The Provision of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) For Residents Who Access Drug and Alcohol Services in the City of Sunderland Council Area

Location

Boundaries of the City of Sunderland

Description

A contract for provision of an Individual Placement and Support Services (IPS) for Residents who Access Drug and Alcohol Services in the City of Sunderland Council Area. The Sunderland IPS Scheme will be available to individuals of working age (16+), resident in the Sunderland area, who are engaged in structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol issues and are out of work. The 'structured treatment' can be provided by either a young person's community-based specialist substance use service; an adult's community-based specialist substance use service; or an 'all age' community-based specialist substance use service, (hereafter these services will be collectively referred to as 'specialist community drug and alcohol treatment services). The Scheme will provide bespoke 'packages' of support to assist service users into sustainable, paid employment.

Total Quantity or Scope

The Authority intends to award a contract for the Service to the existing provider pursuant to Direct Award Process C under Regulation 9 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 ("PSR"). This is a notice under Regulation 9 (3) of the Authority's intention to award the contract for the Service as described below to the existing provider. The contract is for the provision of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for residents who access drug and alcohol services in the city of Sunderland council area and will be available to individuals of working age (16+), resident in the Sunderland area, who are engaged in structured drug and/or alcohol treatment and are out of work. The 'structured treatment' can be provided by either a young person's community-based specialist substance use service; an adult's community based specialist substance use service; or an 'all age' community based specialist substance use service. … The Scheme will work flexibly across all the Sunderland area, ensuring equity of service provision, and adjusting delivery in response to any geographical changes in demand. The contract will run from the 8th June 2026 to the 31st March 2029. The lifetime value of the contract is estimated to be £590,256.80. The value of year 1 of the contract is £194,366.13 (pro-rata). Year 2 and Year 3 of the contract are subject to confirmation of public health funding from central government.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

Legal Justification

The Authority intends to award a contract for the Service to the existing provider pursuant to Direct Award Process C under Regulation 9 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 ("PSR").

Other Information

This is a notice under Regulation 9 (3) of the PSR of the Authority's intention to award the contract for the Service to the existing provider pursuant to Direct Award Process C. The award of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this proposed award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made in writing in accordance with Regulation 12 (3) of the PSR to the Authority before midnight on 04/06/2026 via email: issy.langley@sunderland.gov.uk The proposed contract period is for up to three years. Year 2 and Year 3 of the contract is subject to funding from the Funder. This is a notice under Regulation 9 (3) of the PSR of Sunderland City Council's intention to award the contract for the Service to the existing provider, Recovery Connections pursuant to Direct Award Process C of the PSR. The proposed contract is valued at £590,256.80 over a maximum of three years (08/06/2026 -31/03/20290). Year 2 and Year 3 of the contract is subject to funding from the Central Government. The proposed award of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 or Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this proposed award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made in writing in accordance with Regulation 12(3) to the Authority before 12 midnight on 04/06/2026 via email to: issy.langley@sunderland.gov.uk. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this is a notice under Regulation 9 (3) of PSR of the Authority's intention to award the proposed contract under Direct Award Process C. Decision maker: Executive Director of Public Health and Wellbeing, Sunderland City Council. No conflicts or potential conflicts of interest were declared. All basic selection criteria have been met. Recovery Connections has a stable organisational structure, sound financial standing and no identified issues, relating to performance, quality or contract compliance under the existing arrangement. Recovery Connection has consistency met national targets, delivered a good quality service and has shown the capacity and reliability to continue delivery under the new contract. The key criteria were weighted as follows: Quality and Innovation (25%) Value for Money (5%) Integration, Collaboration and Sustainability (35%) Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice (25%) Social Value (10%). Following assessment of the above key criteria, the existing provider scored 83% out of 100%. As a consequence, in light of the above, the Authority is of the view that the existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract to a sufficient standard for the purpose of Regulation 9 (2) of the PSR.