NHS Somerset ICB - Young People's Mental Health Digital Support Service

Location

Bridgwater

Description

This is an Intention to Award Notice to award a contract using the Direct award C process under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations for NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the provision of the Young People's Mental Health Digital Support Service. Digital mental health support forms an important part of Somerset's children and young people's mental health system, providing an accessible early intervention offer alongside school-based, community and specialist services. It offers a low-threshold route for children and young people who may be reluctant to access traditional face-to-face support, particularly in a large rural county. The current contract for digital mental health and emotional wellbeing support is due to end on 31st December 2026. To maintain continuity of support while ensuring the future model reflects local need, a time-limited direct award is proposed, followed by a defined period of engagement with children and young people. This engagement will inform a subsequent competitive procurement for a refreshed service model. This approach supports fair and transparent commissioning while ensuring that future service design is informed by lived experience rather than assumptions or historic delivery models. Expected Outcomes Through this approach, the expected outcomes are: Continued access to digital mental health support for children and young people with no gap in provision. Improved understanding of what children and young people want and value from a digital offer. A clearer, CYP-informed service specification with outcomes and quality measures that reflect local need. Improved alignment of the digital offer with schools, MHSTs, CAMHS and VCSE provision. Reduced risk of commissioning a service that does not meet the needs of children and young people. Demonstrable evidence of participation and co production to support SEND inspection and wider assurance requirements. The contract period is 1st January 2027-31st March 2027. The total combined contract value is £49,157.18 The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight 18th June 2026. This exercise was carried out by NHS Somerset Integrated care board, supported by NHS South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW), along with the publication of this notice. This contract had not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under PSR.

Total Quantity or Scope

NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the provision of the Young People's Mental Health Digital Support Service. Direct Award C has been used for the award of this contract. The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract. The services provided are the service specification are not changing considerably. … The current contract for digital mental health and emotional well being support is due to end on 31st December 2026. To maintain continuity of support while ensuring the future model reflects local need, a time-limited direct award is proposed, followed by a defined period of engagement with children and young people. This engagement will inform a subsequent competitive procurement for a refreshed service model. This approach supports fair and transparent commissioning while ensuring that future service design is informed by lived experience rather than assumptions or historic delivery models.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding 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 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 18th June 2026 (8 working days following publication of intention to award notice). This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Other Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding 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 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 18th June 2026 (8 working days following publication of intention to award notice). This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR. The existing provider was assessed against the below 5 key criteria of PSR, which were all weighted evenly and used the below assessment matrix: Key Criteria 1. Quality and Innovation 2. Value 3. Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability 4. Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice 5. Social value Assessment Matrix • Where a provider has scored a "Not Assured" for one or more sections, they will not be awarded the contract. • Where a provider has scored "Conditionally Assured" for one or more sections, the ICB will consider the extent to which the partial assurance affects the overall delivery, and will ensure action plans are in place prior to contract finalisation. • Where a provider has scored "Assured" for all sections, the contract can be awarded. Potential conflicts of interest: The SCW procurement team supported the project in the management of conflicts throughout the process. In line with national guidance (Managing conflicts of interest: revised statutory guidance for CCGs 2017) conflicts of interest were given a high priority within the procurement, with 'conflicts of interest' a standing item at project group meetings. Project members were required to complete Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality forms prior to receiving any sensitive documentation. All conflicts were appropriately managed within the project, and there are no latent risks associated with the aforementioned conflicts. The number of conflicts of interest identified among group: 0. Decision Makers; The decision was approved in line with Somerset Integrated Care Board's Scheme of Reservation and Delegation by the Contract Oversight Group (COG) and Finance Committee. For the purposes of where written representations are needed to be sent, please do so via the following email address: angelamortley@nhs.net This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding 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 and The Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 18th June 2026 (8 working days following publication of intention to award notice). This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.