---
title: "Procurement for the provision of Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Counselling services for Thames Valley & Dorset"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-d475df8a-b1d9-4f92-bb51-cf5477b3b8dc"
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markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d475df8a-b1d9-4f92-bb51-cf5477b3b8dc.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d475df8a-b1d9-4f92-bb51-cf5477b3b8dc.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NHS SOUTH, CENTRAL AND WEST COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT"
published: "2017-09-13"
---

# Procurement for the provision of Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Counselling services for Thames Valley & Dorset

Buyer: NHS SOUTH, CENTRAL AND WEST COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-d475df8a-b1d9-4f92-bb51-cf5477b3b8dc

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## Summary

The procurement process is being managed by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit for the provision of Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) counselling services targeting victims of sexual violence in the Dorset and Thames Valley regions. This initiative, comprising two separate lots (Lot 1 for Thames Valley valued at £279,327 and Lot 2 for Dorset valued at £182,170), is currently in the Award stage with contracts expected to commence from 1st October 2017. The complete procurement process is being carried out under the open procedure, concluding the tendering period on 14th June 2017, while the service delivery is set for a three-year term. The buyer organisation is based in Bristol, England.

This procurement presents significant business opportunities for counselling service providers, particularly those with experience in therapeutic interventions for sexual violence victims. Both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, especially if they possess expertise in delivering flexible and evidence-based counselling services. Businesses specialising in healthcare services, trauma-informed practices, and those keen on making meaningful contributions to community health and wellbeing will find this tender particularly relevant.

## Notice

NHS England seeks to commission a provider of SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) Counselling services for victims of sexual violence in Dorset and Thames Valley. The procurement is split into two regional lots: * Lot 1 - Thames Valley * Lot 2 - Dorset This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central & West Commissioning Support Unit (SCWCSU) on behalf of the Commissioner. The Commissioner will be contracting for the Services using the National NHS Standard Contract. Contracts will be for a term of three years for both lots and services are planned to commence from October 2017. The value of the service for the Thames Valley lot (Lot 1) will be PS279,327 over three years; the value of the Dorset lot (Lot 2) will be PS182,170 over three years. Providers may bid for one or both lots This service is for the provision of counselling to adults, children and young people, who have experienced rape, sexual abuse or sexual assault at any point in their lives. This includes their families/carers. It also includes those who have accessed the SARC, Paediatric Sexual Assault Services (SAS) or those who have had contact with Specially Trained Officers (or equivalent) or Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs). The service aims and objectives are to work therapeutically in a range of ways with Adults, Children, Young People, Family or Carer who meet the referral criteria: * To enable clients to find appropriate ways of coping with distress caused by rape or sexual abuse * To support clients to achieve their potential and make meaningful contributions to improved health and quality of life * To encourage and enable people to keep themselves safe * Counselling should be offered flexibly to meet the needs of the client , family or carer * To deliver effective counselling, using evidence based and creative therapies based on: need, age and those presenting issues, to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health, develop resilience and enhance coping skills. * Enable all children, young people and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives NHS England seek responses from those with skills and experience in the provision of counselling therapy services for victims of rape or sexual assault services referred by the SARC or Police. Interested parties are invited to take part in an Invitation To Tender (ITT) process, based on the Open procedure, and designed to identify the Most Economically Advantageous Tender and therefore determine the incoming provider. Further information in the additional text section. Additional information: Interested providers will be able to view the tender opportunity via the 'current tenders' list on in-tend. https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home Or you should be able to go directly to this particular tender opportunity by following the link below: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/ProjectManage/383 In order to access the tender documentation you will need to 'express an interest' and register on the system. Bidders are required to respond to the Selection Questionnaire & ITT questions directly within In-Tend and attach any requested documents separately to the placeholders provided. The Services are healthcare services within the meaning and scope of Annex XIV of Directive 2014/24/EU ("the Directive") and Schedule 3 to the Public Contract Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations"). The tendering process will be conducted in accordance with the requirements and flexibilities provided by Articles 74 to 76 of the Directive, and Regulations 74 to 76 of the Regulations. The Authority will run a transparent tender process, treating all bidders equally. For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority will not be bound by the Regulations or the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union or any other regulations or legislation except for the specific parts or circumstances that apply to the procurement of these Services. Neither the inclusion of a bidder selection stage, nor the use of any language or terms found in the Directive or Regulations, nor the description of the procedure voluntarily adopted by the Authority ("Open", "Restricted", "Competitive Procedure with Negotiation", "Competitive Dialogue" or any other description), nor any other indication, shall be taken to mean that the Authority intends to hold itself bound by the Directive or Regulations, save by the provisions applicable to services coming within the scope of Annex XIV of the Directive / Schedule 3 of the Regulations. The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but is instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3b6233c8-9e46-436b-935d-614ccdfa89ce |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Sep 2017 |
| Submission deadline | 14 Jun 2017 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 Aug 2017 |
| Contract period | 30 Sep 2017 - 30 Sep 2020 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £461,497 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £430,230 |
| 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 SOUTH, CENTRAL AND WEST COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT |
| Locality | BRISTOL |
| Post town | Bristol |
| Postcode | BS1 3NX |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England |
| ITL 3 | TLK51 Bristol, City of |
| Local authority | Bristol, City of |
| Electoral ward | Central |
| Westminster constituency | Bristol Central |
| Delivery location | TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | DORSET RAPE CRISIS SUPPORT CENTRE; TRUST HOUSE READING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 13 Sep 2017 at 08:54 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3b6233c8-9e46-436b-935d-614ccdfa89ce
- 13 Sep 2017 at 08:44 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/71bab38b-0124-45ad-8026-418c5c89dedc
- 15 May 2017 at 16:44 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/71bab38b-0124-45ad-8026-418c5c89dedc
- 15 May 2017 at 16:40 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/71bab38b-0124-45ad-8026-418c5c89dedc

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3b6233c8-9e46-436b-935d-614ccdfa89ce
  13th September 2017 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/71bab38b-0124-45ad-8026-418c5c89dedc
  13th September 2017 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Registration
  If you are not yet registered on In-Tend, please visit:
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home
  In-Tend eTendering Portal
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/ProjectManage/383
  In-Tend opportunity direct link

## Provenance

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