NHS Shared Business Services to hold preliminary market engagement for £240m framework agreement

The framework agreement is to be divided into the following lots:

1. Governance, structure, transformation & public law
2. Healthcare & mental health
3. Employment
4. Procurement, commercial & contract
5. Property & construction
6. Technology & e-commerce, including IP & media law
7. Corporate finance, audit & insurance
8. Criminal
9. Legal recovery & collection
10. Counsel
11. Multi-disciplinary support

NHS SBS said the aim of the preliminary market engagement exercise with suppliers is “to gather market insight, assess supplier capability, and test the relevance of proposed lots before finalising the Lot and commercial structure, Specification and launching a formal procurement process”.

The organisation has issued a questionnaire for those companies wishing to participate in the preliminary market engagement. It may then host open virtual forums (such as webinars) to engage further with the market following analysis of PMEQ responses.

It said: “We are committed to working with suppliers who are dedicated to Sustainability and Social Value and there will be a significant weighting on this within the procurement documents.

“NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) act in an Agency capacity for and on behalf of its customers (Approved Organisations) - existing and new. These comprise of NHS and social care organisations (whether acting individually, or on behalf of, or together as members of any consortia) along with any other public or private sector bodies which NHS SBS authorises to use the resulting Framework.”

The new contract is expected to run from 10 November 2027 to 9 November 2031.