from this url: https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/about-nhs-england/

The purpose of this procurement is to establish a framework of independent clinical review providers that The Authority can draw down on when a death in custody requires a clinical review to be conducted - one part of a wider Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigation and a delegated duty from the Secretary of State.   

The framework is divided into two Lots: 

Lot 1 - bidders can bid to be the lead provider of a clinical review, outlining the details of lead clinical reviewers who can conduct all three levels of clinical review.  Bidders also have the option of listing team reviewers from their organisation who can support their lead reviewers with subject matter expertise.  

Lot 2 - bidders can bid to join a pool of team reviewers capable of supporting lead reviewers with subject matter expertise.  Team reviewers will be appointed when a lead provider does not have access to the required subject matter expertise to complete a review. 

A maximum of five providers will be commissioned for Lot 1, with no limit to the number of providers for Lot 2. 

Further details of the lotting structure and award process can be found within the ITT guidance document and further details of the service to be delivered within the Service Specification. 

Providers will be listed on the framework for a period of four years. 

The total estimated contract value stated for this framework for independent clinical reviewers into Deaths in Custody or Detention is a projected total annual contract value of between £80,000 and £170,000. Please note, annual usage of this framework agreement will vary depending on the number of deaths in each year. This would be the total amount paid in a year to all Clinical Reviewers who undertake work under the Framework and not the total sum that may be expected by a single provider of Clinical Reviews.

It is expected that the total maximum value for the framework agreement will be no more than £650,000.

Additional information: The Procurement process will be facilitated entirely online via The Authority's e-procurement portal (ProContract).

Interested Applicants wishing to participate in the procurement must register and express an interest by 12:00 Noon - Tuesday 27 October 2020. Failure to complete this important step will mean that you will not be able to submit a bid for this procurement.

Bidders are required to complete the online questionnaires and submit their tender bid hosted on the portal prior to the deadline for submission of 12:00 Noon - Wednesday 28 October 2020.  

All clarification requests and correspondence pertaining to this ITT opportunity must be directed through the portal.  

A timetable for the procurement, guidance regarding: process, and supplementary information relating to each contract opportunity is also available from the portal. 

The Procurement process is being managed by NEL Commissioning Support Unit, (NEL) on behalf of the Authority, in connection with a competitive procurement exercise that is being conducted in accordance of The National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No. 2) Regulations 2013.

The contract value of this procurement is under the threshold for 'Light Touch Regime services' (Health, Social and related services listed under Schedule 3 of Public Contracts Regulations 2015).

This procurement seeks to establish a multi supplier framework agreement.

Bidders are also to note that information relating to this procurement is provided in good faith, and may be subject to amendment by The Authority. 

The Contracting Authority reserves the right not to award the contract.