Published date: 3 July 2020

Last edited date: 7 July 2020

This notice was replaced on 24 July 2020

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

Opportunity (published 24 July 2020, last edited 24 July 2020)

Closed early engagement


Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

M1 4BT

Procurement reference

NICE CYP

Published date

3 July 2020

Closing date

14 July 2020

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

NICE issued an invitation to tender document to "Contracts Finder" on the 13th March 2020. This tender related to a contract to "Recruit and facilitate focus groups to inform the development of NICE guidance on Social, emotional and mental wellbeing in primary and secondary education". However, on 18th March 2020, the UK government closed all schools to students (except for vulnerable children and young people [CYP] and CYP whose parents were key workers) due to the coronavirus pandemic. NICE withdrew the notice on the 20th March 2020.

Currently, some schools in England have reopened to students in very limited year groups and are operating under strict social distancing regimes. It is not clear how schools will operate from September and therefore, it is unclear to NICE, if any potential suppliers would be able to engage with CYP under the present situation. Therefore, the objectives of the pre-engagement meeting is to understand whether conducting focus groups with CYP is feasible in the current environment and if so, when and how this may be possible.

What NICE hopes to achieve from a discussion with potential suppliers

Clarity from potential suppliers on the feasibility of the contracted work under the current circumstances; specifically:
• Conducting the focus group work
• A reasonable timeframe
• Effective engagement with target groups

Interested suppliers capable of delivering these focus groups are invited to attend a collective Zoom meeting to discuss the issues that may affect the suppliers ability to deliver such focus groups and NICE's ability to produce and publish this guidance. For further information see the documents attached to this notice.

The date for the zoom meeting will be the 17th July 2020, it is expected this will be a 3-hour meeting in the morning, however times will be confirmed closer to the date. Please note the expected times may change.

All suppliers who wish to book a place at the pre-engagement meeting must email irene.walker@nice.org.uk no later than 12 noon on Tuesday 14th July 2020. You must include in your email:
• Names and email addresses of your full attendees list
• Name and nature of your company

NICE will send the Zoom registration invites to all interested parties no later than 5pm (GMT) on the Wednesday 15th July 2020, with instructions of how to access the Zoom meeting.

Suppliers must note that NICE will record this Zoom meeting. All parties (individuals) who register to take part will be informed of the information governance around the use of the data in the recorded Zoom meeting, prior to the meeting taking place.

More information

Attachments

Additional text

Interested suppliers capable of delivering these focus groups are invited to attend a collective Zoom meeting to discuss the issues that may affect the suppliers ability to deliver such focus groups and NICE's ability to produce and publish this guidance. For further information see the documents attached to this notice.

The date for the zoom meeting will be the 17th July 2020, it is expected this will be a 3-hour meeting in the morning, however times will be confirmed closer to the date. Please note the expected times may change.

All suppliers who wish to book a place at the pre-engagement meeting must email irene.walker@nice.org.uk no later than 12 noon on Tuesday 14th July 2020. You must include in your email:
• Names and email addresses of your full attendees list
• Name and nature of your company

NICE will send the Zoom registration invites to all interested parties no later than 5pm (GMT) on the Wednesday 15th July 2020, with instructions of how to access the Zoom meeting.

Suppliers must note that NICE will record this Zoom meeting. All parties (individuals) who register to take part will be informed of the information governance around the use of the data in the recorded Zoom meeting, prior to the meeting taking place.

About the buyer

Contact name

Irene Walker

Address

Level 1 City Tower
Piccadilly Plaza
Manchester
M1 4BT
England

Telephone

0161 870 3198

Email

irene.walker@nice.org.uk