NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit Support Service Accreditation Scheme - Window 6

Please note: this is not a tender process, this is a request for interested parties to join an accreditation scheme; NHS Midlands & Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit (MLCSU) has secured a place on all lots of the Health Systems Support Framework (HSSF) (previously known as the ACS & STP Development Partner Framework), having scored highly for all ten lots within the framework. The expected duration of the HSSF is 4 years.

Following this success, MLCSU is continuing to look for a diverse and innovative set of preferred subcontractors to supplement its resources in partnership to fulfil the needs of the HSSF. STPs and ICSs are able to buy some, or all, of their support from one or more suppliers on the HSSF. If STPs and ICSs wish to procure services from the HSSF (i.e., to "call-off"), they can only do this where the services are included in the scope of the HSSF and they award call-off contracts based on evaluation criteria set out in the framework. NHSE has ensured that the HSSF covers a full range of support services that STPs and ICSs may wish to buy, and test criteria which STPs and ICSs would want to test.

MLSCU is looking for suppliers to act as subcontractors who will contribute and enhance MLCSU's products and service portfolios to fulfil the needs of the HSSF. In order to become an accredited MLCSU preferred subcontractor, suppliers will need to clearly demonstrate their willingness and capability to: • provide value-added services in connection with the DPF; • provide both innovative and effective solutions that further develops service and patient outcomes throughout STPs and ACS and seek for continual improvement. • positively support MLCSU with their bidding process for future call-off contracts issued under DPF. • quickly mobilise their products and services in collaboration with the MLCSU in response to any new call off opportunities. • be fully committed, transparent and consistent in their approach to providing effective solutions and resourcing and pricing of their products and services for the duration of the DPF. • enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MLCSU. • provide clear evidence of their financial standing that meets MLCSU minimum requirements. • willingness to adopt public sector codes of practice and values e.g. social responsibility, and governance. • commence within 60 days of receipt of application. Interested suppliers should note that achieving accreditation does not constitute a guarantee of any volume or spend by NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit. Furthermore, the above Contract Start date is subject to change; the commencement of any contract between MLCSU and an accredited sub-contractor will depend upon the specific requirements of the MLCSU.

Additional information: Should you wish to express your interest in becoming a preferred subcontractor of MLCSU under this initiative, then please register on the MLCSU Bravo Solutions portal, https://mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml, and access MLCSU Support Services Accreditation Scheme 'Window 6' (Project Ref: 654 /open-access PQQ Ref: 489). You will need to complete the questionnaire in line with the described methodology and full details of the support services under this framework. This accreditation process will open on 18th December 2020, with submissions to be returned no later than 17:00 hours on Friday, 22nd January 2021. However, MLCSU will accept submissions before the closure date of 22nd January 2021 and may evaluate these at any stage during the window of opening the procurement exercise to the closure date.

Where a provider fails an element of the accreditation scheme they will be offered relevant feedback and may be able to resubmit their application at a future time. Accreditations will be reviewed within 28 days of being received by MLCSU through the Bravo Solutions ePortal - https://mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml.