Eligible mental health service providers are invited to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) to codesign and deliver Universal Aftercare services within South Western Sydney to support people following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.
Eligible organisations can now submit their RFP to South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) until Monday, 11 November 2024.
Procurement overview
In 2022, suicide was the leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 24, with more than 3,200 lives lost across Australia. Men and First Nations people are particularly at risk, with men making up 75 per cent of suicide deaths and First Nations people being twice as likely to die by suicide.
SWSPHN currently commissions The Way Back service as the primary aftercare program in South Western Sydney, offering non-clinical psychosocial support for those who have attempted suicide or faced a suicidal crisis. This service will continue until September 2025, after which SWSPHN will transition to a new Universal Aftercare service under a bilateral agreement with the NSW Government.
Starting from April 2025, SWSPHN will commission a new Universal Aftercare service to continue providing assertive, non-clinical support. Through the co-design process and guidance from Aftercare Best Practice Guidelines, the provider will collaborate with SWSPHN and South Western Sydney Local Health District to ensure the service meets local needs. The program will focus on delivering person-centred and trauma-informed psychosocial support services for people following an attempted suicide or suicidal crisis.
Program principle
The service provider will:
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- promote strength and resilience by helping individuals build and maintain supportive social and family networks
- provide non-clinical psychosocial support which complements clinical care, offering practical assistance to ensure safe and connected living
- tailor support to each individual’s unique circumstances and needs following a suicide attempt or crisis
- deliver timely support immediately after a hospital or mental health service visit, addressing the heightened risk during this critical period
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Procurement timeline
Action | Date |
---|---|
Information session | Thursday, 31 October 2024 at 11am |
Last queries date | Wednesday, 6 November 2024 |
RFP closing date | Monday, 11 November 2024 at 5pm |
Evaluation period | November – December 2024 |
Recommendations to SWSPHN board and executive | February 2025 |
Successful applicant notified and contract negotiations | March 2025 |
Contract execution | Tuesday, 1 April 2025 |
Unsuccessful applicants notified | Tuesday, 1 April 2025 |
Establishment and Embedding Phase | Tuesday, 1 April 2025 – Tuesday 30 September 2025 |
Full implementation and service delivery commencement | Wednesday, 1 October 2025 |
Information session
Potential respondents are invited to attend an information session to receive an overview of the RFP, outcomes sought, the process for submission and to ask questions.
When: Thursday, 31 October 2024
Time: 11am
Register: Meeting Registration – Zoom
All questions and answers as well as PowerPoint slides, will be posted on Tenderlink within one week of the meeting.
Submission accepted via Tenderlink
This Request for Proposal is available on SWSPHN’s Tender Portal – Tenderlink: www.tenderlink.com/swsphn
Interested parties are encouraged to register for SWSPHN’s Tender Portal to ensure they:
- will receive email notifications when new procurement opportunities are published in relevant categories
- can access the online forum to address any questions about the program and procurement process
- can download and view procurement documentation electronically and
- will be able to submit applications through the e-tender box facility
Deadline for submissions is Monday, 11 November 2024 at 5pm.
Enquires
Enquiries regarding this notification can be directed to Amy Prince, Director of Planning and Performance care via Melissa McIntyre, melissa.mcintyre@swsphn.com.au