Award

Direct Payment Support Services (AACC)

NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

15 Dec 2025 at 10:15

Award

01 Dec 2025 at 16:34

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board has directly awarded the "Direct Payment Support Services (AACC)" contract, aimed at providing person-centred support for individuals managing Direct Payments or Personal Health Budgets. The contract encompasses various services, including legal and employment advice, budgeting assistance, and recruitment support via the PA Pages platform. These operations will be executed in the regions of East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, contributing to shaping local policies collaboratively. The procurement process employed was a direct award under the strategic review during the merger of Surrey and Sussex ICBs, ensuring continuity of essential services. The contract will start on 13th February 2026 and conclude on 31st March 2027, with a possibility of renewal until March 2028 depending on performance. Key dates include the standstill period ending on 11th December 2025 and potential challenges or concerns to be reported by midnight on this date.

This tender creates significant opportunities for businesses specialising in business services like law, consulting, recruitment, and security. The contract's emphasis on providing tailored support solutions aligns with the offerings of consultancies and training providers, particularly those experienced in frameworks surrounding Direct Payments and Personal Health Budgets. SMEs that demonstrate expertise in legal and employment advisory, data protection compliance, and PA training will find this a valuable opportunity to expand their footprint in the public sector. Moreover, innovation-driven companies capable of enhancing recruitment practices, ensuring safe recruitment through DBS checks, and facilitating access to services like payroll can compete effectively for this contract, thereby contributing to their growth and establishing long-term relationships with public authorities.

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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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ec4a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082780-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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
15 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Nov 20253 months 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

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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