Personal Independence Payments (PIP) Assessment Service - Contract Extension - Lot 4 Reference number: UI_DWP_100432

Concepts

• health and social work
• sheffield
• dfc
• veat
• assessment service
• contract extension
• number of changes
• health assessment services
• assessment services lot
• service delivery

Location

Sheffield

Description

Further to the VEAT notice issued on 10 July 2020 REF. NO 2020/S 135-333753 of July 2020, DfC is placing this voluntary transparency notice to alert economic operators of its intention to enter into a Contract Variation of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment services Lot 4 Contract with the incumbent supplier following a period of 10 days from the date of publication of this notice in accordance with Regulation 72(1)(c). The Contract Variation provides for an extension of two (2) years from 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2023.

Total Quantity or Scope

The impact of Covid-19 on health assessment services has been, and continues to be significant. DfC had to act quickly to implement a number of changes to service delivery, both to ensure the health and wellbeing of the public, its own employees and health assessment provider staff, and in response to the effect of the pandemic on the capacity of DfC and its assessment provider to deliver health assessment services. These changes included the temporary suspension of face to face assessments, and the introduction of telephony based assessments. The changes implemented to date, combined with the effect of two waves of the pandemic in the past year and the potential impacts of an impending third wave and possible further waves continue to be challenges to DfC’s efforts to stabilise the service in advance of any procurement. Given that PIP Assessments undertaken as part of the Contract Services support critical statutory welfare benefits catering for vulnerable people, a gap in service provision is not an option. DfC has therefore concluded that extending the existing PIP Contract for up to 2 years is the best option for: (i) stabilising PIP Assessment services, (ii) ensuring a continuous service for these complex and vitally important services, which support delivery of statutory welfare benefits to vulnerable claimants each year and (iii) allowing DfC to fully understand and evaluate the impacts of Covid-19 ahead of any future procurements or decisions on service delivery. DfC will continue to implement steps to secure further efficiencies and service improvements in the way that the existing Contract is currently delivered and in particular throughout the extension period and will monitor performance in order to demonstrate value for money. DfC, partnering with DWP, intends to continue engaging with the market to discuss the future transition of PIP assessment services and the future of health assessments more broadly. DfC will build in periodic reviews (4-6 monthly) to identify whether longer or shorter extensions than 24 months are needed.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the Official Journal of the European Union in the cases listed below Regulation 72(1)(c) PCR: For the reasons set out in II.2.4 above, the provision of additional services over a period of two (2) years has become necessary (i) The need for modification has been brought about by circumstances which a “diligent contracting authority” could not have foreseen. Covid-19 is a unique event whose impact could not have been foreseen; and (ii) The modification does not alter the overall nature of the contract; The services to be provided by the incumbent will remain consistent and there will be no alteration to the overall nature of the Contract, and (iii) The modification does not exceed 50 % of the original contract value. The price to be paid for the extended period of the Contract does not exceed 50 % of the original value of the Contract, and (iv) DfC will publish a Modification Notice pursuant to Regulation 72(3) of PCR. Please see Section VI.3 below for additional information.

Other Information

Suppliers Instructions: How to Express Interest in this Tender: 1. Register on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once): https://dwp.bravosolution.co.uk & click the link to register - Accept the terms & conditions & click 'continue' - Enter your correct business & user details - Note your chosen username & click 'Save'. You will receive an email with your password (keep this secure) 2. Express an Interest in the tender - Login to the portal with the username/password - Click the 'PQQs / ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires or Invitations to Tender open to any registered supplier) - Click on the relevant exercise to access the content. - Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of the page. - This will move the PQQ /ITT into your 'My PQQs/ My ITTs' page. (A secure area reserved for your projects only) -You can now access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'PQQ/ ITT Details' box 3. Responding to the tender - Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ/ ITT Details', you can choose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining) - You can now use the 'Messages' function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification - Note the deadline for completion. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ/ ITT - There may be a mixture of online & offline actions to complete (detailed online help available). To submit your reply use the 'Submit Response' button (top of the page). For further assistance please consult the online help, or the eTendering help desk. DWP expressly reserves the rights(i)to use a reverse auction; (ii)to cancel this procurement at any stage; (iii)to not award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; (iv)and in no circumstances will DWP be liable for any costs incurred by potential suppliers.