National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS)
Estimated value
£36.0m
services
Awarded value
—
Suppliers
0
Lots
5
0 awarded
Published
29 May 2026
Deadline 17 Jul 2026
Description
NHS England is commissioning the National Specialist Medicines Service (NSMS) contract for 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with an option to extend for up to 12 months to 31 March 2031. The contract holders will support the implementation of national policies and priorities in medicines use and safety by developing cost-effective, standardised tools and processes that can be adopted and integrated locally. It will provide expert clinical quality assurance in medicines technical services and support the NHS to achieve optimum value from medicines budgets. In addition, it will provide clinical support for frontline service delivery in relation to medicines and enable the strategic commissioning of medicines-related services. The NSMS will provide essential information on the clinical and cost-effective use and supply of medicines at local and national level, helping to ensure patient access to essential treatment for a wide range of stakeholders and citizens. The contract is intended to reduce duplication at local level, allowing clinicians to spend more time with patients while supporting the consistent adoption of quality and value improvements. The tender is divided into five Lots as set out below. Tenderers may bid for any number of Lots and may be awarded any number of Lots. While the budgetary value of £36,000,000.00 ex VAT has been included in this notice, Tenderers should be aware that the optional extension period is subject to further budgetary approvals. Approval for the initial 3-year term has been granted on the basis of: Lot 1 Medicines Procurement annual budget £3,000,000 ex VAT Lot 2 Quality Assurance annual budget £3,000,000 ex VAT Lot 3 Medicines Optimisation annual budget £1,000,000 ex VAT Lot 4 Safer Medicines Use annual budget £1,000,000 ex VAT Lot 5 Co-ordination annual budget £1,000,000 ex VAT An additional budget of £1,000,000.00 ex VAT per annum is available for any ad hoc in-year work required over and above the service specification and will be commissioned as optional services. Tenderers should not rely on this additional funding or include it within their bids, as any such requirement will be agreed on a case-by-case basis through the Contract Change Request process set out in the contract. Tenderers will therefore be asked to submit a rate card for these optional services, which will be tested during tender evaluation by way of scenario testing. Full details of this tender, documents and the tender timetable will be made available via the NHSE e-procurement portal, Atamis - https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome. The tender will remain open for approximately 60 days to allow sufficient time for Tenderers to prepare and submit a response. Any clarification questions relating to the tender documentation must be submitted via the correspondence facility for project C403537. Please note that all clarification questions and responses will be circulated to all interested Tenderers, so questions should be anonymised by removing all identifiable information. All interested Tenderers are also required to have registered on the Central Digital Platform to allow a contract to be awarded to them and their details shared with NHSE as part of their bid response.
Scope
- Reference
- C403537
- Total value
- £36,000,000 excluding VAT£43,200,000 including VATAbove the relevant threshold
- Commercial tool
- Standalone contract
- Contract dates
- 31 Mar 2027 to 31 Mar 2030Possible extension to 31 Mar 2031
The Contract/s will contain an optional extension for an additional period of up to 12 months subject to additional budgetary approval. If the Authority wish to extend this contract it will do so by way of a contract variation utilising the Change Control Process set out within the contract and advertise the variation in line with the Procurement Act 2023.
- Main category
- services
- CPV classifications
- 85149000
- Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Award criteria
Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Methodology (Mandatory) | Evaluation Criterion: High-quality delivery methodology Question 1: (Mandatory question) Please describe how you would meet the requirements of the NHS England National Specialist Medicines Service Specification Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators Please provide your strategic approach explaining how you will meet the Authority's requirements set out in the Service Specification. Tenderers must provide a strategic approach for each element of the Lot/s they intend to bid on as per Service Specification details [as part of a separate tender response?]: Your strategic approach should include the following elements and should be explicit what lot it relates to: a) an outline of the delivery model and resources you intend to use to provide the Services from 1 April 2027 b) a high-level programme plan and associated activities including associated process maps e.g. personnel, premises, IT, monitoring etc. c) an organogram, which should include all key members of the team working on the project d) provide a high-level strategic approach milestone map (project plan for implementation). | quality | 15.00% |
| Implementation, Resourcing & Stakeholder Management (Mandatory) | Evaluation Criterion: Implementation, approach to resourcing and interaction with service end users and all associated stakeholder management * Question 2: (Mandatory question) Please explain how you will successfully mobilise the service to maintain service continuity for end users with minimal risk or expense to the Authority and engage with key stakeholders during the implementation period. Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators Please provide a Mobilisation Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy which should include the following: Mobilisation Plan the following elements: a) Mobilisation of staff, premises, and IT solutions. b) How you will aid the transfer of existing services to maintain service continuity c) Delivery details at local, regional and national level from the contractual start date. The Stakeholder Engagement Strategy should contain the following elements: a) Stakeholder/ end-user engagement approach / method. b) Interdependencies c) indicative programme and engagement plan and d) management and report structure. *the implementation plan will be finalised by the bidder and NHSE during the contract award period and then inserted at Schedule 5 of the contract. | quality | 10.00% |
| Risk Management (Mandatory) | Evaluation Criterion: Detailed Risk Management Strategy to manage and mitigate risks Question 3: (Mandatory question) Please provide a detailed risk management strategy for the successful delivery of the services. Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators The Risk Management Strategy should include the following elements: a) Risk identification: detail the top ten project risks; and b) Mitigation strategy: detail how risks will be identified, measured, tracked assessed and mitigated throughout the project c) Escalation process. | quality | 10.00% |
| Approach to programme delivery regarding supply chain and procurement | Evaluation criterion: Approach to programme delivery regarding supply chain and procurement Question 5: (Applies to Lot 1 bidders only) Please provide a detailed Programme Service Delivery Plan and explain how you will identify, build and maintain constructive relationships with key stakeholders at local, regional and national level. Key Stakeholders, in this instance, include NHS service users that procure required medicines. Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators The Programme Service Delivery Plan including timetable, milestones, dependencies, resourcing] should include following elements and demonstrate: a) Delivery approach to the national priorities of medicines use and procurement including supporting medicines shortages as specified in the service specification b) Details and key milestones of engagement exercises and working relationships required to deliver Lot 1 c) Details how you will you work across regions to standardise practice and respond to failures by NHS bodies to reach NHS England targets set out in the service specification d) Details how you will implement national priorities in medicines use, safety and procurement e) Details how will you support NHS bodies with operational responses to medicines shortages f) Details how you intend to share expertise and collaborate with other suppliers to offer the NHS a single authoritative answer to a system challenge e.g. a national medicine’s shortage | quality | 25.00% |
| Modern Slavery (Mandatory) | Evaluation Criterion: Social Value Theme 1 /MAC 1e: Fair work: that offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country Question 4a: (Mandatory question) Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) your organisation will make to deliver ?Identifying and managing the risks of modern slavery? Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators Please demonstrate the following: a) Activities that demonstrate and describe the supplier’s existing or planned activities to deliver Identifying and managing the risks of modern slavery via an assessment tool b) Demonstrate that the contract workforce: has access to an independent democratic trade union or other forms of worker representation and has access to grievance mechanisms to report incidents or suspected incidences of modern slavery relating to the contract through whistleblowing and reporting, including: - a process of escalation routes and access to grievance system - an action plan, with past evidence of how the organisation has/will respond including cooperating with police and victim organisations where appropriate. c) Number of staff who have completed modern slavery training within 90 days of joining the organisation. | quality | 2.50% |
| Health and Wellbeing (Mandatory) | Evaluation Criterion: Social Value Theme 8 /MAC 8a: Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: in the supply chain and communities in the relevant area Question 4b: (Mandatory question) Please set out, in a method statement and project plan, the specific, measurable and time bound commitment(s) your organisation will make to deliver ?Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: in the supply chain and communities in the relevant area? and the following Award. Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators Please demonstrate the following: a) Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, development practices and retention policies that support-focused activities including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing which support people with a disability or health condition b) Actions to invest in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the contract workforce c) Number of hours spent setting up and delivering staff health and wellbeing. | quality | 7.50% |
| Lot Implementation & Mobilisation Costs (one off) | Lot Implementation & Mobilisation Costs (one off) | cost | 1.00% |
| Lot Fixed Cost breakdown for initial 3 yrs plus 12 month optional extension | Lot Fixed Cost breakdown for initial 3 yrs plus 12 month optional extension | cost | 25.00% |
| Lot Scenario Testing of Rate Card for Optional Services | Lot Scenario Testing of Rate Card for Optional Services | cost | 4.00% |
| Delivery Methodology (Mandatory) | Evaluation Criterion: High-quality delivery methodology Question 1: (Mandatory question) Please describe how you would meet the requirements of the NHS England National Specialist Medicines Service Specification Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators Please provide your strategic approach explaining how you will meet the Authority's requirements set out in the Service Specification. Tenderers must provide a strategic approach for each element of the Lot/s they intend to bid on as per Service Specification details [as part of a separate tender response?]: Your strategic approach should include the following elements and should be explicit what lot it relates to: a) an outline of the delivery model and resources you intend to use to provide the Services from 1 April 2027 b) a high-level programme plan and associated activities including associated process maps e.g. personnel, premises, IT, monitoring etc. c) an organogram, which should include all key members of the team working on the project d) provide a high-level strategic approach milestone map (project plan for implementation). | quality | 15.00% |
| Implementation, Resourcing & Stakeholder Management (Mandatory) | Evaluation Criterion: Implementation, approach to resourcing and interaction with service end users and all associated stakeholder management * Question 2: (Mandatory question) Please explain how you will successfully mobilise the service to maintain service continuity for end users with minimal risk or expense to the Authority and engage with key stakeholders during the implementation period. Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators Please provide a Mobilisation Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy which should include the following: Mobilisation Plan the following elements: a) Mobilisation of staff, premises, and IT solutions. b) How you will aid the transfer of existing services to maintain service continuity c) Delivery details at local, regional and national level from the contractual start date. The Stakeholder Engagement Strategy should contain the following elements: a) Stakeholder/ end-user engagement approach / method. b) Interdependencies c) indicative programme and engagement plan and d) management and report structure. *the implementation plan will be finalised by the bidder and NHSE during the contract award period and then inserted at Schedule 5 of the contract. | quality | 10.00% |
| Risk Management (Mandatory) | Evaluation Criterion: Detailed Risk Management Strategy to manage and mitigate risks Question 3: (Mandatory question) Please provide a detailed risk management strategy for the successful delivery of the services. Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators The Risk Management Strategy should include the following elements: a) Risk identification: detail the top ten project risks; and b) Mitigation strategy: detail how risks will be identified, measured, tracked assessed and mitigated throughout the project c) Escalation process. | quality | 10.00% |
| Approach to programme delivery, technical method etc | Approach to programme delivery, technical method, supporting continuous improvement and quality control Evaluation criterion: Approach to programme delivery, technical method, supporting continuous improvement and quality control Question 6 (Applies to Lot 2 bidders only) Please provide a detailed Programme Implementation Delivery Plan and explain your experience/ expertise in quality assurance. Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators The Programme Implementation Delivery Plan [Including timetable, milestones, dependencies, resourcing] should include following elements and demonstrate: a) Delivery approach to the quality assurance service as specified in the service specification b) Details and key milestones of engagement exercises and working relationships required to deliver Lot 2 c) Details on experience, expertise and understanding of audit in NHS aseptic units. d) Details on the level of qualifications and experience in pharmaceutical quality assurance you have available to support the delivery detailed the service specification e) Details how you would manage the audit cycle for all medicines compounding and production activities in the NHS and trigger escalatory actions to support those units f) Examples of methods and metrics will you use to quality assure these services and how would you assess performance against standards, what would be the escalation route where standards are not met? g) Details how you would demonstrate how you would demark between advice and audit functions to eliminate bias in the audit process | quality | 25.00% |
| Approach to programme delivery and supporting continuous improvement | Evaluation criterion: Approach to programme delivery and supporting continuous improvement Question 7 (Applies to Lot 3 bidders only) Please provide a detailed Programme Implementation Delivery Plan and explain your experience /expertise in delivering lot 3 Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators The Programme Implementation Delivery Plan [Including timetable, milestones, dependencies, resourcing] should include following elements and demonstrate: a) Delivery approach to the Medicines Optimisation service as specified in the service specification b) Details and key milestones of engagement exercises and working relationships required to deliver Lot 3 c) Details on how you would implement a single national inquiry service for medicines inquiries from clinicians at all levels d) Details on how you will provide clinical/professional and credible expertise to influence and develop future strategies on medicines optimisation in the NHS e) Details on how you will communicate with the NHS to disseminate key information to stakeholders and clinicians f) Details on how the envisage will support primary and neighbourhood care medicines use | quality | 25.00% |
| Approach to programme delivery and continuous improvement | Evaluation criterion: Approach to programme delivery and continuous improvement Question 8 (Applies to Lot 4 bidders only) Please provide a detailed Programme Implementation Delivery Plan and explain your experience /expertise in delivering lot 4. Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators The Programme Implementation Delivery Plan Including timetable, milestones, dependencies, resourcing] should include following elements and demonstrate: a) Delivery approach to the Safer Medicines Use service as specified in the service specification b) Details and key milestones of engagement exercises and working relationships required to deliver Lot 4 c) How do you propose to support Medicines Safety Officers and regional counterparts d) Details how you will support the Support for the National Medicines Safety Improvement Programme e) Details how will you approach supporting new and under-recognised Medication Safety Issues and standards. | quality | 25.00% |
| Compliance with contract and Governance methodology | Evaluation criterion: Compliance with contract and Governance methodology Question 9 (Applies to Lot 5 bidders only) How you will coordinate delivery, use digital and technical solutions and communicate with providers of the other lots or within a consortium of all the functions. Guidance to Tenderers and Evaluators Please provide a Programme Implementation Delivery Plan and Digital and Technology strategy should include the following: The Programme Implementation Delivery Plan the following elements: a) Delivery approach to the coordination service as specified in the service specification b) Details and key milestones of engagement exercises and working relationships required to deliver Lot 5 c) Details on what experience you hold in leading and managing this kind of co-ordinating function ? give examples? d) Details how you plan to communicate with providers of the other lots or within a consortium of all the functions e) Details how do you plan to resolve any conflicts/duplication and support standardised delivery and reporting f) Proposed governance model The Digital and Technology Strategy the following elements: g) Details how will this be implemented to support the nationally delivered service, meeting Government standards in digital products and offering the best user interface/best practice in user experience h) Meeting information governance, GPDR and Cyber Essentials Security Certification compliance and Data Security and Protection Toolkit Certified | quality | 25.00% |
Participation
Conditions suppliers must meet to bid.
See instructions to Tender Document 1
Submission & procedure
- Enquiry deadline
- 02 Jul 2026, 4:00 pm
- Submission deadline
- 17 Jul 2026, 11:00 am
- Submission address
- The Contracting Authority is utilising an electronic Tendering system (“E-Tendering Portal”) to manage this procurement and communicate with Tenderers. Accordingly, there will be no hard copy documents issued to Tenderers and all communications with the Contracting Authority, including the submission of Tender responses will be conducted solely via the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome User Guide: https://services.atamis.co.uk/docs/Supplier_User_Guide.pdf
- Electronic submission
- Yes
- Procedure
- Open procedure
Lots · 5 total
Divisions of the contract. Each lot can be awarded separately.
| Lot | Title | Est. value | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lot 1 Medicines Procurement | £12.0m | active |
| 2 | Lot 2 Quality Assurance | £12.0m | active |
| 3 | Lot 3 Medicines Optimisation | £4.0m | active |
| 4 | Lot 4 Safer Medicines Use | £4.0m | active |
| 5 | Lot 5 Co-ordination | £4.0m | active |