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Find a TenderAwarded without competitionContract details notice
Published 1 Dec 2025, 16:34 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Direct Payment Support Services (AACC)

Official notice

Authority: NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (Central government)·On behalf of: NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (hosted by NHS England)

Direct award
Sectors: Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: South East (UKJ2)
Awarded value£303,062published award · exc. VAT
Awarded 12 Nov 2025no call for competition
Awarded to Independent Lives (Disability)

What is being bought

Published requirement description

This contract provides person-centred support to individuals managing Direct Payments or Personal Health Budgets for employing Personal Assistants (PA). Services include tailored guidance, budgeting assistance, legal and employment advice, and provision of customisable templates such as contracts and job descriptions. Ensuring data protection compliance and promotes safe recruitment practices, including DBS checks and eligibility verification. To support PA training, dispute resolution, and access to additional services like payroll and insurance. It facilitates recruitment through its PA Pages platform and works collaboratively to shape local policy. The service is to be flexible, accessible, and committed to continuous improvement and innovation in Direct Payment support.

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1Awarded
Delivery: South East
79000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Direct award
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Notice status
Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
1 Dec 2025, 16:34 GMT
Last source update
20 Mar 2026, 14:21 GMT
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-025825
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Delivery area
South East (UKJ2)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ec4a Find a Tender
Why no open competition
Switching Direct Award
Published justification

Extreme and unavoidable urgency.

To ensure continuity of essential services-including access to funds, payroll, employment support, and mandatory PA training-a full procurement exercise is not feasible within the limited timeframe available. The ICB proposes engaging Independent Lives under a temporary arrangement to take on clients and expand coverage across Sussex.

This service was expanded from West Sussex to include new clients from East Sussex and Brighton and Hove areas from 1 October 25.

This interim solution will remain in place for 26 months, allowing time to align service specifications, complete market engagement, and respond to strategic changes including the merger of Surrey and Sussex ICBs.

This waiver is necessary to maintain service continuity, safeguard vulnerable individuals, and ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities during a period of transition and strategic review.

How it was run

Official notice
Submission deadline
—

Timeline

24 Dec 2025 → 20 Mar 2026 · 2 dates
  1. Standstill ends301 days ago
    24 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
  2. Notice published216 days ago
    20 Mar 2026, 14:21 GMT

Notice history

4 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 1 Dec 2025
  1. Transparency notice published
    1 Dec 2025, 16:34 GMT
    UK5
  2. Contract award notice published
    15 Dec 2025, 10:15 GMT
    UK6
  3. Contract signature expected
    1 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled
  4. Contract details notice published
    20 Mar 2026, 14:21 GMT
    UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £303,0621 award exc. VAT
Contracts signed 1latest 13 Feb 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Independent Lives (Disability)13 Feb 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028Extensions: The contract may be extended for a further 12 month period until 31st March 2028 subject to the Provider's good performance and the continuation of the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board's business need.£303,06212 Nov 2025Awarded

Contracts

  • Direct Payment Support Services (AACC) · Independent Lives (Disability)

    Signed
    13 Feb 2026
    Value
    £303,062
    Period
    13 Feb 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 · up to 31 Mar 2028 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    The contract may be extended for a further 12 month period until 31st March 2028 subject to the Provider's good performance and the continuation of the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board's business need.

    No agreed KPIs: The contract value is less than £5 million.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

3 public bodies on the notice

NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central government GB-PPON: PVDX-6283-RPQJ Sackville House, Brooks Close, Lewes, South East, BN7 2FZContact email

Other public bodies

Bidders & participating suppliers

2 commercial parties on the notice
  • INDEPENDENT LIVES (DISABILITY)Awarded supplierGB-COH: 08654797GB-PPON: PYMV-6266-DMZZ Southfield House, Worthing, South East, BN11 1RYContact email
  • Independent Lives (Disability)Awarded supplierGB-CHC: 115381 Ground Floor, Southfield House, 11 Liverpool Gardens, Worthing, South East, BN11 1RYContact email

Official documents & specifications (3)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender