WorkWell Service for NHS Essex ICB

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.

NHS 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 competitive procurement process for the provision of WorkWell, Work and Health Support Services on Thursday 6th August 2026 10:00hrs - 11.30hrs The Authority provides health and care to 1.9 million residents covering the geographical footprint of Essex, including Southend and Thurrock.

The commissioning model will comprise of Local WorkWell Partnerships and a single Essex-wide WorkWell Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service, with delivery designed around local government reorganisation footprints and strengthened access at key intervention points, including GP surgeries where Fit Notes are commonly created and maintained. The programme expects to include a WorkWell Assistance Programme that, in combination with Neighbourhood Work and Health Coaches, supports early intervention.

The Authority intends to procure the new 'WorkWell Service' provision and award appropriate contracts to suitable, technically capable providers. The market engagement event will offer an opportunity to engage with stakeholders and for prospective service providers to learn more about the services.

The procurement process and timetable will also be shared. The Market Engagement event will take place virtually via MS Teams Webinar on Thursday 6th August from 10.00hrs – 11.30hrs.

To express interest and participate in the Market Event, please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome The relevant documentation will be available within the “C460866 WorkWell Services” project. It is free to register on the Atamis portal and it can be accessed at any time of day providing you have a working internet connection.

The helpdesk is open Monday - Friday between 08:00 - 18:00 The deadline for expressions of interest is 17:30hrs on Wednesday 05th August 2026. If you have any questions, please send them through the message centre on the Atamis e-procurement portal.

The Authority has published this PIN to support market engagement for this WorkWell Services only. Any future procurement opportunities pertaining to these services, if undertaken, will be advertised with a separate call for competition via a relevant notice published in the Central Digital Platform (CDP) and all appropriate platforms, once final.

This notice has outlined an indicative aggregate contracts value of £5,000,000.00 for a contract period of 3 years (35 months) beginning in November 2026. This is an indication only and all details will be published in the appropriate platforms, including Find a Tender Service, and within the procurement documentation once finalised.

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.

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.

Please note: Commercially sensitive information and Freedom of Information Respondents’ views or submissions will not be individually identified or revealed to third parties. All information provided in this exercise will be treated in confidence and will NOT be considered in any future tender evaluation exercise.

Information gathered may be used in the development of the procurement approach and final Specification for the Service prior to the Invitation to Tender being issued in the future. Any information provided in response to this market engagement exercise marked as commercially sensitive will be treated as such.

Respondents are asked to identify any of the information supplied in the course of this exercise which should not be disclosed because of its sensitivity. In doing so respondents must specify the reasons for its sensitivity and specify the period for which the information will remain sensitive for the Authority’s records.

Respondents should seek their own legal advice on the application of freedom of information legislation. The Authority will consider statements of confidentiality and commercial sensitivity that are provided by respondents and will endeavour to consult with respondents about sensitive information before deciding on any FOI requests received, but the Respondent must make its own assessment and decision on these issues.

For avoidance of doubt, the final decision on any FOI request rests with the relevant public body, subject to applicable law. The service that this market engagement 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.

Additional information: To express interest and participate in the Market Event, please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome The relevant documentation will be available within the “C460866 WorkWell Services” project. The deadline for expressions of interest is 17:30hrs on Wednesday 05th August 2026. If you have any questions, please send them through the message centre on the Atamis e-procurement portal.