Request for Quotation for the Provision of Health & Social Care Needs Assessments (HSCNA) and Equality & Health Inequalities Impact Assessments (EHIA) into Health and Justice services across the South East to NHS England South East

NHS England South East (the Commissioner) sought to commission a Provider(s) with the capability and capacity to deliver Health & Social Care Needs Assessments (HSCNA) and Equality & Health Inequalities Impact Assessments (EHIA) into Health and Justice services across the South East.

NHS England health and Justice is required to complete HNAs and EHIAs regularly to:

• Ensure services meet the needs of specific populations in secure environments and communities.
• Support strategic goals aligned with government policy and partner organisations.
• Fulfil legal obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act 2010, section 149(1)) and health inequalities duties (NHS Act 2006, section 13G).

Two secure settings require updated assessments:

• Lansdowne Secure Children's Home: Closed for 10 months (2023-2024) and requires a full HNA and EHIA.
• HMPYOI Aylesbury: Reconfigured in 2022 from a Young Offender Institution to an adult Category C Trainer prison. A brief HNA was completed in 2023, but a comprehensive assessment is still needed.

Distinct approaches are required:

• Children's Home: Small population (typically 5-10 children aged 13-17), requiring a qualitative approach with interviews and consultations.
• HMPYOI Aylesbury: Larger population (~400 men), requiring a provider experienced in adult secure settings and capable of leveraging existing data.

This process was a below threshold Request for Quotation (RFQ), utilising a 3 quote process to ensure value for money. Three potential suppliers were invited to participate in the RFQ in a competitive procurement process.

The procurement was structured into 2 lots:

• Lot 1: Aylesbury
• Lot 2: Lansdowne

The awarded contracts have an initial term of 4 months. Services are anticipated to commence in December. The total awarded value is £14,500 per lot.

The services procured through this tender process were in accordance with the rules on regulated below-threshold contracts in sections 84 - 88 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).