Healthy Start Vitamin Scheme

The Department of Health is looking to engage with suppliers regarding the re-procurement of the Healthy Start vitamins Scheme (HSVS). The children’s vitamin product is currently licenced as a medicine with a General Sales Product licence. Following stakeholder engagement internally and externally the Department has decided that the children’s vitamins shall now be manufactured as a food supplement. The new model now has three(3) potential contracts A brief description of each potential contract is set out in the attached Suppliers Day document attached to this advert. the DH welcomes the participation of SME's.

Lot No: 1 Manufacture of Children's Vitamins. The requirement is to manufacture children's vitamins. The Department is looking for suppliers who can respond to the minimum aspects of the requirement which can be accessed Please refer to the Suppliers Day document attached to this advert. Suppliers to be in place so delivery can commence in September 2018. The vitamins are for Healthy Start recipients but there is also the option to make available to non-recipients. The requirement has previously been manufactured as a licensed medicine but recently following extensive engagement with internal and external stakeholders the Department has made the decision to manufacture the vitamins as a food supplement. Initial thoughts are that the contract shall be for three (3) years with an option to extend for up to an additional two (2) years. The Department seeks suppliers improvement suggestions.

Lot No: 2 Manufacture of Women's vitamins - The requirement is to manufacture of women's vitamins. The Department is looking for suppliers who can respond to the minimum aspects of the requirement which is attached to this advert. The Department is looking to have suppliers in place so delivery can commence in September 2018. The requirement is to manufacture the vitamins for Healthy Start recipients but there is also the option to make available to non-recipients. The requirement is a food supplement. Initial thoughts are that the contract shall be for three (3) years with an option to extend for up to an additional two (2)years. The Department also seeks suppliers’ improvement.

Lot No: 3 Storage and distribution of vitamins - The requirement is to store and distribute the women's and children's vitamins. Suppliers are likely to be required to distribute the two vitamins to various NHS entities, Public sector organisations as well as commercial outlets from Sept 2018. The Department is looking for suppliers who can respond to the minimum aspects of the requirement which is attached to this advert.

A supplier event will be held on Tuesday 5th July 2016 in London, starting at 10.30 and ending at 12.30pm(registration from 10.00). Those suppliers that have an interest in engaging with the Authority should express an interest via email to sam.richman@dh.gsi.gov.uk and Kerry.johnson@dh.gsi.gov.uk Contract delivery is to the United Kingdom.

Additional information: Suppliers are reminded that full delivery of the Scheme will begin Sept 2018 hence the £1,100,000 approx. spend figure for that year. Sept 2017 - 2018 will be utilised for product testing and sign off.