DSD Medical Support Services

CPV: Administration, defence and social security services · Disability benefits · Health and social work services · IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support · Sickness benefits · Temporary disablement benefits

Procedure method

Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Legal basis

CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)

Procurement category

Services

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

Yes (GPA)

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

1 Jul 2021, 16:55 BST

Last source update

1 Jul 2021, 16:55 BST

Authority reference

Project 71

FTS notice number

2021/S 000-015124

Classification (CPV)

Administration, defence and social security servicesDisability benefitsHealth and social work servicesIT services: consulting, software development, Internet and supportSickness benefitsTemporary disablement benefits

Delivery area

Northern Ireland (UKN)

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-02c288 Find a Tender

Why no open competition

The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive

Published justification

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the Official Journal of the European Union in the cases listed below

• The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive

Explanation:

On 5 March 2020, DWP published a PIN signalling its intent to re-procure its Health and Disability Assessment Services contract for the provision of Work Capability Assessment services in England, Scotland and Wales. The Department for Communities agreed to join the procurement with Northern Ireland constituting a separate Lot. The re-procurement of the HDAS Contract was in accordance with Section 7 of the PCR 2015. However, the Covid-19 pandemic began impacting on the UK, in particular for the Department, impacting both the delivery of health assessment services, and the planned launch of the procurement. The continuation of the provision of services under the current contract over a period of 2 years has become necessary.

Regulation 72(1)(c) PCR allows:

(i) The need for modification has been brought about by circumstances which a “diligent contracting authority” could not have foreseen. Covid-19 is a unique event whose impact could not have been foreseen; and

(ii) The modification does not alter the overall nature of the contract; The services to be provided by the incumbent will remain consistent and there will be no alteration to the overall nature of the Contract, and.

(iii) The modification does not exceed 50 % of the original contract value.

The price to be paid for the extended period of the Contract does not exceed 50 % of the original value of the Contract, and

(iv) DfC will publish a Modification Notice pursuant to Regulation 72(3) of PCR. Please see Section VI.3 for additional information.

Publisher note: The impact of Covid-19 on health assessment services has been, and continues to be significant. DfC had to act quickly to implement a number of changes to service delivery, both to ensure the health and wellbeing of the public, its own employees and health assessment provider staff, and in response to the effect of the pandemic on the capacity of DfC and its assessment provider to deliver health assessment services. These changes included the temporary suspension of face to face assessments, and the introduction of telephony based assessments. The changes implemented to date, combined with the effect of two waves of the pandemic in the past year and the potential impacts of an impending third wave and possible further waves continue to be challenges to DfC’s efforts to stabilise the service in advance of any procurement. Given that Work Capability Assessments (WCA) undertaken as part of the Contract Services support critical statutory welfare benefits catering for vulnerable people, a gap in service provision is not an option. DfC has therefore concluded that extending the existing MSS Contract for up to 2 years is the best option for:. (i) stabilising Work Capability Assessment services,. (ii) ensuring a continuous service for these complex and vitally important services, which support delivery of statutory welfare benefits to vulnerable claimants each year and. (iii) allowing DfC to fully understand and evaluate the impacts of Covid-19 ahead of any future procurements or decisions on service delivery.. DfC will continue to implement steps to secure further efficiencies and service improvements in the way that the existing Contract is currently delivered and in particular throughout the extension period and will monitor performance in order to demonstrate value for money. DfC, partnering with DWP, intends to continue engaging with the market to discuss the future transition of Work Capability Assessment services and the future of health assessments more broadly. DfC will build in periodic reviews (4-6 monthly) to identify whether longer or shorter extensions than 24 months are needed..

• Atos Origin IT Services LtdAwarded supplier London, UKContact emailShow contact details

No document links were published on the notice.