Expressions of Interest for Autism Services for NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire CCG

This is a call for expressions of interest without a further call for competition.

In the event that a full procurement exercise is undertaken, that only those providers who respond to this Expressions of Interest (EOI) will be invited to tender.

NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) wishes to seek EOIs from suppliers interested in providing: (i) Autism Diagnosis & Assessment Services for (Lot 1), and/or (ii) Autism Support Services (Lot 2) both for adults and young people (16 years and over).

DETAILS ON HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST ARE IN SECTION 5 BELOW.

The CCG is considering letting one or more contracts for the above services for a period of 2 years with the option to extend for up to another 2 years at it's discretion.

The CCG currently envisages the contract(s) will mobilise from the 1st April 2022 following a formal procurement exercise. (N.B.: all dates may be subject to change.

The CCG also reserves the right to amend any proposed lotting strategy for any future procurement exercise.) For further details relating to the two aforementioned services, please refer to the attachments section in the Expressions of Interest questionnaire (at MLCSU Bravo e-procurement portal: PQQ 500).

The CCG is inviting EOIs from providers with the capacity, capability and relevant experience in these services.

Whilst the CCG has broadly identified what it requires, it has not yet established in detail how that should be best delivered, i.e., the Autism Support Services for Adults and Young People will be a new service for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire locality in a service area which is not well developed nationally.

As a result, the CCG may consider arrangements which bring together providers and the local voluntary sector, e.g., a consortium or a lead provider arrangement.

The precise number of autistic people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire is not known as there is no formal 'register'.

However, if it is estimated that 1% of the population is autistic, then there are approx 9,000 autistic people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The proposed services must be equally accessible to people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and must be responsive to local populations.

Interested providers are requested to fill in the questionnaire on the MLCSU e-Procurement portal (PQQ 500) and respond by 9.00am on Monday, 22nd Nov 2021. (See Section 5 .) The CCG reserves the right to reject EOIs that do not come in within this deadline and do not exhibit sufficient capability and relevant experience.

The CCG is proposing to hold a virtual Market Engagement Event on 9th Dec 2021 to discuss options and receive feedback on the feasibility of the scope and specification of the Autism Support Service.

Further information will be made available about this event in due course.

You may register your interest in attending this online event when registering your interest in the service provision.