Environmental Control (EC) Services for Patients with Complex Disability (Lot 1: Norfolk and Suffolk; Lot 2: Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Bedfordshire (excluding Luton))

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU), on behalf of NHS England Specialised Commissioning - East of England (referred to as the Commissioner), is inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to respond to this invitation to tender for the provision of Environmental Control (EC) Services for Patients with Complex Disability (Lot 1: Norfolk and Suffolk; Lot 2: Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Bedfordshire (excluding Luton)).

The services are expected to commence by 1st April 2025.

As a result of this procurement exercise an agreement will be established with the successful bidder(s) for a period of 5 years with the Commissioners having the option to extend for up to an additional 2 years (maximum contract duration 7 years).

The deadline for ITT submissions is 12.00pm (noon) on Wednesday 26th June 2024.

LOT 1 services are to cover patients residing in the following Integrated Care Board (ICB) areas:

• Norfolk and Waveney ICB
• Suffolk (Part of NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB)

The total estimated contract value is £3,879,617 (based on 2024/25 values and Inclusive of VAT).

LOT 2 services are to cover patients residing in the following Integrated Care Board (ICB) areas:

• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB
• Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire (Part of Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes ICB)

The total estimated contract value is £3,001,810 (based on 2024/25 values and Inclusive of VAT)

Providers wishing to be considered for the delivery of these services will need to respond to the provider selection documentation and submit responses prior to the deadline stated in this notice.

The ITT documentation including a questionnaire is available through the Atamis (Health Family) portal: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

The reference is C193142 and the closing date for completed ITT responses is 12:00pm (noon), on Wednesday 26th June 2024.

To express interest and participate in the tender, please register and apply via Atamis esourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

Should Tenderers have any queries, or having problems using the portal, they should contact Helpdesk at: Phone: 0800 9956035 E-mail: support-health@atamis.co.uk

Additional information:

Environmental Control provision promotes independence, safety and quality of life. It is a means of providing a person with a disability, the ability to participate in every-day activities: domestic, social and in the workplace. Reducing dependency on others for routine tasks provides greater autonomy to the individual, assists in managing risks and may reduce support costs. It can also have a positive impact on the wellbeing of carers and family members.

The service is to be available to persons of all ages, diversities, medical conditions (acquired or congenital) and place of residence (independent living, with family, residential care, nursing home), who have a severe disability, which restricts their ability to independently operate standard means for control of the environment and access to computer technology.

Specifically, the EC service aims to:

• provide relevant EC equipment to adults and children with complex physical disabilities, due to variety of medical conditions, in order to improve their independence, quality of life, safety and participation,
• participate with the provision of other Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) such as communication aids, powered wheelchair controls and other equipment of daily living, where this is appropriate,
• collaborate with other clinical services and social agencies to optimise patient's wellbeing,
• ensure that patients and carers are well informed on the use of the equipment that has been loaned to them,
• adapt equipment provision to meet the changing needs of the patient,
• provide the service in an independent, unbiased, cost effective and accountable way,
• ensure all staff within the service are trained to an adequate and relevant level of competency, including awareness of technological developments,
• promote the development and application of EC and other relevant EAT products,
• promote equitable provision of service across the population and diagnostic groups, developing and maintaining a care pathway for referral and provision in conjunction with local community services,
• support primary and secondary care staff by offering them specialist professional advice and training,
• collaborate with national initiatives to develop and improve service provision.