NHS E - Gender Dysphoria Services for Adults - Non Surgical Services

Lot 1 -Gender Dysphoria Clinics (adult services)

Lot 2 - National Trans Health Unit(s)

Lot 3 - Lead Gender Dysphoria Clinic for the Greater Manchester primary care pilot

NHS England is the direct commissioner of specialised health interventions for individuals with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. Services for the alleviation of gender dysphoria are prescribed specialised services.

NHS England intends to achieve a new 'future state' in response to concerns about the viability and sustainability of the current delivery model.

NHS England plans to achieve a future delivery and configuration of specialised services that are sustainable and offer an optimal model of care, characterised by timely and equitable access to the range of available interventions, consistent delivery models and excellent patient experience.

The key objectives and proposed benefits of the procurement are to create sufficient additional capacity to meet increasing demand by -

• Contracting for up to 9 organisations to act as Gender Dysphoria Clinics (adult services) to strengthen the current delivery model through specialised multi-disciplinary teams in designated clinics, trained and accredited to consistent standards, and all working to a new agreed specification [Gender Dysphoria Clinics (adult services)]

• Designate up to two Gender Dysphoria Clinics as Lead Providers to manage a national or supra-regional network of clinics [National Trans Health Units]

• Designate a Gender Dysphoria Clinic to support an extended delivery model that offers access to specialist interventions by trained healthcare professionals in primary care in Greater Manchester, to be piloted for evaluation. [Lead Gender Dysphoria Clinic for the Greater Manchester Trans Health Service]

To be considered as a National Trans Health Unit or the Lead Gender Dysphoria Clinic for the Greater Manchester Trans Health Service bidders must first be successful in their bid to be a Gender Dysphoria Clinic.

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Additional information: Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'current tenders' list on the e-procurement system In-Tend, available on the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home

Potential parties wishing to participate in this procurement must register and log in to In-tend to register interest and to complete the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Completed PQQs should arrive no later than 12pm on 8 May 2019.

Bidders should particularly note that the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage is being conducted simultaneously with the advert stage so the deadline for submission of completed PQQs is the same as the deadline for receipt of expressions of interest.

On registration, please include at least two contacts to allow for access to the system in times of absence.

The services are healthcare services and as such are not deemed to be subject to the full regime of current EU procurement legislation as such this tender will be conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime and governed by, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The procurement of services listed in Schedule 3 of the Regulations is not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but is instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations

The tendering process will be conducted in accordance with the requirements and flexibilities provided by Articles 74 to 76 of the Directive, and Regulations 74 to 76 of the Regulations. The Authority will run a transparent tender process, treating all Bidders equally. For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority will not be bound by the Regulations or the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union or any other regulations or legislation except for the specific parts or circumstances that apply to the procurement of these Services.

Neither the inclusion of a Bidder selection stage, nor the use of any language or terms found in the Directive or Regulations, nor the description of the procedure voluntarily adopted by the Authority ("Open", "Restricted", "Competitive Procedure with Negotiation", "Competitive Dialogue" or any other description), nor any other indication, shall be taken to mean that the Authority intends to hold itself bound by the Directive or Regulations, save by the provisions applicable to services coming within the scope of Annex XIV of the Directive / Schedule 3 of the Regulations.

The contracting authority intends to observe the provisions and 10 day standstill period described in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Unsuccessful Bidders and applicants will receive scores and reasons for the decision, including the characteristics and relative advantages of the winning bid and the reasons why the Bidder/applicant was unsuccessful. Deadlines for lodging appeals should be in accordance with the Regulations.