NHS England South East - Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in the South East of England

This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of NHS England South East's, (the Commissioner's), intention to recommission Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Services, in 2024. The Commissioner would like to understand the level of provider interest in delivering these services and in attending a potential virtual market briefing event.

NHS England South East (NHSE SE), the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioners (OPCCs) and Police Forces within the South East are seeking providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver SARC provision for both adults (18 years and over) and children (under 18 years).

The areas covered within the recommissioning exercise, and therefore likely Lots, alongside the indicative maximum contract values are:

Due to its geography, it is proposed that there will be two SARC premises in Thames Valley. For all other areas, one SARC premises is proposed.

The services within scope, include core SARC provision, primarily, SARC management, the provision of medical and forensic examinations - both acute and non-acute cases, crisis support and onward referral services for people who have experienced sexual assault. It should be noted that non-acute (historic) cases do not necessarily need to be undertaken at the (accredited) SARC site.

There is considerable variation in service provision across the SARCs, not only with regard to the age and needs of service users, but also in relation to activity, service specification, and referral pathways.

The recommissioning exercise will aim to increase equity of access and ensure a consistent and high standard of quality care to victims of sexual assault. The service will be delivered in line with current national standards, guidance and best practice, and at the same time meet the local needs of each Force area.

The Provider will ensure that the service is delivered in an age-appropriate way for children and adults; all staff must meet the skills and competences commensurate with the role they are performing. The service should consider Safeguarding, Health and Forensic requirements in line with current and relevant guidelines.

It is likely that Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services and therapeutic provision including counselling and talking therapies, will be out of scope. However, the SARC provider/s will work closely with these services and ensure service users are referred to onward provision as necessary.

The contract term is likely to commence on 1st April 2025 and will be fixed for a duration of 7 years.

TUPE is likely to apply.

Additional information: At this time, the Commissioner would like to determine the level of provider interest in delivering these services and appetite in attending a virtual market briefing event (in late March) which would provide further information on the commissioning and procurement strategy. If a briefing event is arranged (subject to the level of interest received), the details will be shared with those who express an interest and return a completed market sounding questionnaire.

If you are interested in these services, please register on the e-procurement system, Atamis (details below), and submit a completed market sounding questionnaire by 12 noon on 15th March 2024.

This notice is an information gathering exercise rather than a call for competition in its own right, and therefore publication or response does not commit the Authority or respondents to a future procurement, nor provide any process exemptions or preferential treatment to any parties expressing an interest. The Authority will not be liable for costs incurred by any interested party in participating in this exercise.

Interested providers will be able to view this opportunity via the live opportunities list on the 'Health Family' e-procurement system, Atamis. Click on 'View our Live Opportunities' from the home page, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

Once you have found the opportunity (via the search function, using the title or reference number), to gain full access to the relevant information and market sounding questionnaire, you will need to click on 'Register interest' - this will take you to the log-in page.

If you are not already registered on the system, you will need to do so before gaining full access to the documentation and to be able to submit your expression of interest / completed market sounding questionnaire using the messaging function within Atamis. Expressions of interest / completed questionnaires must be received by no later than 12 noon on 15th March 2024.

These services are healthcare services falling within the Health Care Services, (Provider Selection Regime) (PSR) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, (and the 'Light Touch Regime' contained therein), do not apply to these services and thus do not apply to this notice.

This exercise is being managed by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.