Market Engagement Notification - Provision of Occupational Health Services

Cleveland Fire Brigade, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service ("the Clients") are currently soft market testing with a view to exploring the possibility of working together and undertaking a collaborative procurement exercise for Occupational Health Services (OHS). The Clients understand the importance of keeping people well (physically and mentally) at work and the role of effective OHS in achieving that aim.

The Clients are therefore seeking a provider who would work proactively with their employees, line managers and Human Resources to ensure the delivery of effective OHS which will: • Maximize the health, well-being and efficiency of employees whilst minimising the risks to which they are exposed as a result of their working practices and the working environment. • Comply with the legislative provisions of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme Order 1992, the New Firefighters Pension Scheme Order 2006, the Modified Firefighters' Pension Scheme and the Firefighters Pension Scheme 2015, & associated Compensation Schemes Local Government Pension Compensation Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act and associated directives. • Comply with the relevant provisions of the Equality Act 2010 to include the employment provisions and the public sector equality duty. • Implement guidance provided by the document "Medical and Occupational Evidence for Recruitment and Retention in the Fire and Rescue Service 2004". • Work closely with Human Resources Department, Health and Safety Department and Fitness Advisors. • Proactive and flexible approach to the delivery of occupational health services, responding to the evolving and changing demands of the services in order to provide a long-term, quality, cost effective solution. • Seek innovative approaches to delivery of the occupational health activities and services to meet our requirements. This may include options for delivery such as mobile examination facilities, or delivery through evening sessions and health education at fire service premises.

To support the above objectives, the clients would like to conduct a market consultation in relation to this proposed procurement idea for OHS. The clients want to understand more about those suppliers who have knowledge and experience of delivering OHS and also the possible commercial benefits in collaborating on this type of service contract.

The Clients are therefore inviting any organisation that may be interested in this possible procurement opportunity to a 'Market engagement' event which will be held at the address below on 2nd March 2020 from 9.30am to 4.30pm. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters Belmont Business Park Durham DH1 1TW Additional information: On expressing their interest, suppliers will be allocated 45 minutes with the Project team to discuss this potential procurement opportunity as well as demonstrate their experience and capability.

The closing date to express your interest in attending is 12pm on 26th February 2020. The event is a pre procurement engagement only, seeking to understand supplier capability. This does not commit the clients to any future procurement exercise.