Tier 4 Bariatrics Service - Lancashire, South Cumbria, Merseyside

NHS Midlands & Lancashire CSU were working as agents, supporting the ICBs (see Section VI), with this procurement exercise. All communications relating to this ITT were communicated via the CSU's procurement portal mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk (Jaggaer/Bravo Solutions). The procurement was ran on the Bravo Solution Portal via project_837 - Tier 4 Bariatrics Service- Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside.

This was separated into two lots, with a set of common questions: Common Questions (ITT 886) to be completed with the additional questions for Lot 1 and/or Lot 2. Lot 1 - Lancashire and South Cumbria (ITT 887) Lot 2 - Merseyside (ITT 888) The procurement of the Tier 4 Bariatric Service was originally planned to take place in 2020. However due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the procurement was delayed, and the interim arrangements were extended.

Due to patient choice, the commissioner was unable to guarantee any activity for any of the successful providers so the was no guaranteed financial value relating to the contracts. However, the Indicative Financial Cost Envelope for Lancashire & Cumbria (based on 100% activity) was PS1,401,139 per annum (at 2021/22 tariff prices). 5 years total (PS7,005,695), with an option to extend for a further 2 years (PS2,802,278) gives a total indicative contract value for Lot 1 of PS9,807,973.

The Indicative Financial Cost Envelope for Merseyside (not including the previous Cheshire CCG) (based on 100% activity) was PS1,865,210 per annum (at 2021/22 tariff prices). 5 years total would be PS9,326,050, with an option to extended for a further 2 years (PS3,730,420) gives a total indicative contract value for Lot 2 of PS13,056,470. The total possible amount for both lots was PS22,864,443.

The contract was for 5 years with an option to extend for 2 years. The ICB were originally looking to award to a maximum of 2 providers for each lot, one of which needed to be an NHS Acute Provider. The highest scoring NHS Acute Provider for each lot was to be recommended as a successful bidder.

Secondary, the highest scoring bidder, whether this is another bidder from the NHS Acute sector or another bidder from the Independent Sector, were also to be recommended as a successful bidder. This lotting strategy and approach to awarding contracts was to ensure market stability which was always a key objective of this project and to ensure the availability of critical care facilities (provided by an NHS Acute Provider) as part of the Bariatric Emergency Pathway. The award of contracts to the recommended Bidders at the final stages of the procurement process were contingent on the Contracting Authority securing an NHS Acute Provider willing to provide the Emergency Provision as one of the recommended Bidders.

The cost of the Bariatric Emergency Pathway will be covered outside of the contract arrangements for elective activity. The activity in relation to the Emergency Pathway is expected to be minimal. Bidders were permitted to bid for one or both lots.

As part of the multi-lot tender, there were a number of common questions which were required to be completed once only (Common ITT 886) and then the lot specific questions, were only to be completed once for each of the lots the providers were bidding for (Lot 1 ITT 887 and/or Lot 2 ITT 888). There was to be a maximum of 4 providers across both lots. Candidates wishing to be considered were invited to register their expression of interest & provide additional procurement-specific information (by registering on the Bravo portal).

Candidates should register on the portal at mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk (mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk) (registration and use of the website is free of charge).