Contract for the provision of GP Information Technology Support Services to South Region on behalf of NHS South Central and West (SCW)

CPV: Computer support services

Procedure method

Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Legal basis

CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)

Procurement category

Services

Notice status

Awarded without competition

Procurement threshold

Unspecified in notice

Regulatory regime

Standard

Commercial structure

Stand-alone contract (no framework)

Competition type

Direct award (no call for competition)

GPA / WTO covered

Unspecified in notice

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

22 Jul 2022, 16:57 BST

Last source update

22 Jul 2022, 16:57 BST

Authority reference

1284

FTS notice number

2022/S 000-020060

Classification (CPV)

Computer support services

Delivery area

UK

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-035504 Find a Tender

Why no open competition

New works/services, constituting a repetition of existing works/services and ordered in accordance with the strict conditions stated in the directive

Published justification

Due to historic circumstance, what was North East Hampshire & Farnham CCG and Surrey Heath CCG (now combined into a single Frimley CCG along with East Berkshire CCG) continue to share a common infrastructure with NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG and NHS Portsmouth CCG (maintained by a third-party organisation, Healthcare Computing Limited). The ability for SCW to provide end-to-end support for Frimley CCG is constrained by the fact that two of the three historic Frimley CCGs are connected to this 3rd party infrastructure.

The extension of existing services will enable Frimley CCG/ICB to recover from the demands of COVID19, put in place a common infrastructure to support the provision of care and migrate to SCW as the sole provider of GPIT support services. This will provide the CCG/ICB the time required to make an informed decision and commitment to the future arrangements for GPIT support.

Frimley CCG has not agreed a service specification or a commitment to undertake a full re-procurement exercise for the services covered by this STA request. It would take a considerable amount time (minimum three months) to agree a service specification for an ITT and a further six to nine months to tender, evaluate and procure a new service provider. There would also be an additional 3 months required to safely transition services across from the incumbent supplier and ensure minimum disruption to clinical delivery.

Procurement fully support this request on the basis that it is a risk based decision that ensures continuity of operational services during a critical time for front line services. It ensures that future value for money is maximised on the basis that a more established understanding of the future direction of the service and technical roadmap can be defined

With the delay in confirmation about the future of Frimley CCG this has significantly impacted on the original timelines SCW had expected to complete the migration of services. Although work is underway and SCW are fully engaged with the CCG to progress, there is insufficient time to successful develop a robust specification, appraise the marketplace and establish an interim solution. Mobilisation of a new supplier would involve significant technical input and resources to establish the necessary processes and infrastructure required to deliver the service, with no ability to justify or recover any form of investment as it would only be a short-term engagement.

Healthcare Computing are also the appointed GPIT support provider for HIOW and directly support the current shared infrastructure, which removes any further complications to the existing contractually relationships and associated liability.

With the technical constraints and barriers for any new suppliers to come through and establish the necessary processes within the short term, we are looking to extend existing services in accordance with section 32 of the Public Contract Regulation; Use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication. Specifically, General grounds (2)(b)(ii) which states: competition is absent for technical reasons.

• HEALTHCARE COMPUTING LIMITEDAwarded supplier Unit 10 Millstream Trading Estate Christchurch Road, Ringwood, South East, BH24 3SB

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