Smokefree Sefton - Stop Smoking Service

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice in line with the Competitive Process. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight on Thursday 24th September 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

The Council has conducted this procurement in accordance with The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (Regulation 11, Competitive Process). Sefton Council's tendering portal, The Chest (www.the-chest.org.uk ↗) has been used for this tender process. The reference number for this tender on the portal is DN817096.

Description of the relevant health care services:

CPV Code: 85323000 - Community health services / 85100000 - Health services

Sefton Council is looking to appoint a Provider to deliver a comprehensive Stop Smoking Service that supports individuals to quit tobacco use and prevents the uptake of smoking.

The service will run for a period of 4 years from the 1st of April 2027, with the option to extend for a further 4 years (plus 2 years, followed by plus 1 year), subject to evidence of satisfactory ongoing performance and value for money.

The estimated lifetime value of the contract including extensions is £4,931,268 and a breakdown per year is provided in section 12, pages 37 and 38 of the service specification. The Council has a fixed budget for this contract. Tender evaluation will be carried out on the basis of quality, social value and presentation / interview.

Award decision-makers: The Cabinet Members of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Reasons for selecting the chosen provider:

Basic selection criteria were applied to the tenders on a pass / fail basis with the successful provider achieving a pass.

The award criteria were split into the following sections:

• Quality questions 75%
• Social value 10%
• Price 0% - Fixed price contract
• Presentation and interview 15%

The assessment of the remaining tender response in relation to the award criteria was undertaken by a panel of members with expertise in public health and overseen by the Council’s procurement department. The successful provider achieved an overall score of 67%.

No conflicts of Interest were declared Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice in line with the Competitive Process. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight on Thursday 24th September 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.