NHS contracts for tender can seem daunting if you’re unfamiliar with the process. Public sector tendering in general can be a bit of a minefield and you’re bound to have plenty of questions. Notoriously, securing NHS contracts can be a rather lengthy and arduous procurement process. However, there is a constant and steady stream of NHS contracts for tender being released.
The NHS procures many goods, works and services via a range of different tendering procedures. NHS tenders are very diverse. They could range from the maintenance of lifts with their hospitals to the procurement of beds for patients.
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), Public Health England and NHS England are responsible for NHS procurement. Various streams within the NHS and government commission NHS contracts for tender. These include:
The NHS uses various NHS procurement hubs in order to buy whatever they need. Largely speaking this is done via framework agreements and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS).
A framework agreement allows for multiple suppliers on the same contract. They are often used when the buyer has a large scope in multiple locations. Having multiple suppliers across multiple locations can help meet demand and ensure the buyer’s client’s needs are met.
Frameworks often run for longer terms than single supplier contracts. Hopeful suppliers will have to pass the PQQ or SQ stage. Then they will need to pass the ITT in order to secure a place on a framework. Successful applications will then be awarded a place on a shortlist of chosen suppliers. After that, a buyer will then release an additional ITT or mini competition when they need something.
Suppliers on the framework agreement will then compete, submitting an ITT response. This saves time for both the supplier and the buyer. This is because they do not need to go through the PQQ stage again.
Goods and services on frameworks are often divided into multiple Lots. These can be for a specific good, service or location. Instead of being required to deliver all aspects of a contract, you only deliver your business’s speciality.
A DPS is almost the same as a framework agreement. The main difference is that you can apply to be a supplier on a DPS any time that it is open. They, too, can run for multiple years at a time.
NHS contracts for tender are awarded to the most economically advantageous tender, known as the MEAT. The MEAT does not mean that the cheapest bid wins. Buyers are looking at more than just price. Other aspects that they could be considered independently or in combinations are:
In short yes. Buyer’s care about the quality of your writing and NHS contracts are no exception. Overall weightings can vary, and your response is split between price and quality. Obviously, you want to score as highly as possible for both. In order to do this for your quality response, it’s not exactly ground-breaking that the quality of your writing matters.
A few things to consider when writing your response to NHS contracts for tender are:
Writing isn’t everyone’s strong suit, and that’s ok. If you have found NHS contracts for tender but don’t have time, our sister company, Hudson Succeed, can help. They boast an 87% success rate and have over 60 years of bidding experience collectively.
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You may be wondering where you can find NHS contracts for tender. You likely don’t have the time to trawl through various websites relying on inaccurate CPV codes. Our Healthcare Tenders portal can help streamline the process saving you time and resources.
Our Opportunity Trackers manually search thousands of sites for the latest healthcare leads and opportunities. They upload a whole range of opportunities such as NHS frameworks, DPS and single-provider contracts. Once they are uploaded to our portal, you can filter the results by budget, keyword, location and more.
A dedicated Account Manager is on-hand to answer any questions you may have about NHS contracts for tender. You’ll also receive a daily email bulletin straight to your inbox containing all the new healthcare tenders uploaded that day. This will save you even more time, allowing you to find the perfect NHS contract for your business.
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