Find a TenderAwarded without competition
Published 17 Apr 2026, 15:43 BST

Official UK procurement notice

CP2684-25 Psychology Support into the STaR Drug Treatment and Recovery Service

Official notice

Authority: Devon County Council (Local council)

ServicesAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Awarded value£115,054published contract · exc. VAT
Awarded 17 Apr 2026no call for competition
Awarded to Real Life Psychology C.I.C.

What is being bought

Published requirement description

There is a national ambition to improve the treatment and recovery outcomes for rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping living with an alcohol or other drug dependency.

This has been supported by ring-fenced investment, confirmed annually, that is restricted to support individuals who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping within Exeter. In Exeter, there is now a collaboration of partners who have been contracted to operate as an alliance in principle (known as the STaR project) and, subject to ongoing funding being confirmed, that is expected to continue.

This particular service is required to deliver the psychological interventions component of the STaR project. The evidence-based psychological support must be accessible and appropriate both to service users directly and to other practitioners working within the STaR team.

The service will engage, support, treat and promote recovery of rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping in Exeter to access treatment for alcohol and other drug dependency and specifically to provide the workforce and service users with psychological support to improve the treatment and recovery outcomes. With the main aim being to improve the lives of these individuals, their friends, family and local communities, taking a team around the person approach.

CPV: Psychiatrist or psychologist services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1Awarded
Delivery: South West
Extensions: There is an option to extend the contract for a further 12 months (1st April 2027 - 31st March 2028).

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached
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
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
17 Apr 2026, 15:43 BST
Last source update
17 Apr 2026, 15:43 BST
Authority reference
DN811672
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-035329
Classification (CPV)
Psychiatrist or psychologist services
Delivery area
South West (UKK4)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-068599 Find a Tender
Why no open competition
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive
Published justification

This 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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 29th April 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Publisher note: This 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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 29th April 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Written representations should be sent to procurementpeople-mailbox@devon.gov.uk Award decisions have been recommended by Devon County Council's Public Health Commissioning team, with key decision makers being: Dominic Hudson - Head of Commissioning, Public Health Richard Merrifield - Senior Commissioning Manager, Public Health No conflicts of interest were declared. The rationale for the relative importance of the key criteria, and the rationale for choosing the provider with reference to the key criteria is explained below: Quality and innovation – 30%: The provider has met all service specification requirements to provide a range of therapy appointments and staff supervision sessions, and has regularly attended the STaR Senior Leadership Board (SLB) meetings. This has contributed towards an increase in STaR clients retaining their tenancies for longer periods of time. The provider is expected to continue to meet all requirements, further contributing to the success rates of the service. Value – 5%: The provider shows commitment to the wider STaR project by attending Senior Leadership Board meetings and making adaptations and efficiencies where appropriate, this has been evidenced by the number of sessions made available and flexibility to provide both drop ins and fixed appointments to assist with optimising accessibility to psychological interventions. The provider continues to submit timely and detailed invoices in line with the contractual value for the service delivered. It is expected that the provider will continue to contribute towards the need to make efficiencies and/or adaptations to the service delivery model based on the annual funding allocation to the STaR programme, to ensure the service can reach as many service users as possible. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability – 30%: The provider is delivering the psychological interventions required to meet the needs of both the service users of STaR and the wider workforce. The wider STaR project delivery involves other providers, and as such this provider is part of an integrated and collaborative offer. The STaR service collective is performing above the national average for retaining people in treatment. The provider is operating as part of the STaR model which is expected to continue as it is within its current form by collaborating with other providers to support those who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping in Exeter living with an alcohol or other drug dependency. This will be monitored by both retaining people in treatment and monitoring those making substantial progress, as well as ensuring engagement in the multiple agency referral meetings where appropriate. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice – 30%: The provider continues to report on the percentage of sessions which service users attend. All slots are consistently booked, and the rates of attendance are consistent with expectations, especially when considering the complex needs and associated challenges experienced by the service users. The STaR SLB will continue to review service outcomes and achievements to ensure the most vulnerable adults are accessing and benefitting from the offer. Social Value – 5%: The provider is well networked and through their attendance at STaR SLB meetings have helped make connections with academics and data experts to help enhance the data analyst and seek opportunities for further research linked to the STaR project. Through their involvement in the project they are also able to offer, create and recommend education and training packages that enhance the delivery and accessibility of the psychological aspects. This includes the development of the Brain Gym resources for people living with learning difficulties. The provider is expected to continually support the wider benefits to social value through this project. After carrying out the assessment, the Authority is satisfied that the existing provider is both: Satisfying the existing contract to a sufficient standard, according to the detail outlined in the existing contract, and taking into account the key criteria and applying the basic selection criteria. Able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard, according to the detail outlined in the new contract, taking into account key criteria and applying the basic selection criteria.

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £115,0541 contract exc. VAT
Bids received 1
Contracts signed 1latest 17 Apr 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Real Life Psychology C.I.C.SME£115,054 †—Awarded

Contracts

Bid statistics published by the authority

BidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1bids———

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Devon County Council

Contracting authorityLocal CouncilRegional or local authorityGeneral public services County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, South West, EX2 4QDContact name, email, phone

Dispute resolution & review bodies

  • Independent Patient Choice and Procurement PanelReview body London

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.