Expressions of Interest for Autism Services for NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire CCG

This is a call for expressions of interest without a further call for competition. In the event that a full procurement exercise is undertaken, that only those providers who respond to this Expressions of Interest (EOI) will be invited to tender.

NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) wishes to seek EOIs from suppliers interested in providing: (i) Autism Diagnosis & Assessment Services for (Lot 1), and/or (ii) Autism Support Services (Lot 2) both for adults and young people (16 years and over).

DETAILS ON HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST ARE IN SECTION 5 BELOW.

The CCG is considering letting one or more contracts for the above services for a period of 2 years with the option to extend for up to another 2 years at it's discretion. The CCG currently envisages the contract(s) will mobilise from the 1st April 2022 following a formal procurement exercise. (N.B.: all dates may be subject to change. The CCG also reserves the right to amend any proposed lotting strategy for any future procurement exercise.)

For further details relating to the two aforementioned services, please refer to the attachments section in the Expressions of Interest questionnaire (at MLCSU Bravo e-procurement portal: PQQ 500).

The CCG is inviting EOIs from providers with the capacity, capability and relevant experience in these services. Whilst the CCG has broadly identified what it requires, it has not yet established in detail how that should be best delivered, i.e., the Autism Support Services for Adults and Young People will be a new service for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire locality in a service area which is not well developed nationally. As a result, the CCG may consider arrangements which bring together providers and the local voluntary sector, e.g., a consortium or a lead provider arrangement.

The precise number of autistic people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire is not known as there is no formal 'register'. However, if it is estimated that 1% of the population is autistic, then there are approx 9,000 autistic people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The proposed services must be equally accessible to people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and must be responsive to local populations.

Interested providers are requested to fill in the questionnaire on the MLCSU e-Procurement portal (PQQ 500) and respond by 9.00am on Monday, 22nd Nov 2021. (See Section 5 .) The CCG reserves the right to reject EOIs that do not come in within this deadline and do not exhibit sufficient capability and relevant experience.

The CCG is proposing to hold a virtual Market Engagement Event on 9th Dec 2021 to discuss options and receive feedback on the feasibility of the scope and specification of the Autism Support Service. Further information will be made available about this event in due course. You may register your interest in attending this online event when registering your interest in the service provision.

Additional information: DETAILS ON HOW TO EXPRESS AN INTEREST: This Prior Information Notice has been advertised in Contracts Finder UK and Find a Tender Service. Interested providers are advised to register with MLCSU e-Procurement portal Bravo via the following link:

https://mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk

The relevant PQQ reference number for this is PQQ_500

To register interest and download the PQQ documentation you will need to follow these steps:

To register on the portal: https://mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk

• From the portal (NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Procurement services Portal Home Page, click the 'Click Here to Register' link. • Accept the terms & conditions for using the portal. • Complete your organisation & personal details. • Choose a memorable username and submit. • You will be sent an email with your unique password. • Search out PQQ_500

Correspondence and communication will only be dealt with through the Bravo website. For technical support in submitting your expression of interest contact the BravoSolution Help-desk.

"Light Touch Regime" services: This service is classified as clinical, the value of which comes under the Light Touch Regime services for the purpose of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 as specified in Schedule 3 of the Regulations ("Regulations"). The contracting authorities are not voluntarily following any other part of the Regulations. As the CCG is a relevant body for the purpose of the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No 2) Regulations 2013 these Regulations also apply to this procurement. All dates, time periods and values specified in this notice are provisional and the contracting authority reserves the right to change these. Transparency: The contracting authority is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) and may be required to disclose information received in the course of this service under FOIA or the EIR. In addition, and in accordance with the UK Government's policies on transparency. This service may be subject to possible redactions at the discretion of the contracting authority. Any redactions, whether in relation to information requests under FOIA, the EIR or policies on transparency will be in accordance with those grounds prescribed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Further information on transparency can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-and-contracting-transparency-requirements-guidance"