Level 2 Endodontic Services

NHS England (London Region) (hereafter referred to as "The Authority") invites Expressions of Interest (EoIs) and completed Invitation to Tender (ITT) submissions from all suitable providers, who are capable of delivering Level 2 Endodontic Services in London.

The NHS England document "Securing Excellence in Commissioning NHS Dental Services" (February 2013) referenced the need for the commissioning of care pathways which would be underpinned by the nationally-defined Levels of Complexity.

The purpose of this procurement is two-fold: to commission a Level 2 endodontic service which offers patients a consistent pathway throughout the London Region and to alleviate 18-week Referral to Treatment pressures in London secondary care (hospital) settings. Triaging arrangements for the new service will be via the London secondary care restorative providers, ensuring full consultant-led (Levels 3a / 3b) oversight of the referrals process.

The Authority intends to commission these services through 14 contracts (14 Lots) situated within the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) footprint within the London Region.

Details of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that relate to the Level 2 endodontic service are details within the service specification. In addition to this, the NHS England (London Region) proposed Accreditation of Level 2 Performers is also detailed within the service specification.

Contracts will be awarded for an initial period of four (4) years, with an optional extension for a further one (1) year. Therefore, the maximum duration of this contract, if the extension option is taken up it will be five (5) years. The contractual framework for the Level 2 endodontic service will be the national Personal Dental Services (PDS) agreement.

Additional information: The Procurement process will be facilitated entirely online via The Authority's e-procurement portal (ProContract). Interested Applicants wishing to participate in the procurement must register, express an interest by 12:00 Noon - Thursday 12th July 2018. Failure to complete this important step will mean that you will not be able to submit a bid for this procurement.

Bidders are required to complete the online questionnaires hosted on the portal prior to the deadline for submission of 12:00 Noon - Friday 13th July 2018. All clarification requests and correspondence pertaining to this ITT opportunity must be directed through the portal. A timetable for the procurement, guidance re: process, and supplementary information relating to each contract opportunity is also available from the portal.

This Tender process is being managed by NEL Commissioning Support Unit (NEL) on behalf of The Authority in connection with a competitive procurement exercise that is being conducted in accordance with a process based on the Open Procedure under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations" (as amended)). The services to which this Procurement relates fall within the "Light Touch Regime" (LTR) governing procurement of Health, Social, Education and Other service contracts. Neither the reference to "Open Procedure", "ITT", "PQQ / SQ", the use of the term "Tender process", nor any other indication shall be taken to mean that the Contracting Authority intends to hold itself bound to any of the Regulations, save those applicable to LTR provisions.

Bidders are also to note that information relating to this procurement is provided in good faith, and may be subject to amendment by The Authority.

The Contracting Authority reserves the right not to award the contract.