NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Framework (2018) Extension

The NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Frameworks are a procurement vehicle for providing healthcare planner services to NHSScotland Boards across the whole of Scotland. Lot 1 framework expires on 30/04/25 and Lot 2 framework expires on 05/09/25.

The current level of uncertainty in the future NHSScotland capital pipeline is resulting in a position of being unable to scope a successor arrangement to the current Healthcare Planner framework. There is no certainty in the type and scale of projects beyond the short term (1-2 years) focus on lower value backlog maintenance projects as part of the NHSScotland Business Continuity Planning With a replacement to the Frameworks Scotland 3 delivery model currently being scoped, any potential replacement Healthcare Planner framework will require to be linked to the final outcomes of this new construction delivery model. For example, if the new project delivery model seeks to adopt contract alliancing principles, this could result in the requirement of specific contract conditions for Healthcare Planner contracts being required which are yet unknown. Furthermore, this could result in appointment and delivery of the Healthcare Planner services moving to a more regional approach as opposed to the current national approach. The future requirements will not be able to be determined until the successor to Frameworks Scotland 3 strategy and recommendations are completed and approved. This is currently programmed for March 2026.

It is anticipated, that by extending the framework by up to a maximum period for 24 months, this will allow for greater clarity around future pipeline and service needs. This should enable a future procurement to have an increased level of pipeline certainty.

Due to the cancellation and pausing of projects over the last 9-12 months, combined with the reduction in activity during the pandemic between 2020-2022, the anticipated spend through Healthcare Planner framework lots has been significantly below the stated contract value within the published Contract Notice. It is therefore anticipated that any future call-off from the framework during the 24-month extension period, would still not exceed the original value in the Contract Notice. It is anticipated that the volume of activity will be limited by the current capital and financial constraints.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government are currently developing the Service Reform Framework which is due for publication later in 2025 and therefore it would be sensible to understand the outcomes and recommendations to be incorporated into any new Healthcare Planner framework replacement.

The proposed extension letters will state that any new successor arrangements will be used once these are in place, if this is prior to the expiry of the extension. Therefore, in the event of a significant change in the current and anticipated short term capital position and or service planning pipeline, a new procurement can commence to enable a new framework or contract arrangement to be put in place prior to expiry of the proposed extension to NHSScotland Healthcare Planner framework.

The justification for the framework extension shall be on the basis of Regulation 72 (1) (c).

A modification notice will be issued via Public Contract Scotland portal after the issue of the VEAT notice, confirming a modification to the existing contract under Regulation 72 (1) (c). The value referred to in this notice within sections II.1.7 and V.2.4 refers to the initial value of the original framework procurement which is not anticipated to be exceeded during the extension period.

The NHSScotland Healthcare Planner Frameworks are a procurement vehicle for providing healthcare planner services to NHSScotland Boards across the whole of Scotland. Lot 1 framework expires on 30/04/25 and Lot 2 framework expires on 05/09/25.

The current level of uncertainty in the future NHSScotland capital pipeline is resulting in a position of being unable to scope a successor arrangement to the current Healthcare Planner framework. There is no certainty in the type and scale of projects beyond the short term (1-2 years) focus on lower value backlog maintenance projects as part of the NHSScotland Business Continuity Planning With a replacement to the Frameworks Scotland 3 delivery model currently being scoped, any potential replacement Healthcare Planner framework will require to be linked to the final outcomes of this new construction delivery model. For example, if the new project delivery model seeks to adopt contract alliancing principles, this could result in the requirement of specific contract conditions for Healthcare Planner contracts being required which are yet unknown. Furthermore, this could result in appointment and delivery of the Healthcare Planner services moving to a more regional approach as opposed to the current national approach. The future requirements will not be able to be determined until the successor to Frameworks Scotland 3 strategy and recommendations are completed and approved. This is currently programmed for March 2026.

It is anticipated, that by extending the framework by up to a maximum period for 24 months, this will allow for greater clarity around future pipeline and service needs. This should enable a future procurement to have an increased level of pipeline certainty.

Due to the cancellation and pausing of projects over the last 9-12 months, combined with the reduction in activity during the pandemic between 2020-2022, the anticipated spend through Healthcare Planner framework lots has been significantly below the stated contract value within the published Contract Notice. It is therefore anticipated that any future call-off from the framework during the 24-month extension period, would still not exceed the original value in the Contract Notice. It is anticipated that the volume of activity will be limited by the current capital and financial constraints.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government are currently developing the Service Reform Framework which is due for publication later in 2025 and therefore it would be sensible to understand the outcomes and recommendations to be incorporated into any new Healthcare Planner framework replacement.

The proposed extension letters will state that any new successor arrangements will be used once these are in place, if this is prior to the expiry of the extension. Therefore, in the event of a significant change in the current and anticipated short term capital position and or service planning pipeline, a new procurement can commence to enable a new framework or contract arrangement to be put in place prior to expiry of the proposed extension to NHSScotland Healthcare Planner framework.

The justification for the framework extension shall be on the basis of Regulation 72 (1) (c).

A modification notice will be issued via Public Contract Scotland portal after the issue of the VEAT notice, confirming a modification to the existing contract under Regulation 72 (1) (c). The value referred to in this notice within sections II.1.7 and V.2.4 refers to the initial value of the original framework procurement which is not anticipated to be exceeded during the extension period.