NHS England - SPECIALISED SURGICAL SERVICES: GENDER DYSPHORIA MASCULINISING GENITAL PATHWAY

NHS England seek bids from providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver specialised surgical services (genitals) for patients with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and who are on the masculinising pathway.

Successful Bidders will hold a single contract with NHS England, and services under that contract will be available to individuals eligible for NHS-funded care who are ordinarily resident in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - or otherwise who are the commissioning responsibility of the NHS in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - and who meet the various eligibility criteria described in the Commissioner's Service Specification.

The NHS pathway of care for adults with gender dysphoria will differ according to the individual's goals. The envisaged adult pathway may typically be summarised as:

• Referral to a specialist gender dysphoria service that is commissioned by the NHS • Assessment for gender dysphoria, and diagnosis • Individuals who meet the criteria for diagnosis of gender dysphoria are accepted on to the NHS care pathway and an individual treatment plan is agreed between the individual and their lead clinician in the NHS gender dysphoria service • Certain therapeutic interventions are delivered by the NHS gender dysphoria service; and / or referral for interventions with other providers; which may include recommendations to primary care for prescribing endocrine treatments • NHS gender dysphoria service makes a referral for surgical interventions of the chest and genitals if criteria are met via a National Referral Support Service • Ongoing review and monitoring during and after interventions • Conclusion of contact: discharge by NHS gender dysphoria service to primary care

The approach for improving the surgical market is focused on establishing a flexible contract that facilitates patient choice based on a consideration of reliable data including new quality indicators. No volumes are guaranteed on the award of a contract. Contracts will be awarded to all providers who meet the minimum standard criteria.

This tendering process will consist of two stages: (1) Stage 1 will entail Bidders expressing their interest and providing evidence of their capability and capacity in relation to the service requirements. The aim of this shortlisting stage is predominantly to test the capability and capacity of potential providers for this specialist service; (2) Stage 2 will either be: (a) for providers who currently hold a NHS contract for prescribed specialised surgical services - an assurance process assessing their capability to deliver the surgical element of the female to male pathway; or (b) for providers who do not currently hold a NHS contract for prescribed specialised surgical services - an assurance process assessing all aspects of surgical delivery and ongoing care for patients with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Additional information: The Assurance Process will be a collaborative and flexible, evidence-based approach to securing the delivery of the services. Evidence will be assessed against critical success factors and expected minimum standards".

Contracts will be for an initial term of 5 years with a possible extension of any period up to a further 2 years as defined and at the discretion of the Commissioner.

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

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 is 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 the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 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 may observe a voluntary award decision notices provisions and 10 day standstill period described in Regulation 86 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 appea