---
title: "Step Down Beds Framework - NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-88e4ca05-3282-4522-8fdb-6ef669071e9c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-88e4ca05-3282-4522-8fdb-6ef669071e9c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-88e4ca05-3282-4522-8fdb-6ef669071e9c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-88e4ca05-3282-4522-8fdb-6ef669071e9c.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NHS ARDEN AND GEM COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT"
published: "2023-10-25"
---

# Step Down Beds Framework - NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB

Buyer: NHS ARDEN AND GEM COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-88e4ca05-3282-4522-8fdb-6ef669071e9c

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## Summary

The NHS Arden and GEM Commissioning Support Unit awarded the Step Down Beds Framework tender for NHS Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) to multiple providers. The procurement stage was an open procedure (above threshold) with a total value of £36,000,000. The contract period is from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2028, with an option to extend for two more years. The procurement aimed to commission step-down beds for patient recuperation within the East of England region.

This tender opportunity to provide step-down bed services presents growth prospects for SMEs and large-scale healthcare providers. Businesses offering healthcare services, particularly in recuperation and long-term care, are well-suited to compete. The contract framework allows for flexibility in service provision across multiple locations within Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes. Deadlines for participation were set for 17th August 2022, creating an opportunity for interested providers to expand their operations and contribute to community health initiatives.

## Notice

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) invited expressions of interest from suitably qualified providers D2A Step-down ("the service"), to be delivered across the population of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. An advert (ref: 20220718173249-68205) was published on this Contracts Finder portal and a Contract Notice (ref: 2022/S 000-019588) on the Find-a-Tender Service portal was published on 18th July 2022 for this opportunity. The aim of commissioning step down beds was to provide a community bed for patients who have had an acute inpatient episode, but who are not yet ready to go home, and who need a period of recuperation and recovery. This cohort also includes people who may require a residential long-term placement. This may be because they need a further period of recovery before being able to engage in active rehabilitation; they may need some additional rehabilitation therapy before being able to return home: or it may be that they have yet to complete their Continuing Healthcare or Social Care Assessments for their long-term care needs prior to discharge home or to a long-term placement. Contracts are awarded on a framework agreement with multiple providers. The total number of providers within the framework is based on the capacity of providers however it was expected to be between 10-15 based on the minimum capacity levels identified. Providers are able to supply beds across multiple sites and localities however each site must meet the required minimum capacity levels. The contract is for an initial period of 3 years from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2026, with an option to extend for up to a further two years until 31st March 2028 at the discretion of the commissioner. It is important to note here that the contract value and activity levels were derived based on past experience. There is no guarantee that they will remain at these levels in the future. They may increase or decrease. The actual contract value and activity levels may differ during the period of service provision due to factors beyond the Commissioner'(s) control such as increase/decrease in population of the local area, closure of other nearby NHS health organisations due to unforeseen reasons, patient's experience/preference etc. The Commissioner reserves the right to open future windows at their discretion for additional providers if increased capacity is required. These windows may be opened at any time subject to the need and discretion of the Commissioner.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0406d142-2ea2-4256-be3e-c324a9882d44 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large, SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 25 Oct 2023 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Aug 2022 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 30 Mar 2023 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2023 - 31 Mar 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £36,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| 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 | NHS ARDEN AND GEM COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT |
| Locality | LUTON |
| Post town | Luton |
| Postcode | LU1 2LJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLH21 Luton |
| Local authority | Luton |
| Electoral ward | Central |
| Westminster constituency | Luton South and South Bedfordshire |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 3 |
| Supplier names | HC-ONE OVAL; KIMBOLTON LODGE; PARKLANDS NURSING HOME |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85100000 - Health services

## Release History

- 25 Oct 2023 at 16:15 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0406d142-2ea2-4256-be3e-c324a9882d44

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0406d142-2ea2-4256-be3e-c324a9882d44
  25th October 2023 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/fd71efc4-fd4d-473a-bf4f-ab3f06a06bac
  Previous advert published on Contract Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/8e49bec5-0e8b-4a8b-bc3b-4fff166c9e80
  Previous Contract Notice published on Find-a-Tender Service

## Notice URLs

- https://bedfordshirelutonandmiltonkeynes.icb.nhs.uk/

## Provenance

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