---
title: "Independent Media and External Communications for the IRP"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-27363dc9-e58a-4408-93de-8b92e411af7f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-27363dc9-e58a-4408-93de-8b92e411af7f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-27363dc9-e58a-4408-93de-8b92e411af7f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-27363dc9-e58a-4408-93de-8b92e411af7f.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH"
published: "2018-06-13"
---

# Independent Media and External Communications for the IRP

Buyer: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-27363dc9-e58a-4408-93de-8b92e411af7f

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-27363dc9-e58a-4408-93de-8b92e411af7f)  
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## Summary

The procurement process involves the Department of Health, which is seeking to award a contract for "Independent Media and External Communications for the IRP" in the field of public relations management services. The tender, which employs a selective procurement method under a restricted procedure, is currently in the Award stage, with the successful bid awarded to Grayling Communications LTD. The contract period is set to commence on 19 July 2018 and will last until 19 July 2021, with the tender period for submissions having ended on 13 March 2018. The location for service delivery includes the United Kingdom and various international territories.

This tender presents opportunities for businesses specialising in public relations and communications, particularly smaller and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) given that the suitability criteria flag them for this contract. Companies with relevant experience in engaging with NHS-related organisations and local government will find this tender particularly beneficial. The evolving and unpredictable nature of the contract also allows for businesses capable of scaling resources as required to effectively compete in this procurement process.

## Notice

The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) is the independent expert on NHS service change. The Panel was created in 2003 as an advisory non-departmental public body to provide ministers with independent expert advice on disputed NHS service changes, referred to them for decision by local authorities exercising powers of health scrutiny. It also offers informal support and generic advice to the NHS, local authorities and other interested bodies involved in NHS service reconfiguration. The Panel comprises a Chairman and 15 members and is supported in its work by a secretariat. On receipt of a commission for formal advice from the Secretary of State for Health, the IRP conducts a comprehensive and transparent review in a form akin to public enquiry with open communication to local people, media and interested parties, visits to local services and oral evidence sessions. The advice is produced in a report to the Secretary of State which he uses to inform his final decision. The reports are published in full by the IRP. The nature of its work puts the IRP firmly in the gaze of the media with whom it must work to protect, sustain and enhance its reputation at all times. The service being tendered will provide the necessary operational capacity and capability as required to achieve this objective and support the work of the Panel in advising Ministers. Operating at arms-length from the Department of Health and the Secretary of State is critical to being independent. The option of using DH media and communications services is not appropriate. Quality service provision will demonstrate understanding of the NHS and related organisations, including local government and the DH. Whilst there are some specific ongoing requirements, the volume and timing of the Panel's work is unpredictable, requiring mobilisation of resource as and when required. The contract model for this service is an activity, time and materials schedule.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8bc42c10-6e5a-4316-9ef7-269f6c008e5c |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Restricted procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Jun 2018 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Mar 2018 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 18 Apr 2018 |
| Contract period | 18 Jul 2018 - 19 Jul 2021 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £225,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £225,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH |
| Locality | LEEDS |
| Post town | Leeds |
| Postcode | LS2 7UE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE4 West Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE42 Leeds |
| Local authority | Leeds |
| Electoral ward | Little London & Woodhouse |
| Westminster constituency | Leeds Central and Headingley |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | GRAYLING COMMUNICATIONS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79416100 - Public relations management services

## Release History

- 13 Jun 2018 at 13:11 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8bc42c10-6e5a-4316-9ef7-269f6c008e5c

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8bc42c10-6e5a-4316-9ef7-269f6c008e5c
  13th June 2018 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-27363dc9-e58a-4408-93de-8b92e411af7f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-27363dc9-e58a-4408-93de-8b92e411af7f.json.