NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems

NHS ESSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

08 Jun 2026 at 12:39

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Essex Integrated Care Board has completed the procurement process for the "NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems" contract, classified under the community health services industry. The services will be delivered across Southend and Castle Point and Rochford in the UKH3 region. Awarded without a prior call for competition due to urgent circumstances, this decision ensures the continuity of essential mental health services while the buyer resolves delays in its ongoing procurement process. This contract started on 1st April 2026 and will run until 31st March 2027, with no extension options. The total contract value is £5,904,432, and it was awarded directly to Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

This tender represents significant opportunities for businesses involved in healthcare service provision, particularly those specialising in mental health. Providers with ready operational capacity, infrastructure, and expertise in delivering complex health interventions may find opportunities for growth through collaboration with public bodies like the NHS. The award highlights the importance of maintaining established care pathways and therapeutic relationships, positioning businesses already embedded in the industry as well-suited to compete in similar urgent procurement scenarios where service continuity is paramount. As the NHS Essex Integrated Care Board aims to establish a longer-term commissioning solution, there may also be potential for future competitive processes once immediate needs are addressed.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems

Notice Description

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) is awarding this contract to the incumbent provider under Regulation 14 of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) 2023 due to urgent circumstances arising from delays to an ongoing procurement process. A direct award is required to avoid a service gap and ensure continuity of essential mental health services. Further detail on the justification for this urgent award is set out in Section II.2.4.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) is awarding this contract for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems, delivering evidence-based interventions via face-to-face, online, and telephone consultations to support individuals experiencing mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. In accordance with Regulation 14 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, the Authority has made an urgent award to the incumbent provider due to an immediate and compelling need to maintain continuity of service, and the inability to complete a competitive process within the required timescales without significant risk. The decision to award to the incumbent provider is justified on the following grounds: The ongoing procurement process has been delayed. Further delay to service provision would create a real and unacceptable risk of interruption to essential mental health services, adversely impacting vulnerable service users. The urgency of need means there is insufficient time to recommence or complete a new selection process without jeopardising patient care. * Transitioning to a new provider would necessitate a substantial mobilisation period, including workforce onboarding, governance alignment and clinical integration. This cannot be achieved within the necessary timeframe to avoid a service gap, and therefore no alternative provider could deliver the services safely and effectively at the point required. * The incumbent provider maintains established therapeutic relationships, care pathways and clinical knowledge of current service users. Disruption to these arrangements would present a significant risk to patient safety, service stability and clinical outcomes, particularly for individuals with complex mental health needs. * The current provider has the immediate operational capacity, workforce, infrastructure and clinical expertise to continue delivering the service without interruption. This ensures compliance with the requirement under Regulation 14 to secure services quickly and safely in response to urgency. * The urgent award represents a proportionate response to exceptional circumstances, intended only to maintain continuity of provision while the Authority resolves the delayed procurement process and implements a compliant longer-term commissioning solution. The contract will run for a fixed term of 12 months commencing 1st April 2026 and ending 31st March 2027, with no option to extend. This timeframe enables the newly formed NHS Essex Integrated Care Board to complete the ongoing procurement for an Essex-wide service. The total estimated contract value is PS5,904,432.00.

Procurement Information

This contract has been awarded without prior publication in accordance with Regulation 14 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, due to extreme urgency. The urgency arises from delays to an ongoing procurement process, creating a risk of a service gap affecting vulnerable mental health service users. The Authority has determined that it is not possible to complete a competitive process within the required timescales and that no alternative provider could be mobilised safely in time. The award to the incumbent provider ensures continuity of care and mitigates risks to patient safety. Full details of the justification are set out in Section II.2.4.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06afc1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053790-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85323000 - Community health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£5,904,432 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Feb 20264 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS ESSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD , ESSEX
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ESSEX PARTNERSHIP UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06afc1-2026-06-08T13:39:11+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-08T13:39:11+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06afc1",
    "description": "This contract has been awarded under the urgent circumstances provision of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) 2023 (Regulation 14). The provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. This notice has been published within 30 days of contract signature. Details of the justification for the urgent award are provided in Section II.2.4. Details of Decision Makers: Essex Joint Committee, 22 January 2026 Finance and Performance meeting, 9 January 2026 - Virtual Approval Finance and Performance meeting, 6 Jan 2026 ICB Proposed Essex Executive Committee, 2 December 2025 The Authority has undertaken an appropriate and proportionate review of declarations and is satisfied that effective arrangements are in place to identify and manage any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest. Where relevant, mitigation measures have been applied to ensure that no conflict is capable of conferring any undue advantage or disadvantage. On this basis, the Authority is satisfied that no conflict of interest has adversely affected, or is capable of adversely affecting, the integrity of the procurement.",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "ACE-0011-2026-ESX",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "85323000",
            "description": "Community health services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) is awarding this contract to the incumbent provider under Regulation 14 of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) 2023 due to urgent circumstances arising from delays to an ongoing procurement process. A direct award is required to avoid a service gap and ensure continuity of essential mental health services. Further detail on the justification for this urgent award is set out in Section II.2.4.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) is awarding this contract for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems, delivering evidence-based interventions via face-to-face, online, and telephone consultations to support individuals experiencing mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. In accordance with Regulation 14 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, the Authority has made an urgent award to the incumbent provider due to an immediate and compelling need to maintain continuity of service, and the inability to complete a competitive process within the required timescales without significant risk. The decision to award to the incumbent provider is justified on the following grounds: The ongoing procurement process has been delayed. Further delay to service provision would create a real and unacceptable risk of interruption to essential mental health services, adversely impacting vulnerable service users. The urgency of need means there is insufficient time to recommence or complete a new selection process without jeopardising patient care. * Transitioning to a new provider would necessitate a substantial mobilisation period, including workforce onboarding, governance alignment and clinical integration. This cannot be achieved within the necessary timeframe to avoid a service gap, and therefore no alternative provider could deliver the services safely and effectively at the point required. * The incumbent provider maintains established therapeutic relationships, care pathways and clinical knowledge of current service users. Disruption to these arrangements would present a significant risk to patient safety, service stability and clinical outcomes, particularly for individuals with complex mental health needs. * The current provider has the immediate operational capacity, workforce, infrastructure and clinical expertise to continue delivering the service without interruption. This ensures compliance with the requirement under Regulation 14 to secure services quickly and safely in response to urgency. * The urgent award represents a proportionate response to exceptional circumstances, intended only to maintain continuity of provision while the Authority resolves the delayed procurement process and implements a compliant longer-term commissioning solution. The contract will run for a fixed term of 12 months commencing 1st April 2026 and ending 31st March 2027, with no option to extend. This timeframe enables the newly formed NHS Essex Integrated Care Board to complete the ongoing procurement for an Essex-wide service. The total estimated contract value is PS5,904,432.00.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "to address immediate risks to safety and quality of care",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "100"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "100"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "cancelled"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKH3"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "Southend and Castle Point and Rochford"
                },
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "limited",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "D_OUTSIDE_SCOPE",
                "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
                "description": "The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationale": "This contract has been awarded without prior publication in accordance with Regulation 14 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, due to extreme urgency. The urgency arises from delays to an ongoing procurement process, creating a risk of a service gap affecting vulnerable mental health service users. The Authority has determined that it is not possible to complete a competitive process within the required timescales and that no alternative provider could be mobilised safely in time. The award to the incumbent provider ensures continuity of care and mitigates risks to patient safety. Full details of the justification are set out in Section II.2.4."
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "053790-2026-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-118915",
                    "name": "Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-182837",
            "name": "NHS Essex Integrated Care Board",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "NHS Essex Integrated Care Board",
                "id": "D7T5G"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Seax House Victoria Road South",
                "locality": "Chelmsford , Essex",
                "region": "UKH3",
                "postalCode": "CM1 1QH",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "cariad.burgess@attain.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Body governed by public law"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "07",
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Health"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-118915",
            "name": "Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "The Lodge, Lodge Approach, Runwell,",
                "locality": "Wickford",
                "region": "UKG",
                "postalCode": "SS11 7XX",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-182665",
            "name": "The Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "The Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "NHS England, 7 and 8 Wellington Place",
                "locality": "Leeds",
                "postalCode": "LS1 4AP",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-182730",
            "name": "NHS Essex Integrated Care Board",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "NHS Essex Integrated Care Board"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Seax House, Victoria Road South",
                "locality": "Chelmsford , Essex",
                "postalCode": "CM1 1QH",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "mediationBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-182731",
            "name": "NHS Essex Integrated Care Board",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "NHS Essex Integrated Care Board"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Seax House Victoria Road South",
                "locality": "Chelmsford , Essex",
                "postalCode": "CM1 1QH",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewContactPoint"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-182837",
        "name": "NHS Essex Integrated Care Board"
    },
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "053790-2026-1",
            "awardID": "053790-2026-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 5904432,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2026-02-09T00:00:00Z"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 1
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}