Bridging Contract for Digital Patient Engagement and Inbound Communication Services Across Surrey and Sussex

Location

Description

Description of the Contract NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) intends to make a time limited direct award for digital patient engagement, inbound communication and access related services to maintain continuity across primary care during organisational transition and while requirements for a future procurement are finalised. The contract will ensure continuity of established services and enable the Authority to collate and review outcomes from live test bed activity to support the development of an evidence based specification for a subsequent competitive procurement. This direct award is explicitly a bridging arrangement and does not represent a commitment to long term supply. Contract Duration Term: Up to 24 months Purpose: Bridging arrangement to support continuity, test bed evaluation and requirements finalisation There is no automatic extension beyond this period. Estimated Contract Value £3.1m total - £1.55m (excluding VAT) PA for a maximum of 24 months, reflecting the limited scope and duration of the bridging arrangement only. This contract is anticipated to be enacted under the newly formed merged organisation, NHS Surrey & Sussex Integrated Care Board. No conflicts of interest have arisen during the decision making process.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• None found

Legal Justification

The Authority considers that the conditions for a direct award under section 41 and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 are met, and that this contract is strictly necessary and proportionate, due to: • The requirement for additional or repeat services that are the same as or compatible with existing provisions, where a change of supplier at this stage would risk disproportionate technical and operational difficulties; and • The statutory merger forming NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB, which is restricting operational and commercial bandwidth, combined with ongoing test bed activity that has not yet produced a sufficiently evidenced specification for immediate competition. The scope and duration of the direct award are limited to what is strictly necessary to maintain continuity and enable preparation for competition.

Other Information

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