Breastfeeding Support Service

Location

Dorchester

Description

he service to be provided for under this contract is the Breastfeeding Support Service.This notice is an intention to award a contract under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Most Suitable Provider process. The approximate lifetime value of the contract will be £57,017.This is an new ServiceThis is a new ProviderThe contract term will be 12 months from 01 August 2026 (estimated start date)

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

Awarded under Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Most Suitable Provider process

Other Information

his 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 Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight on Monday 13 July 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.Representations should be sent to: dorsetprocurement@nhsdorset.nhs.ukThe decision to award this contract was made by relevant decision makers under the organisation's Standing Financial Instructions. No declarations of interest were identified or made during the award process.A weighted evaluation model was applied reflecting the primacy of service quality and patient outcomes. Technical & Quality was given the highest weighting (65%), with particular emphasis on service model, staffing, governance, and ability to deliver integrated hospital-to-community support. Price (25%) ensured affordability within the funding envelope, and Social Value (10%) reflected the importance of reducing inequalities and delivering wider community benefits. Providers were also required to meet mandatory pass/fail criteria to ensure compliance with core contractual, operational, and safety requirements.The Breastfeeding Network were the only bidder and achieved a high overall score and met all mandatory requirements. They demonstrated a strong, well-evidenced service model aligned to the highest-weighted criteria, including robust staffing, effective integration with existing services, and clear governance and reporting arrangements. In addition, it offered a compliant cost and a credible social value proposition.On this basis, the Authority concluded that The Breastfeeding Network is the most suitable provider, offering an overall balance of quality, value for money, and wider system benefit.