Published date: 25 April 2025

This notice was replaced on 25 April 2025

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 25 April 2025)

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Call centre - 79512000

  • Guidance and counselling services - 85312300

Location of contract

SW1H 0EU

Value of contract

£786,363

Procurement reference

CF-3004300D0O000000rwimUAA

Published date

25 April 2025

Closing date

10 February 2025

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

1 April 2025

Contract end date

31 March 2026

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Negotiated procedure without prior publication (above threshold)

The opportunity was not advertised, because for example only one supplier is capable of delivering the requirement, or due to extreme urgency brought about by unforeseen events.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

DHSC have made a direct award to the Breastfeeding Network (BfN) for a 12-month period to provide a continuity of service for the 24-hour National Breastfeeding Helpline (NBH).

This direct award has been made in accordance with Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) competition is absent for technical reasons.

In 2024/25, the NBH was expanded to pilot a night service so that services are available to members of the public 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The current NBH service includes a 24-hour telephone helpline and voicemail service, social media, webchat and links to the BfN's drugs in breastmilk advice service.

DHSC have deemed that BfN are currently the only supplier who are positioned to run the 24-hour service without helpline users facing a gap or reduction in service provision, based upon BfN's capacity to manage service demand and them additionally having the means to increase capacity of the night service in early 2025/26. BfN also previously commissioned an independent evaluation for the 2024/25 pilot and are uniquely positioned to put arrangements in place for an independent evaluation of the full night service pilot which is required by DHSC. For these reasons, BfN are currently the only provider who could deliver the full scope of service requirements at the required scale.

DHSC are exploring longer term solutions in respect to the ongoing provision of the NBH, and intend to conduct an open procedure in late Q2 or early Q3 of 2025/26 to source a replacement contract. To support this, DHSC intend to conduct market engagement at the end of Q1 or beginning of Q2 2025/26. A UK2 preliminary market engagement notice will be published to advertise any upcoming engagement.

More information

Attachments

Award information

Awarded date

28 March 2025

Contract start date

1 April 2025

Contract end date

31 March 2026

Total value of contract

£786,363

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

The Breastfeeding Network

Address

Unit 49, Sir James Clark Building, Abbeymill Business Centre, PA1 1TJ

Reference

None

Supplier is SME?

Yes

About the buyer

Contact name

Matt Land

Address

Quarry House
Leeds
LS2 7UE
United Kingdom

Email

ccsinbox@dhsc.gov.uk