Provision of Specialised Therapy Services for Children with Neurological Disorders

Location

Mountain Ash

Description

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is acting on behalf of Hywel Dda University Health Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board, who together form a consortium for the procurement of neuro-disability therapy services for children and young people aged from birth to 19 years. This notice constitutes an Intention to Award Notice and confirms the Commissioner’s intention to award a contract following the application of Direct Award Process 2 under the Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations. Direct Award Process 2 has been identified as the most appropriate procurement route for this requirement, as the existing contract is due to expire and the Commissioner proposes to replace it with a new contract at the end of its current term. The proposed contractual arrangements do not represent a considerable change to the existing service, and the Commissioner is satisfied that the current provider is delivering the contract to an acceptable standard and is likely to meet the requirements of the proposed contract. Publication of this Intention to Award Notice commences the standstill period in accordance with the applicable regulations. The standstill period will end on the 19th June 2026. No contract will be entered into before the conclusion of the standstill period. The services are intended to be provided from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, with the option to extend for two further 12-month periods.

Total Quantity or Scope

The proposed service will deliver specialist therapy services for children and young people with neurological disabilities across the localities of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and Swansea Bay University Health Board. The service will provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy for the assessment, intervention, and management of children and young people with neuro-disabilities, including conditions such as cerebral palsy and acquired brain injury. Services will be delivered by HCPC-registered specialists with advanced expertise in neuro-disability care. The provider's facilities are fully accessible for children and young people with disabilities, provide a welcoming and family-friendly environment, and include resources and spaces designed to promote independence and support developmental goals. The contracting authority intends to award a contract to the existing provider, Cerebral Palsy Cymru, following Direct Award Process 2 under the Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations 2025. The existing provider has been assessed against the basic selection criteria and the five key criteria of quality, value, collaboration and service sustainability, improving access and reducing health inequalities, and social responsibility. The assessment concluded that the provider is currently delivering, and is likely to continue to deliver, services to the required standard and has the capacity, capability, governance arrangements, and professional competence necessary to perform the contract. The services are intended to be provided from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, with options to extend for: 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2028 and 1 July 2028 to 30 June 2029. Estimated Lifetime Value of the Proposed Contract The estimated lifetime value of the proposed contract, including all extension options, is 467,588.24 GBP The existing contract was awarded on 1 April 2023 for an initial three-year term. The estimated lifetime value of the existing contract at the time it was entered into was 459,843.00 GBP

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85142100 - Physiotherapy services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015/Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.

Other Information

The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision-makers via E-mail at keri.jones3@wales.nhs.uk. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under PSR Wales. Final award subject to approval by Welsh Government This is a Provider Selection Regime Wales (PSR Wales) intention to award notice. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by the end of the standstill period, which will be midnight at the end of day of 19th June . This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR Wales. Written representations during the standstill period should be submitted to - keri.jones3@wales.nhs.uk The award decision was made by the evaluation panel comprising of - Head of Commissioning - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board - Contracts Officer - Hywel Dda University Health Board - Commissioning and Contracting Manager - Swansea Bay University Health Board The contract is being awarded to Cerebral Palsy Cymru following Direct Award Process 2. Direct Award Process 2 was considered the most appropriate route because the existing contract is due to expire and the proposed contract will replace that contract without a considerable change to the service model. The commissioners are satisfied that the existing provider is meeting the requirements of the current contract and is likely to continue to satisfy the requirements of the proposed contract to a sufficient standard. The provider was assessed against the five key criteria prescribed by the Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations 2025. All criteria were considered important and were assessed using a pass/fail methodology. Particular importance was attached to quality, continuity of care, collaboration, and service sustainability, given the specialist nature of neuro-disability services for children and young people and the need to maintain established therapeutic relationships and consistent multidisciplinary support across the participating Health Boards. The assessment concluded that the provider has delivered, and is likely to continue to deliver: - Quality – high-quality services that meet the needs of children and young people with neurological disabilities. - Value – good value through an appropriate balance of cost, quality and patient outcomes. - Collaboration and Service Sustainability – collaborative and sustainable services that support continuity of care and improved health outcomes. - Improving Access and Reducing Health Inequalities – accessible services and equitable treatment for all eligible patients. - Social Responsibility – service provision that supports economic, social and environmental wellbeing in the delivery of patient care services. The provider also met all basic selection criteria relating to activity levels, insurance arrangements, clinical governance, technical and professional capability, and professional registration. The provider demonstrated the necessary capacity and capability to continue delivering specialist physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy services for children and young people with neuro-disabilities across the participating Health Boards. No actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest were declared by any individual involved in the decision-making process. (WA Ref:163996)