DHSC: PIN for Market Engagement of Research Delivery Network coordinating centre re procurement

Tender description

DHSC funds the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR’s purpose is to fund, enable and deliver health and social care research. NIHR’s policy and functions are directed by DHSC’s Chief Scientific Advisor and Science Research & Evidence Directorate. The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) supports patients, the public, and health and care organisations across England to participate in high-quality research. The CRN comprises 15 Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs), which support the delivery of high-quality research across all geographies and therapy areas. National leadership and coordination are provided by the Clinical Research Network coordinating centre (CRNCC). DHSC is looking to undertake a retendering process to award a contract to provide the coordinating centre for 5 years starting on 1/4/2024 with the option to extend for up to a further 4 years. This PIN is to advise prospective providers of the Commissioner’s intention. Lot 1: The DHSC’s current contract for the CRNCC runs until 31 March 2024. Funding for the LCRNs is provided directly to the NHS via DHSC agreements with each NHS organisation that acts as a host for a LCRN. The CRNCC manages the contracts for the 15 LCRNs on behalf of DHSC. The current annual budget for the CRNCC is approximately £25 million. The structure of the CRN will continue to comprise regional networks plus a national coordinating centre, and DHSC is implementing a number of evolutionary changes for the future network through this contract, including: a change in the name of the CRN to the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) to better reflect the scope and purpose of the network. The coordinating centre will coordinate a joint leadership function with the regional networks and DHSC so that the RDN operates as a single organisation with a shared vision and purpose across England. The joint leadership function will balance regional context, expertise, and relationships with national coordination and strategy. <br/>It is the intention of the Authority that this procurement will be conducted as a competitive procedure with negotiation (under Regulation 29 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015). The ITT is expected to be published later in 2022; a separate advert will be released in this respect. We intend to hold a Market Engagement event in mid-May 2022.<br/>If you have any questions relating to this upcoming opportunity, please direct your emails to Gauri.Jain@dhsc.gov.uk <br/>Note: This Prior Information Notice is not a call for competition. <br/>The Authority may amend any information in this PIN at its sole discretion. Additional information: More information on NIHR and CRN via https://www.nihr.ac.uk/<br/>https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/clinical-research-network.htm