Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Service

Tender description

This notice is to inform the market of a contract awarded to RSM UK Group LLP (RSM) to deliver an Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Service for Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board. Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB undertook a procurement process for an Internal Audit, Counter Fraud and Security Management Service using a call-off process using the East of England NHS Collaborative Hub (EoECPH) Statutory Audit and Multi-Specialty Consultancy Services Framework, Lot 4 - Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Services, advertised in OJEU reference 2019/S 153-377590. The awarded contract started on 1st April 2022 and was due to expire on 31st March 2026. Since the contract was awarded, the provider has encountered significant staffing challenges that have severely hindered their ability to fulfil the obligations within their contract. As a result, they have been unable to deliver any work as per the agreed 2023/24 work plan. Subsequently, the provider has requested that the contract be terminated as they have been unable to fulfil their obligations against the terms and conditions. The Internal Audit element of the contract commenced on 28th September 2023 and will end on 31st March 2025 whilst the Counter Fraud element will commence on 1st April 2024 and will end on 31st March 2025. The award to RSM is being made under Regulation 32 (2) (c) emergency requirements. This is an emergency requirement which is not attributable to, or foreseeable by, the Contracting Authority. It is not practicable to undertake a procurement exercise to appoint a new provider as the timescales associated with this would mean that the ICB would not be able to meet its statutory audit obligations to deliver the 2023/24 Head of Internal Audit Opinion. The total value of the contract (including both elements) to 31st March 2025 is £200,750 exclusive of VAT. As this is a non-competitive direct award, the closing date expressed in this notice is the date on which the waiver was approved by the Accountable Officer.