1. The Mutuals in Health: Pathfinder Programme is a joint initiative between Cabinet Office (which is acting as the Contracting Authority) and, the Department for Health (DH).

2. The Pathfinder Programme, which is targeted at the health sector — including the acute health sector - has been designed to support NHS Foundation Trusts (FTs) and NHS Trusts to explore the viability and potential benefits of the mutual model for the entire Trust or significant parts of the Trust's services.

3. The Programme will support 9 pioneering Pathfinder Trusts, either individually or in partnership, through the provision of bespoke advisory support (purchased through this procurement).

4. This Procurement has been split into 9 Lots to deliver bespoke professional support to the 9 Pathfinder Trusts. The Services are further described in Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation. Potential Providers have the opportunity to bid for all or any combination of the 9 Lots. However in order to ensure the Mutuals in Health: Pathfinder Programme benefits from a wide range of ideas from a diverse range of providers, successful Suppliers may only be awarded a maximum of 2 Lots.

4. The 9 selected Pathfinder Trusts, participating in the Mutuals in Health: Pathfinder Programme are:

Lot 1 — Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Acute Trust)

Lot 2 — Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust (Mental health and learning disability Trust)

Lot 3 — Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (Acute Trust)

Lot 4 — Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Acute Trust)

Lot 5 — Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (Mental health and learning disability Trust)

Lot 6 — Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Specialist Trust)

Lot 7 — Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (Mental health and learning disability Trust)

Lot 8 — University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (Acute Trust)

Lot 9 — Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Acute Specialist)

5. A detailed description of the Services that the Potential Provider will be required to supply within each Lot is set out in full at Attachment 2 — Statement of Requirements of the Invitation to Tender.