Health and social work services

Tender description

DfC is placing this voluntary transparency notice to alert economic operators of its intention to modify the personal independence payment assessment service contract with the incumbent supplier in accordance with Regulation 72(1)(c) The contract variation shall provide for an extension of up to two (2) years 1 August 2021-31 July 2023. This transparency notice does not place any obligation on the authority to enter into this modification. The original contract was awarded pursuant to the health and disability assessment services framework agreement (referenced DWP_100255) which expired in 2016, and was for a term of 5 years with the option to extend by up to 2 years (1 + 1), expiring on 31 July 2019. This was extended for 2 years until 31 July 2021 (see Voluntary ex ante transparency notice 2019/S 133-328018, and modification notice 2019/S 175-427087). The impact of Covid-19 on health assessment services has been, and continues to be significant. DfC has 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 include the temporary suspension of face to face assessments, and the introduction of telephony based assessments. The changes implemented to date, and the unknown impact of future waves of the pandemic on service delivery, are 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.