NHS England South (South West) - Procurement for the provision of Supervised Tooth Brushing Pilot for Devon

NHS England South West seeks expressions of interest from providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver a Supervised Tooth Brushing service for Devon to children who attend nursery (aged 3-4 years) in the final year before starting school and reception classes (aged 4-5 years), in the 50% most deprived areas (LSOAs) in Devon. The procurement is split into three lots so as to provide maximum flexibility to both the Commissioner and Bidders, these are:

Lot 1 - 'TQ' Postcode Schools & Nurseries Lot 2 - 'EX' & 'TA' Postcode Schools & Nurseries Lot 3 - 'PL' Postcode Schools & Nurseries

The Contract will be for a term of 2 years. Services are scheduled to commence on 01/09/2019. The Lots contract envelope per annum, exclusive of recoverable VAT is:

Lot 1 - 'TQ' Postcode Schools & Nurseries: £62,322.86 Lot 2 - 'EX' & 'TA' Postcode Schools & Nurseries: £146,175.42 Lot 3 - 'PL' Postcode Schools & Nurseries: £88,951.72

This gives a total contract value for the combined services of £594,900.00 if the full contract term is fulfilled.

The main objectives of the scheme are: -

• To enable children in nursery and reception classes to participate in supervised tooth brushing each day that they attend an eligible early years setting
• Supervised by suitably trained early years staff, the children will brush their own teeth
• Early years staff will be suitably trained and supported by oral health teams
• Training will be provide on-site and preparation of the scheme on site will be carried out by oral health teams
• Oral health teams will be appropriately trained and qualified to provide oral health and advice on infection control and to monitor on site delivery of the scheme
• Advice from a dental professional will be available at all times
• To issue additional home packs including a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and oral health information will be distributed to parents at the start of the school year.
• Information around the continuance of tooth brushing will be communicated to parents/carers at the start of the scheme and as the start of each extended holiday
• To provide parents with information about accessing a dental practice

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

In order to submit a bid, you will need to be registered on the e-procurement system and 'express an interest', and then complete a response as specified within the procurement documents.

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

The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are 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 (Regulations 74 to 77).

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.

Unsuccessful Bidders will receive scores and reasons for the decision, including the characteristics and relative advantages of the winning bid and the reasons why the Bidder/application was unsuccessful.