Planning

Functional Assessment Services (FAS)- Prior Information Notice

DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Apr 2021 at 09:04

Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Work and Pensions is planning to procure Functional Assessment Services (FAS) contracts starting from 1st August 2023, aimed at facilitating functional health assessments across England and Wales. This initiative falls under the health and social work services industry category, focusing on assessments for benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, and Personal Independence Payment. The planned procurement notice was published on 12th April 2021, and interested parties can expect further details, including the structure of geographical lots, to be shared by 4th June 2021. Contracts will ultimately have confirmed durations and values, which are still under discussion.

This procurement represents a significant opportunity for SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSE) that specialise in health assessment services. The new contract will enable businesses to support the welfare of vulnerable individuals by delivering functional health evaluations, allowing them to compete for contracts that enhance their service portfolios. Companies with experience in health services, welfare benefits assessments, or those looking to expand into new geographical areas will find this tender particularly advantageous for growth.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Functional Assessment Services (FAS)- Prior Information Notice

Notice Description

The Department intends to procure Functional Assessment Service (FAS) contracts from 1st August 2023, to provide functional health assessments through a single supplier in each geographical Lot. Functional health assessment providers support the payment of welfare benefits to some of the most vulnerable in our society. Functional health assessments currently assess eligibility for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit (UC) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP); focusing on needs arising from a condition rather than the condition itself. These assessments are only one part of the evidence that the DWP Decision Maker will consider and decisions on assessment criteria and benefit entitlement will rest with the DWP Decision Maker alone on behalf of the Secretary of State. PIP is a DWP benefit intended to compensate for some of the extra costs of those who have long term ill-health or disabilities. It is available to people whether they are in work, training, education or not, it is tax-free and is not means tested. PIP also acts as a gateway to other benefits and support in both DWP administered benefits. Most notably, additional premia in ESA or Carer's Allowance and also wider services, including the Motability scheme and Local Authority services, such as the Blue Badge Scheme. Approximately 900,000 assessments are carried out annually under the current PIP contract (data from 2017/18). Work Capability Assessments (WCA) currently assess eligibility for ESA and UC. A smaller number of other assessments assess eligibility to a range of benefits delivered by DWP and other Government Departments. Approximately 1 million WCA and a minimum of 100,000 other assessments are carried out annually under the current Health Disability Assessment Services (HDAS) contract (data from 2017/18). HDAS and PIP assessment services are currently delivered through separate contracts by separate suppliers. FAS will deliver both assessment services through one contract with a single supplier, in each geographical Lot. DWP will procure a Functional Assessment Service across England and Wales. We are currently working with colleagues in the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland to understand their future commercial requirements. We will be procuring Work Capability Assessments and some other assessments in Scotland, the Scottish government will take responsibility for administering a replacement for PIP assessments from 2022. We anticipate the use of geographical Lotting and will share further details on the structure of these Lots at a later date. Contract length and value will be confirmed in due course. Our current working assumption is that DWP will provide IT Digital Services (through a managed service), this approach is to be confirmed in due course. DWP's approach to the provision of Estate will be confirmed in due course. Supplier Event Details Please see attached word document for details of our upcoming Virtual Supplier Even.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-6e7a3dd1-0df6-4893-9cb7-8112a64db400
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/20419fa6-23df-4e5a-810b-c379ddf3bfae
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Apr 20214 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
4 Jun 2021Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2023 - 2 Aug 2023 30 days
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S1 2FD
Post Town
Sheffield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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