Award

Direct Payment Support Services (AACC)

NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

01 Dec 2025 at 16:34

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board has completed the award stage of a direct award procurement process for "Direct Payment Support Services (AACC)" in the healthcare services industry. The procurement aims to provide essential support to individuals managing Direct Payments or Personal Health Budgets and is located across Sussex, UK, including East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. The contract is set to be undertaken by Independent Lives (Disability), commencing on 13 February 2026 and concluding on 31 March 2027, with a potential extension to 31 March 2028, subject to provider performance. The procurement method was a direct award to ensure service continuity amid strategic changes and was deemed urgent to align with regulatory compliance. This contract ensures strategic improvements during the transitional phase involving the merger of Surrey and Sussex ICBs. The transaction's gross value is £363,673.94, with the standstill period expiring on 11 December 2025.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in healthcare and support services. Companies with capabilities in direct payment support, budget management, employment advice, and PA recruitment can potentially expand within the Sussex region. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in offering legal and employment consultancy or those involved in digital platform management for recruitment purposes stand to benefit from this opportunity. Moreover, organisations proficient in regulatory compliance, especially regarding DBS checks and data protection, have a critical role to play in this contract offering. This procurement is particularly suited for businesses that can innovate in flexible and accessible service delivery, fostering continuous improvement in support for Direct Payments and Personal Health Budgets. The direct award method highlights the demand for rapid response and adaptation, favouring agile enterprises capable of integration during regional healthcare policy transitions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Direct Payment Support Services (AACC)

Notice Description

This contract provides person-centred support to individuals managing Direct Payments or Personal Health Budgets for employing Personal Assistants (PA). Services include tailored guidance, budgeting assistance, legal and employment advice, and provision of customisable templates such as contracts and job descriptions. Ensuring data protection compliance and promotes safe recruitment practices, including DBS checks and eligibility verification. To support PA training, dispute resolution, and access to additional services like payroll and insurance. It facilitates recruitment through its PA Pages platform and works collaboratively to shape local policy. The service is to be flexible, accessible, and committed to continuous improvement and innovation in Direct Payment support.

Procurement Information

To ensure continuity of essential services-including access to funds, payroll, employment support, and mandatory PA training-a full procurement exercise is not feasible within the limited timeframe available. The ICB proposes engaging Independent Lives under a temporary arrangement to take on clients and expand coverage across Sussex. This service was expanded from West Sussex to include new clients from East Sussex and Brighton and Hove areas from 1 October 25. This interim solution will remain in place for 26 months, allowing time to align service specifications, complete market engagement, and respond to strategic changes including the merger of Surrey and Sussex ICBs. This waiver is necessary to maintain service continuity, safeguard vulnerable individuals, and ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities during a period of transition and strategic review. The Transparency Notice has been endorsed by the NHS Sussex ICB Chief Executive Officer. The Standstill Period will expire at midnight on 11th December 2025. Any challenges in regard to this transparency notice must be emailed to robert.kitt1@nhs.net no later than midnight on 11th December 2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ec4a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078636-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£303,061 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Dec 20255 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Dec 20255 days ago
Contract Period
13 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
sxicb.contractingandprocurement@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LEWES
Postcode
BN7 2FZ
Post Town
Brighton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Lewes
Electoral Ward
Lewes Bridge
Westminster Constituency
Lewes

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

INDEPENDENT LIVES (DISABILITY

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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