Provision of Autism Support Advice and Inclusion Service across NW London

NHS North West London Integrated Care Board (the "Authority") issued an Invitation to Tender ("ITT") in connection with the competitive procurement for the Provision of Autism Support Advice and Inclusion Service across North West London.

The Authority currently commissions a local voluntary sector provider to deliver a peer-led support, advice and signposting service for autistic people aged 14 and over without a learning disability living in NW London.

One of the key features of this service is that it is delivered by people with lived experience of autism and has been shaped, delivered, tested, and evaluated by the autistic people, and families who use it.

The service will provide direct face-to-face and virtual support to autistic adults delivered as 1:1 and group sessions and deliver group sessions to young people aged 14 to 17 years.

It will also offer specialist training and advice to families, employers and health, social care, and education providers to improve autism awareness and acceptance within communities and the wider system.

An Early Engagement Notice was issued in February 2023, thereafter an Open Procedure was run from March to May 2023.

This procurement process was subject to the so-called light touch regime as set out in regulations 74-76 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("PCR") as the procurement concerned health services which are social and other specific services according to the PCR.

Following tender submissions and the evaluation thereof, it was recommended that the contract be awarded to Centre for ADHD & Autism Support (CAAS).

A mobilisation period of 1 month will be applied prior to the commencement of the contract.