NHS Business Services Authority - NHS Supply Chain Future Operating Model - Category Towers Procurement Services

A current contract between the Authority and its incumbent provider (which trades as 'NHS Supply Chain')relating to the procurement and supply chain of goods in the NHS is due to expire on 30 September 2018.As part of the Future Operating Model the Authority is seeking to award ten (10) contracts for the provision of procurement services for each of the defined Category Towers. The procurement for these contracts will be conducted in two (2) Tranches, as detailed in the Invitation to Compete ("ITC"), a copy of which can be obtainedfrom the e-Sourcing Portal as described below or the Government Contracts Finder.

Each contract will be for an initial thirty six month (36) period (excluding the implementation period) and maybe extended for up to two additional twelve (12) month periods, subject to meeting the relevant criteria set out in the contract. The total operative period of the contract, following implementation, shall not exceed sixty (60) months. Suppliers should note the contract start and end dates are different for the two tranches and therefore dates within the tender documents are the more accurate dates rather than the ones in this Contracts Finder notice.

Additional information: The contracts resulting from this procurement will be executed by the NHS Business Services Authority ("the Authority"). This procurement is being run by the Department of Health on behalf of the Authority. The Authority is publishing the ITC and the draft contract through its e-Sourcing Portal with this notice. However, it reserves the right to reissue these documents with any refinements to the ITC at the commencement of the Award Phase (as defined in the ITC).

Any questions regarding this notice must be sent to the Authority using the Clarification Question Submission

This procurement exercise will be completed via the Department of Health's e-Sourcing Portal. Potential providers should visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health/about/procurement to register on the e-Sourcing Portal and download instructions on how to respond to this opportunity. All final responses must be submitted using the e-Sourcing Portal. The e-Sourcing Portal reference number for this exercise is EOI60349

If you require assistance, please contact the Supplier Helpdesk on +44 1132545777 orsupplier.helpdesk@dh.gsi.gov.uk . This helpdesk is available from 10:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays.

This procurement exercise is being conducted in two Tranches as described in the ITC. Note the submission date in this notice relates to Tranche 1 Selection Phase - additional dates for Tranche 2 Selection Phase are available within the ITC.

The Authority reserves the right to terminate the procurement process (or part of it), to change the basis of and the procedures for the procurement process at any time, or to procure the subject matter of the contract(s) by alternative means if it appears that it can be more advantageously procured by alternative means. The Authority may, at its sole discretion, modify the ITC (including any part of it) by amendments in writing, including extending the deadline for receipt of tender responses.

Tenders and all supporting documentation for the contract must be priced in sterling and written in English. Any agreement entered into will be considered a contract made in England according to English law and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

The costs of responding to the ITC and participation in the procurement will be borne by each applicant.