About the HSCNI Medical & Dental Agency Workers Framework
This framework is an excellent opportunity for medical and dental agencies and labour suppliers in Northern Ireland. It covers the supply of medical and dental agency workers for ad-hoc as well as short term assignments. These are generally to fill gaps in resourcing or peaks in demand. The framework covers a number of trusts in Northern Ireland including:
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Southern Health and Social Care Trust
- Western Health and Social Care Trust
The nominal contract duration is 24 months. However, there are extension periods which could see the contract being extended to four years. Therefore, it’s an excellent and critical opportunity for agency providers in Northern Ireland (as well as in the rest of the UK) to secure a solid stream of potential work through the framework.
They are expecting that approximately 200 agencies may be awarded to the framework. Our team of bid writers have experience writing bids for these types of frameworks and can certainly help you respond.
Due dates
The clarification deadline is 3:00pm, 14 March 2025 whilst the deadline for submission is 3pm on the 25th of March 2025.
What lots are available to bid for and what is the structure?
The tender covers agency recruitment supply and has split this into two separate lots. Depending on the nature of your business activities, you can bid for one of or both lots. The lots are:
- Lot 1: FY1, FY2, CT1, CT2, ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, Specialty Doctors. The value is very high (£135,000,000) meaning this is an exceptional opportunity and high value contract.
- Lot 2: Consultants, Specialists, Associate Specialists. The value will exceed £165,000,000.
The tender covers the recruitment of professionals across a broad range of specialties including all categories of dentists and a broad range of doctors such as doctors in surgery, obstetrics/gynaecology and laboratory medicines.
What criteria do you need to meet to quality
The bid / no bid decision is critical and you will need to meet a number of criteria in order to qualify for the bid / contract. Examples of these include:
- Modern slavery requirement compliance
- Name and provide a responsible officer
- Ensure you are not ‘excluded
- Have gender balance
- Provide the required referees (three required) with relevant similar experience
- Employers Liability, Public Liability and PI insurance (10M each)
Writing to win – what are the evaluation criteria to ensure you score well
The evaluation criteria is similar to most tenders with technical and financial questions. There are the usually eligibility questions which are all yes/no and past fail. Then there are:
- Technical questions which over 60% of the marks and another 10% for social value. We have seen many clients put forward weak responses to social value over the years and lost contracts over it. So ensure you put adequate focus on these questions.
- Financial questions which 30% of the weighting criteria.
You can register for and download the document here: https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
How Tsaks Consulting can help you win
Our team of bid writers has extensive experience writing medical and dental bids. We also have strong experience in writing recruitment and agency bids which puts us in a strong position to help you win. We can help you:
- Write your bid or framework application for you
- Review your draft response and provide feedback
- Help you write the social value response only.
Contact our team of bid writers today here at Tsaks Consulting to talk about how we can assist!