Expressions of Interest for Autism Services for NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group

This is a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) without a further call for competition. In the event that a full procurement exercise is undertaken, that only those providers who respond to this EOI will be invited to tender.

NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) wishes to seek EOIs from suppliers interested in providing:

• (i)Autism Assessment and Diagnosis Service for Young People and Adults (16 Years and over) (Lot 1), and/or
• (ii)Autism Support Services for Young People and Adults (16 years old and over) (Lot 2).

The CCG is considering letting one or more contracts for the above services for a period of 2 years with the option to extend for up to another 2 years at it's discretion. The CCG currently envisages the contract(s) will mobilise from the 1st April 2022 following a formal procurement exercise. (N.B.: all dates may be subject to change). The CCG reserves the right to amend any proposed lotting strategy for any future procurement exercise.

For further details relating to the two aforementioned services, please refer to the attachments section in the Expressions of Interest questionnaire (at MLCSU Bravo e-procurement portal: PQQ 500).

The CCG is inviting expressions of interest from providers with the capacity, capability and relevant experience in these services. Whilst the CCG has broadly identified what it requires, it has not yet established in detail how that should be best delivered, i.e., the Autism Support Services for Young People and Adults (16 years old and over) will be a new service for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire locality in a service area which is not well developed nationally. As a result, the CCG may consider arrangements which bring together providers and the local voluntary sector, e.g., a consortium or a lead provider arrangement.

The precise number of autistic people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire is not known as there is no formal ‘register’. However, if it is estimated that 1% of the population is autistic, then there are approximately 9,000 autistic people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The proposed services must be equally accessible to people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and must be responsive to local populations.

Genuinely interested providers are requested to fill in the questionnaire on this MLCSU e-Procurement portal (PQQ 500) and respond by 09.00am on Monday 22nd November 2021. The CCG reserves the right to reject expressions of interest that do not come in within this deadline and do not exhibit sufficient capability and relevant experience.

The CCG will be holding a virtual Market Engagement Event on 9th December 2021 to discuss options and receive feedback on the feasibility of the scope and specification of the Autism Support Services for Young People and Adults (16 years old and over). Further information will be made available about this event in due course. You may register your interest in attending this online event when completing the questionnaire (PQQ 500).