£1M CYPMHS Eating Disorder Contract Awarded to First Steps ED

Contract

The Provision of a Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) Early Help Eating Disorder Service

• Hertfordshire County Council F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-036329

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0687e3

Published 21 April 2026, 5:10pm

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Contents

one. Contracting authority Press escape key to exit two. Object four. Procedure five. Award of contract six. Complementary information

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Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Hertfordshire County Council

County Hall

Hertford

SG138DQ

Email

strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKH23 - Hertfordshire

Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services

Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

The Provision of a Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) Early Help Eating Disorder Service

Reference number

HCC2617687

two.1.2) Main CPV code

Health services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

For the provision of a Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) Early Help Eating Disorder Service.

The Early Help Eating Disorder Service provides NICE‑recommended, evidence‑based and evidence‑informed interventions for children and young people (CYP) aged 5-18 who are suspected to have, or be developing, eating difficulties or eating disorders, including related concerns. The service offers timely early intervention to prevent deterioration, promote recovery and resilience, and reduce the need for referral to specialist eating disorder services.

Delivered as a community‑based early help offer, the service responds flexibly to the evolving needs of CYP and their families. It adopts an innovative, holistic and person‑centred approach, ensuring that CYP and families are actively involved in decision‑making throughout their care. Accessibility and partnership working are central to the model, supporting positive outcomes through tailored, evidence‑based support.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £1,000,000

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes

• UKH23 - Hertfordshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The service is for the provision of a Children and Young Peoples' Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) Eating Disorder Service.

The Council is intending to award this contract to our existing provider following Direct Award Process C under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR.)

The contract will commence on 1st June 2026 until 31st May 2028 with the option to extend for 1 plus 1 years until 31st May 2030. (Maximum 4 years total.)

The approximate life time value of this contract is stated in II.1.7 above and includes the value of any possible extensions.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard / Weighting: 100

Price - Weighting: 0

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

There is the option to extend the contract for one (1) year plus one (1) year subject to available funding and satisfactory performance at the discretion of the Council.

Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below

• The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations Explanation:

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Regulations 2024 do not apply to this award.

The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period.

Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 5th May 2026.

This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No

Section five. Award of contract

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

16 April 2026

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 1

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

First Steps ED

Woburn House, Vernongate,

Derby

DE1 1UL

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

• UKF11 - Derby

Charity Commission (England and Wales)

1185092

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £1,000,000

Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Regulations 2024 do not apply to this award.

The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period.

Representations must be made to decision makers by 5th May 2026.

The contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice services as an intention to award under the PSR.

Written representations should be sent to:

strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Details of individuals making the award decision:

CYPMHS Clinical Commissioning Manager

Senior Development Manager

CYPMHS Senior Commissioning Manger

Herts & West Essex MHST Commissioning Officer

Deputy Head of Service IHCCT: CYPMHS Commissioning and Design

The existing provider is satisfying the existing contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract. The provider has been assessed against the relevant 5 key criteria and has passed the requirements.

There were no conflicts of interest identified.

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Independent Choice and Procurement Panel

Wellington House

London

SE1 8UG

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

The Council will enter into an 8 working day standstill period following publication of this Contract Award Notice before officially awarding the contract in line with the requirements under PSR.