--- title: "Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Dorset to NHS England South West" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-fa67d417-616c-4eb8-b81b-4cce9b8a7c4b" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fa67d417-616c-4eb8-b81b-4cce9b8a7c4b" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fa67d417-616c-4eb8-b81b-4cce9b8a7c4b.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fa67d417-616c-4eb8-b81b-4cce9b8a7c4b.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "NHS SOUTH, CENTRAL AND WEST COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT" published: "2024-09-02" --- # Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Dorset to NHS England South West Buyer: NHS SOUTH, CENTRAL AND WEST COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-b5fd17-fa67d417-616c-4eb8-b81b-4cce9b8a7c4b [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fa67d417-616c-4eb8-b81b-4cce9b8a7c4b) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fa67d417-616c-4eb8-b81b-4cce9b8a7c4b.json) ## Summary The procurement process for providing Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services in Dorset, led by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW), has recently concluded with the contract being awarded to Partnering Health Limited. The contract, valued at £6,264,561, spans seven years and will commence on 6th January 2025. This initiative, classified under the health services industry (CPV: 85100000), focuses on ensuring equitable access and a high standard of care for victims of sexual assault across the South West region of the United Kingdom. Key dates include the tender period end on 24th June 2024 and the contract award date of 16th August 2024. The procurement was conducted using an open procedure above the threshold, adhering to the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations of 2023. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses with experience in delivering comprehensive health and support services, particularly those involved in forensic medical examinations, crisis support, and referral services for sexual assault victims. Companies capable of integrating innovative solutions, improving access and reducing health inequalities, and offering sustainable services are well-suited to compete. Given the emphasis on quality, value, and collaboration, businesses that can demonstrate strong performance in these areas stand to benefit by potentially expanding their service offerings under NHS contracts. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE) are particularly encouraged to participate. ## Notice NHS England as lead commissioner and the Dorset Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Dorset Police Force as co-commissioners, are recommissioning Dorset Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services. Dorset SARC services aim to increase equity of access and ensure a consistent and high standard of quality care to victims of sexual assault. The service will be delivered in line with current national standards, regulations and governance and be designed to meet the needs of the local population. The services within scope include core SARC provision, SARC management, the provision of medical and forensic examinations (both acute and non-recent), crisis support and onward referral services for people who have experienced sexual assault. It should be noted that non-recent cases for children aged 12 years and under are out of scope of the SARC contract and will not be undertaken at the (accredited) SARC site. The Provider will ensure that services are delivered in an age-appropriate way for children and adults; all staff must meet the skills and competences commensurate with their role. Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services and therapeutic provision including counselling and talking therapies will be out of scope. However, the new SARC provider will work closely with these services and ensure service users are referred to onward provision as appropriate. The Commissioner intends to contract for the Services using the National NHS Standard Contract. The contract term will be for a duration of 7 years and will commence from 6th January 2025. The total contract value is PS6,264,561 over the seven years. This is an existing service being awarded to a new provider. This procurement was carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners. Additional information: The decision to award this contract in line with the Competitive Process was based on evaluation against the basic selection criteria (in the form of a Selection Questionnaire), which was assessed on a pass/fail basis, and the 5 key criteria, which were assessed on a 0-4 scale, with the below weightings. Several tender questions were asked under each of the key criteria. - Quality and Innovation: 52% - Value: 10% - Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability: 15% - Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities, and Facilitating Choice: 10% - Social Value: 13% The provider selected for award has been chosen as they were the highest scoring bidder overall, against the key criteria. The evaluation panel consisted of representatives from NHS England (Health & Justice Commissioners, Contracts, Quality and Safeguarding, and Information Governance), Dorset OPPC, Dorset Police, a Clinical Lead and Service User. Award decisions have been recommended by the NHS England Health & Justice Sexual Assault and Abuse Strategy Commissioner. Award decisions have been made by the NHS England South West System Oversight & Co-ordination Leadership Team, with key decision makers being Managing Director - System Commissioning Development, Director of Commissioning Finance, Director of Collaborative Commissioning. No conflicts of interest were declared. The standstill period closed at midnight on Thursday 29th August 2024, and the contract award was issued on Friday 30th August 2024. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) confirmation of contract award notice. This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. This contract has now been formally awarded using the competitive process. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cdcd18b4-b086-4f80-92e2-1cc196dd102a | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 2 Sep 2024 | | Submission deadline | 24 Jun 2024 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 15 Aug 2024 | | Contract period | 6 Jan 2025 - 5 Jan 2032 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £6,264,561 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £6,264,561 | | 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 6BH | | 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 | 1 | | Supplier names | PARTNERING HEALTH | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85100000 - Health services ## Release History - 2 Sep 2024 at 13:44 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cdcd18b4-b086-4f80-92e2-1cc196dd102a - 16 Aug 2024 at 14:19 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cdcd18b4-b086-4f80-92e2-1cc196dd102a - 23 Apr 2024 at 13:26 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1567e30a-7bad-48da-9b87-4cf63656d8f2 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cdcd18b4-b086-4f80-92e2-1cc196dd102a 2nd September 2024 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1567e30a-7bad-48da-9b87-4cf63656d8f2 23rd April 2024 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome ## 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-fa67d417-616c-4eb8-b81b-4cce9b8a7c4b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fa67d417-616c-4eb8-b81b-4cce9b8a7c4b.json.