Community Audiology Services AQP (Coventry & Warwickshire)

**PRIOR INFORMATION NOTICE**

This notice is to make the market aware of an upcoming procurement for an AQP Community Audiology Service for Coventry & Warwickshire. The procurement is scheduled to launch 14th September 2020.

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands CSU on behalf of NHS Warwickshire North CCG, NHS Coventry & Rugby CCG and NHS South Warwickshire CCG are looking to conduct an "Any Qualified Provider" process for suitably experienced and qualified providers of Community Audiology Services.

The commissioners wish to receive responses to the AQP from suitably qualified and experienced providers with the necessary capacity and capability (or a demonstrable ability to provide the necessary capacity and capability within the requisite timescale, which is notified to potential bidders in the invitation to tender (ITT)) to provide the range of Services as set out elsewhere in the ITT, in a safe and effective manner and subject to any conditions specified in the Contract or any tender documents issued in connection with the Procurement.

The contract will be for a period of 3 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years at the discretion of the commissioners. The successful provider(s) will be expected to be fully operational for providing services from 1st April 2021.

All providers who demonstrably meet the qualification criteria, agree to the proposed tariffs and agree to sign the NHS Standard Contract (which is provided with the tender documentation) will be awarded a contract. Providers are advised that the award of an AQP contract offers no guarantee of activity, and therefore no guarantee of income derived from the award of a contract can be offered.

Once the process is complete, the commissioners reserve the right, at their total and sole discretion, to open new windows on this process with the intention of awarding new contracts under this AQP. This may be to address access inequalities in certain areas (in which case the AQP process may be restricted to a particular area or areas) or to enhance patient choice across the areas to which this AQP process pertains. However, the CCGs may re-open windows for any reason of their choosing. Full details can be found in the tender documentation.