Notice of Intention to make an award under the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) process -Local Stop Smoking Service & Support Grant (LSSSSG) Smoking Cessation Service

Liverpool City Council was seeking a provider via the Most Suitable Provider process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 to enhance current stop smoking and support provision. Description of Service and Initiative: The Office of Health Inequalities and Disparities (OHID) has allocated funding through the Local Stop Smoking Services & Support Grant (LSSSSG) to local authorities in England for stop smoking services and support over a 5 year period. The grant supports the government's commitment to create a smoke-free generation and is specifically to enhance smoking cessation support in Liverpool and to increase the number of smokers setting a date to quit smoking. The purpose of the LSSSG is to deliver the government ambitions regarding a smokefree generation through supporting existing smokers to quit. The investment is to increase access to evidence-based behavioural support to quit and to provide targeted support to people more likely to smoke, to reduce health inequalities. The finding comes with increased ambitions for the numbers of people quitting smoking set by OHID. This additional investment should not replace activity delivered as part of the core public health grant or NHS Long Term Plan. It is intended to be used by local authorities to deliver more or enhanced stop smoking support provision. The funding can support building capacity to support smokers to quit and increase referrals. from a range of settings, such as primary care or mental health services. The funding cannot be used for tobacco enforcement activity. Liverpool City Council is now intending to award a contract to the most suitable provider (following the aforementioned Most Suitable Process) to deliver a service which achieves these objectives. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Notice of Intention to make an award. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this contract. This is a Notice of Intention to make an award and is being published in line with Regulation 12 - under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime - PSR) Regulations 2023. The Most Suitable Provider Process was used to commission this service and award contract. This will be published for 8 calendar days as per the requirements of the Provider Selection Regime 2023 - ending midnight 28th July 2025 The contract is for a period of 3 years with the option to extend for a further 8 months commencing on 01 August 2025 at a contract value of PS1,450,821 excluding VAT for the initial 3 year term plus option to extend for 8 months at a value of PS322,400 This a new service, with an existing provider.