Published date: 27 January 2026

Open future opportunity - This means that the buyer is not yet ready to invite bid applications but early notification has been provided and some dialogue may be possible.


Approach to market date: 3 February 2026

Contract summary

Industry

  • Community health services - 85323000

Location of contract

East of England

Value of contract

£943,800

Procurement reference

tender_518526/1548104

Published date

27 January 2026

Approach to market date

3 February 2026

Contract start date

1 June 2026

Contract end date

31 May 2028

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to notify the market of the Market Engagement event only. This PIN is NOT a call for competition. (FTS Notice Number: 2026/S 000-007305 | FTS Notice Ref: 2026-350876)

NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (hereafter referred to as "the Authority") invites suitably qualified providers to attend a virtual Market Engagement event which will inform the market of the Authority's intention to undertake a procurement process for the provision 'Integrated Discharge Support Scheme: Pathway Zero (0)'

The Authority has published this PIN to support market engagement for this 'Integrated Discharge Support Scheme: Pathway Zero (0) Services only. Any future procurement opportunities pertaining to 'Integrated Discharge Support Scheme: Pathway Zero (0) Services', if undertaken, will be advertised with a separate call for competition via a relevant notice published in Find a Tender Service, once final.

The Market Engagement event will take place virtually via MS Teams on Tuesday 03rd February 2026 from 10:00am - 11:00am. The event will offer an opportunity to engage with stakeholders and for prospective service providers to learn more about the service. The procurement process and timetable will also be shared.

The provision of 'Integrated Discharge Support Scheme: Pathway Zero (0)' Services are support services for patients on Discharge Pathway Zero (0). The model will combine acute hospital in-reach and follow up community support. The Authority will outline their procurement process approach, which aims to be a competitive process to award a single contract to a single provider. Given the nature of the service, local presence and delivery in localities across Mid and South Essex will be important. The successful provider may seek to subcontract elements of the service where appropriate to VCFSE / SMEs.

The event will offer an opportunity to engage with commissioners and for prospective service providers to learn more about the service. The procurement process and timetable will also be shared.

To register interest in attending the engagement event please go to the e-procurement portal at: https://attain.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/ . Click on 'Register here' and follow the onscreen instructions. The relevant documentation will be available within the 'sq_132 - Market Engagement Event: Integrated Discharge Support Scheme: Pathway Zero (0) for NHS Mid and South Essex ICB' project.

The closing date for registering attendance is an hour before the event, which is 9:00am on Tuesday 03rd February 2026. The event will be recorded, and all materials will be shared with interested providers that have completed a formal expression of interest.

More information

Links

Additional text

Please Note: Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken by you prior to any subsequent procurement is a matter solely for your own commercial judgment. The Authority reserves the right to withdraw from the process at any time or to not tender the service(s) or to tender on a different basis. In such circumstances, and in any event, the Authority and/or its advisors shall not be liable for any costs or loss of expenses whatsoever incurred by any organisation, agent or subsidiary that may have contributed to any proposals submitted to this notice. Any and all information/documents are draft and subject to change. Under no circumstances should providers approach the Authority directly in relation to the service.

The service that this Prior Information Notice (PIN) relates is within scope of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). The Authority is bound only by the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 do not apply.

How to apply

Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.

About the buyer

Contact name

NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board

Address

Phoenix House, Christopher Martin Rd,
Basildon
SS14 3HG
England

Email

cariad.burgess@attain.co.uk

Website

https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk