Decision

To approve the award of the contract for the Provision of an Integrated Sexual Health Service to Provider A for an initial term of 5 years with an initial total contract value of £12,903,060.00. There is also an extension provision in the contract of up to a further 2 years in periods of up to 12 months at a time, at a value of £2,866,116.00 (extension year 1) and £2,968,836.00 (extension year 2). The potential total overall contract value therefore being £18,738,012.00.

Reasons for the decision

Provision of specialist ISH services is one of the prescribed Public Health functions under the Public Health Grant conditions. Local authorities are legally mandated to provide comprehensive sexual health services under the Local Authorities (Public Health Functions and Entry to Premises by Local Healthwatch Representatives) Regulations 2013 which require local authorities to provide or make arrangements to secure the provision of open access sexual health services for everyone present in their area covering:

• free sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and treatment, and notification of sexual partners of infected persons; and
• free contraception, and reasonable access to all methods of contraception.

Sexual Health Services (including the provision of contraception and sexually transmitted infections testing and treatment) are prescribed functions under the Public Health Grant conditions.

The procurement of this service is essential to fulfilling this statutory duty and ensuring the ongoing provision of sexual health services in compliance with national guidelines and standards.

Delegation of authority was previously approved for Bracknell Forest Executive Director of Place to award the contract to the successful bidder on behalf of the three (3) Berkshire East boroughs (Bracknell Forest, RBWM and Slough).

Provider A scored 77% overall. Provider A was the only bidder.

Following evaluation of the Quality, Pricing and Social Value scores and subsequent moderation process, the Most Advantageous Tender was offered by Provider A and as such are the Provider recommended for award of the contract subject to approvals.

Provider A scored 32% on Quality. As Provider A was the only bidder and supplied compliant responses, they scored full marks for Social Value (5%). Provider A therefore scored 37% on Quality and Social value, achieving above the threshold set by the Council and thus demonstrating they can meet the Council’s requirements to a satisfactory standard.

Provider A submitted a pricing schedule as per instructions and within the financial cap set and therefore scored full marks for Pricing (40%).

Alternative options considered

Option 1: To not award the ISH service to Provider A. This approach would not be favourable as this will result in the Berkshire East councils (Bracknell Forest, RBWM, and Slough) not fulfilling their statutory duty to provide open access sexual health services.