Award

National Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Enablement and Transformation Solutions

COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 Feb 2026 at 10:20

Award

09 Feb 2022 at 15:03

Tender

20 Oct 2021 at 08:16

Summary of the contracting process

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Commercial Procurement Service is extending its National Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Enablement and Transformation Solutions, with a current procurement stage at the award phase. This framework is aimed at facilitating digital transformation across the NHS and the wider public sector by offering agile technological solutions and a managed service for scalable local solutions. The extension announced in February 2026 adds an additional 12 months with an option for a further 12 months, potentially extending the agreement to February 2028. The procurement method utilised is an open procedure (above the threshold), with the contract originally awarded to FORTRUS LIMITED, starting on 9th February 2022 with an initial end date of 8th February 2026. The industry category is primarily centred on IT services, computer equipment, and supplies, with the framework applicable across the United Kingdom.

This extension provides substantial opportunities for technology firms, especially those specialising in informatics services, to engage in a high-value contract amounting to £10 billion GBP. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, given their suitability criteria. This tender is well-suited for businesses that deliver innovative digital solutions, consulting, and support services within the IT industry. By joining this framework, companies can significantly increase their market footprint and contribute to the digital evolution of the NHS and other public sector bodies. This procurement allows businesses to amplify their presence while investing in scalable, future-ready technology frameworks.

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Notice Title

National Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Enablement and Transformation Solutions

Notice Description

Update February 2026: This notice is being published to extend the duration of the framework agreement only. All other aspects of the Contract Award Notice (reference 2022/S 000-003799) published in February 2022 remain the same. This framework agreement will extended for an initial period of 12 months, with the option to extend for a further 12 months. This will give a total possible extension of 24 months. A further notice will be published if the optional further 12 month month extension is taken. ====================================================== The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Commercial Procurement Service wishes to establish a new framework to enable and support continued digital transformation within the NHS and wider public sector. The purpose of this Framework is to enable a provider to supply both agile technological solutions and also harness and deliver scalable solutions developed at a local level, under a managed service. The successful supplier will be a provider of technology and informatics services, who will support client organisations in delivering the digital transformation. The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Commercial Procurement Service anticipates appointing the highest scoring Tenderer (which has met the minimum requirements which are set out in these ITT documents) to supply the services detailed within the specification at SCHEDULE A FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT SPECIFICATION. Additional information: Suppliers Instructions How to Express Interest and bid for this ITT: 1. Browse to the esourcing portal https://www.nhssourcing.co.uk (https://www.nhssourcing.co.uk) and click on view current opportunities 2. Select the title of the ITT. 3. Review the ITT, Framework Agreement Specification, Prerequisites and List of Eligible Users (you may do this without registering). 4. Register your organisation on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once). 5. Accept the portal terms and conditions and click 'continue', Enter yourorganisation and user details, Note the username you chose and click 'Save' whencomplete. You will shortly receive an e-mail with your unique password (please keepthis secure). 6. Login to the portal with the username/password. 7. Click the 'PQQs/ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link. (These are Pre QualificationQuestionnaires or Invitations to Tender open to any registered supplier) 8. Click on the relevant PQQ/ITT to access the content. 9. Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of the page. This will move thePQQ/ITT into your 'My PQQs/My ITTs' page. (This is a secure area reserved for yourprojects only). You can now access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments'in the 'PQQ/ITT Details' box. 10. Responding to the ITT. Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ/ITT Details', you canchoose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining) You can now use the Messages function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification. Note the deadline for completion, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the ITT. There may be a mixture of online and offlineactions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available) You must thensubmit your reply using the 'Submit Response' button at the top of the page. If yourequire any further assistance please consult the online help, or contact the Tendering help desk.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-c40718f7-fae9-4e3b-a2cf-c125f634c8c1
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/429733fb-db7d-42b7-a9c3-196d0e11421b
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support


CPV Codes

30200000 - Computer equipment and supplies

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£10,000,000,000 Over £10B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Nov 2021Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Feb 20224 years ago
Contract Period
9 Feb 2022 - 8 Feb 2027 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Additional Buyers

COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHESTER
Postcode
CH2 1UL
Post Town
Chester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Upton
Westminster Constituency
Chester North and Neston

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FORTRUS

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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