---
title: "Digital Inclusion Research Package"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-cf76c245-4aee-4cac-8351-da701c2f3d4b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-cf76c245-4aee-4cac-8351-da701c2f3d4b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cf76c245-4aee-4cac-8351-da701c2f3d4b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cf76c245-4aee-4cac-8351-da701c2f3d4b.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NORTH OF ENGLAND COMMISSIONING SUPPORT"
published: "2023-03-24"
---

# Digital Inclusion Research Package

Buyer: NORTH OF ENGLAND COMMISSIONING SUPPORT  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-cf76c245-4aee-4cac-8351-da701c2f3d4b

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## Summary

The North of England Commissioning Support (NECS), on behalf of NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), is initiating a tender process for a Digital Inclusion Research Package with a contract value of £20,000. The procurement stage is in the planning phase, and interested organisations must express their interest by 31 March 2023. The service will focus on understanding digital inequalities in maternity in the North East and North Cumbria regions. The contract period is set to start on 1 April 2023, creating opportunities for SMEs and VCSEs in the social research and health services sector.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specialized in social research and health services to contribute to tackling digital exclusion in maternity care. The contract aims to deepen the understanding of digital inequalities in the specified regions and develop a roadmap for data capture to inform service improvements. SMEs and VCSEs are well-suited to compete for this project, which requires a mix of research methods, surveys, and collaboration with Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). The deadline for expressions of interest is noon on 31 March 2023, providing potential suppliers with an opportunity to engage with the procurement process.

## Notice

North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) is working for and on behalf of NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) (the Contracting Authority) who wish seek expressions of interest to deliver a Digital Inclusion Research Package for the North East and Cumbria region. The contract will be for a period of 6 months, commencing in April 2023 with a contract value of PS20,000. The service will cover the following areas: North Cumbria, Northumbria, Newcastle, and Gateshead South Tyneside & Sunderland, County Durham and Darlington, North Tees and South Tees. The work package title is "Understanding the scope, scale and impact of digital inequalities in Maternity in the North East and North Cumbria". Overview - aims and expected outcomes Technology has become an almost invisible part of most of our lives. Those in society who can easily access and use a digital device and mobile data can also access essential health-related information and services. However, digital exclusion in maternity is a barrier to women and families accessing timely, relevant, up-to-date information or services using technology and the internet. While our LMNS Equity and Equality Action Plan is informed by robust analysis of equity data, there is a gap in our understanding of the scope, scale and impact of digital exclusion in maternity in the North East and North Cumbria. Where digital inclusion data is available, we are left to infer either its relevance to our region or its application to our maternity and neonatal population. In order to target our resources most effectively and avoid operating from assumption, further information is needed. To that end, we are seeking to support our service improvement capability by commissioning a coproduced report that both provides a snapshot that deepens our understanding of digital inequalities in the North East and North Cumbria and sets out a roadmap for data capture on digital inclusion to inform ongoing learning and action. It's expected a mixture of methods would be utilised which may include desk research, surveys in partnership with MVPs, engagement with nominated staff. Additional information: Any organisations who would be interested in submitting a quotation for this contract must submit an expression of interest by 12:00 noon on Friday 31 March 2023. Only those organisations who express an interest by this this date/time will be invited to submit a quotation. In order to express an interest in this opportunity, organisations must register on the Intend Portal. The In-Tend e-Tendering portal can be found at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/nhsnecsu/aspx/Home. To register your interest in delivering this service, please confirm by answering the questions on Digital Inclusion Research Package - Expression of Interest (EoI). It is free to register on the portal and it can be accessed at any time of day providing you have a working internet connection. Should suppliers have any queries, or are having problems registering on the portal; they should contact the In-tend helpdesk via: support@in-tend.com or call us on 0845 557 8079 / +44 (0) 114 407 0065 The helpdesk is open Monday - Friday between 9am - 5.30pm Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 12:00 noon on Friday 31 March 2023.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0ea8e49c-447d-4464-9462-add9e3f5c6c7 |
| Notice type | Planned Procurement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Not specified |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Mar 2023 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 31 Mar 2023 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2023 - 31 Oct 2023 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £20,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planned |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTH OF ENGLAND COMMISSIONING SUPPORT |
| Locality | DURHAM |
| Post town | Durham |
| Postcode | DH1 3YG |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham |
| Local authority | County Durham |
| Electoral ward | Durham South |
| Westminster constituency | City of Durham |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 79315000 - Social research services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 24 Mar 2023 at 12:44 - Planning - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0ea8e49c-447d-4464-9462-add9e3f5c6c7

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0ea8e49c-447d-4464-9462-add9e3f5c6c7
  24th March 2023 - Future opportunity notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/nhsnecsu/aspx/Home

## 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-cf76c245-4aee-4cac-8351-da701c2f3d4b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cf76c245-4aee-4cac-8351-da701c2f3d4b.json.
