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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Mental Health Community Step Down Facility

NHS Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board · planning

Tender information last checkedLast checked 26 Sept 2026, 01:36.

Opportunity overview

NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (the Commissioner) is publishing this notice to inform the market of its intention to follow the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) process for the award of a contract for a Mental Health Community Step-Down Facility. The service will provide a 9-bed, community-based step-down facility for adults with severe mental health needs who are ready for discharge from acute inpatient services and require further assessment and support in a non-hospital setting. The Commissioner has a strong preference for providers that can demonstrate their ability to fully mobilise the service within twelve weeks of contract award. Providers should be able to evidence a credible mobilisation plan, including arrangements for premises, workforce, governance, and operational infrastructure necessary to deliver the service from the contract commencement date. Providers who believe they are capable of delivering this service are invited to express their interest within 14 days of publication of this notice. The Commissioner will not begin identifying or assessing potential providers until after this period, in accordance with the Provider Selection Regime The contract duration is 12-months with an optional extension of a further 12-months. The anticipated service commencement date is January 2027. The contract value for the initial 12-month contract is £1,000,000 and the total contract value including the optional 12-month extension period is £2,000,000 excluding VAT This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.

Classification

  • CPV85323000 — Community health services

Lots

  • NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (the Commissioner) is publishing this notice to inform the market of its intention to follow the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) process in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) for the award of a contract for a Mental Health Community Step-Down Facility. The service will provide a 9-bed community-based step-down facility for adults (18+) with severe mental health needs who are ready for discharge from acute inpatient services but require a period of further assessment and support in a non-hospital setting. The service aims to: • Facilitate timely discharge from acute mental health services • Reduce delayed discharges and inpatient length of stay • Support transition to independent or supported community living • Promote recovery, independence and social inclusion • Deliver care in the least restrictive environment The service will include: • Self-contained accommodation within Kent and Medway • 24-hour on-site staffing and support • A recovery-focused model of care • Integrated working with NHS, local authority, and community partners • A typical length of stay of approximately 14-16 weeks The anticipated contract start date is January 2027. The Initial contract duration is 12 months with the option to extend up to a further 12 months. The contract value for the initial 12-month contract is £1,000,000 and the total contract value including the optional 12-month extension period is £2,000,000 excluding VAT TUPE is unlikely to apply to this procurement. This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.Value not stated

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
C464693
Status
planned
Main Procurement Category
services

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Classification

Scheme
CPV
Id
85323000
Description
Community health services

Communication

Future Notice Date
10 Oct 2026, 00:00

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Description
NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (the Commissioner) is publishing this notice to inform the market of its intention to follow the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) process in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) for the award of a contract for a Mental Health Community Step-Down Facility. The service will provide a 9-bed community-based step-down facility for adults (18+) with severe mental health needs who are ready for discharge from acute inpatient services but require a period of further assessment and support in a non-hospital setting. The service aims to: • Facilitate timely discharge from acute mental health services • Reduce delayed discharges and inpatient length of stay • Support transition to independent or supported community living • Promote recovery, independence and social inclusion • Deliver care in the least restrictive environment The service will include: • Self-contained accommodation within Kent and Medway • 24-hour on-site staffing and support • A recovery-focused model of care • Integrated working with NHS, local authority, and community partners • A typical length of stay of approximately 14-16 weeks The anticipated contract start date is January 2027. The Initial contract duration is 12 months with the option to extend up to a further 12 months. The contract value for the initial 12-month contract is £1,000,000 and the total contract value including the optional 12-month extension period is £2,000,000 excluding VAT TUPE is unlikely to apply to this procurement. This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.
Status
planned

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKJ4

Delivery Location

Description
Kent & Medway ICB

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
NHS Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board
Id
GB-FTS-148861

Identifier

Legal Name
NHS Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board
No Identifier Rationale
notOnAnyRegister

Address

Locality
Maidstone
Region
UKJ4
Country Name
United Kingdom

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Id
BODY_PUBLIC
Description
Body governed by public law
Entry 2
Scheme
COFOG
Id
07
Description
Health

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Maidstone · UKJ4 · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKJ4

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 077569-2026planning ·