Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2019-05-21
Buyer: The NHS Commissioning Board
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 85100000: Health services
Estimated value: 15000000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2019-06-28
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: Independent investigation services framework for the NHS with scope to cover various service types which have been divided into 5 lots: Individual Expert Investigations, Partnership Investigations, Local Care System Investigations, Health and Social Care and Partners Investigations and Systematic Independent Investigations. Contract award beneath the framework will be placed via mini-competition or direct award.
The services being procured under the framework are for health services and are subject to the requirements of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) Chapter 3, Particular Procurement Regimes, Section 7 Social and other specific services.
Bidders will also have the opportunity to apply to join the Framework Agreement on an annual basis. Bidders who are already on the Framework Agreement have the opportunity to apply for further lots if they so wish on an annual basis. Bidders who are unsuccessful are not precluded from re-applying during subsequent rounds.
Investigation likely to be within local system/single service/limited stakeholders/peer review. Additional support to health sector organisation/independent from system.
Individual expert supporting a provider/service to undertake an in-house investigation. Supporting organisations/systems to undertake a specific investigation in response to an incident/developmental needs/independent chairing.
The NHS is creating a framework for independent investigation services that meets the technical and geographic requirements for the NHS. It is the NHS's intention to place a flexible and responsive framework to enable the NHS to comply with the NHS serious incident framework.
May 2024 — for commencement of contract on 1.11.2024 (dependent on extension of Framework Agreement);
May 2025 — for commencement of contract on 1.11.2025 (dependent on extension of Framework Agreement).
The services to which this procurement relates fall within Schedule 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (the “Regulations”). As such, the procurement of the services is being run as a bespoke, open process procedure, involving the completion of a qualification questionnaire to qualify for acceptance onto the Framework Agreement. If the criteria for acceptance to the framework contract is met or exceeded bidders may be asked to participate in Mini-competitions for contracts for lots in which they have been successful or may be subject to the direct award of a contract.
The Contracting Authorities do not intend to hold themselves bound by any of the regulations, save those applicable to Schedule 3 services. Further information on service scope, lot descriptions, activities and outcomes are contained within the procurement documentation. Please note that the deadline for QQ responses is 12:00 noon on 14.6.2019.
Attain is conducting this procurement exercise as agent for and on behalf of the Contracting Authority (the NHS) and in partnership with East of England Collaborative Procurement Hub (EoECPH). Under no circumstances should bidders approach the NHS directly.
The Contracting Authorities and Attain are not and shall not be liable for any costs by those expressing an interest or concern for this contract opportunity. The Contracting Authority reserve the right at all times acting in their absolute discretion, not to award a contract, to make changes to the structure, format, procedures, CPV codes and timing of the procurement process and to cancel or vary the process in its entirety or any part of it. The most economically advantageous or any tender will not be automatically accepted. It is anticipated that the contract award decision will be made after 10.9.2019 (though these timings may be subject to change).
The contract will be for an initial 48 months (indicative contract value for 48 months is 10 000 000 GBP), with the option to extend for a further 24 months (indicative contract value for 60 months is 15 000 000 GBP).
Review of local system or local pathway in partnership with other statutory partner organisations. Single Panel Expert independent to the system/desk top review.
An investigation undertaken in partnership with other statutory investigations, including but not limited to a domestic homicide review, serious case review of a significant incident/occurrence.


Award value: 15000000