Award

Community hearing aids service for age-related hearing loss - C378303

NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

22 Jan 2026 at 15:31

TenderUpdate

12 Aug 2025 at 07:54

Tender

07 Aug 2025 at 13:55

Planning

11 Apr 2025 at 12:25

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board has concluded the procurement process for the provision of community hearing aids services for age-related hearing loss, awarding the contract under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. This service is specifically targeted at adults aged 55 and over within the region classified as UKJ2, covering East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove. The contract, valued at approximately £65 million for a potential 10-year duration, aims to ensure efficient delivery of hearing aid services, with the initial term starting on 1st April 2026 for seven years, extendable for an additional three years. The procurement process followed the 'Open procedure' methodology, and the procurement stage has now reached completion with a confirmed award status as of 22nd January 2026.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for business growth, particularly for providers experienced in delivering services aligned with national guidelines such as the Improving Quality In Physiological Diagnostic Services (IQIPS). It is particularly suitable for organisations capable of maintaining flexible, high-quality service provision as the contract guarantees no minimum activity — service participation is driven by patient choice and volume of referrals. Providers like large-scale healthcare service companies could benefit from this opportunity, leveraging the potential revenue based on patient activity. Successful suppliers, including Audiological Science Ltd, Modality LLP, Scrivens Ltd, and Specsavers Optical Superstores Limited, underscore the competitive nature and potential for substantial business development in the healthcare services industry.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Community hearing aids service for age-related hearing loss - C378303

Notice Description

NHS Sussex has awarded this contract to suitably qualified and experienced providers for the delivery of community-based hearing aid services for adults aged 55 and over. Eligible providers have been accredited to deliver services as part of an AQP multi-provider model. Successful providers have been awarded contracts via Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process B. No minimum activity is guaranteed for accredited providers - each provider's participation depends on patient choice and referral volume. Individual Provider contracts will be zero value and any payments made will be based on activity performed. The annual service value total for all current AQP Providers (23/24 outturn) was approx PS6.5m. So, for 7 years + 3 year option = PS65,000,000.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Sussex has awarded this contract to suitably qualified and experienced providers for the delivery of community-based hearing aid services for adults aged 55 and over. Eligible providers have been accredited to deliver services as part of an AQP multi-provider model. Successful providers have been awarded contracts via Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process B. The initial contract duration will be 7 years commencing on 1 April 2026, with the option to extend for a further 3 years, offered via an NHS standard contract. The Commissioner reserves the right to further extend the contract beyond the 10-year maximum duration subject to: a. The requirements of Provider Selection Regime Process B. b. Re-confirmation of an applicant's accreditation status. Aims and objectives: The overall ambitions of NHS Sussex in commissioning this service are: * To strengthen our contribution to prevention and reduce health inequalities * To promote patient education, self-management and empowerment; * To improve the quality and safety of care and outcomes improvement; * To support people to age well - falls prevention, healthy and active ageing, addressing loneliness, isolation and supporting independence and reducing the need for intervention; * Integrated working with patients, carers and the local community and voluntary sector. The aims of the service are for people with hearing problems to have: * access to high quality, safe and efficient NHS hearing aids services, with short waiting times and high responsiveness to the needs of local communities, free at the point of access; * choice as to where and when their treatment is delivered The key objectives of this service are to: * Improve public health and occupational health through treatment of hearing loss * Provide equitable access to consistently high-quality care for all patients using the service * Encourage identification, diagnosis and management of age-related hearing loss through improved patient and professional education, including timely signposting to lip reading classes and assistive technologies and other rehabilitation services * Promote inclusion and participation of people who have hearing loss * Be compliant with clinical guidance and good practice * Conform to the recognised quality assurance tool Improving Quality In Physiological Diagnostic Services (IQIPS) The expected outcomes of the service are: * Timely access to hearing assessment, fitting and follow-up * High proportion of patients continuing to wear hearing aids * High levels of satisfaction from patients accessing the service and health professionals referring into the service * Reduced social isolation and consequent mental ill health * Improved quality of life for patients, their families/carers and communication partners. Service Requirements: Providers should be able to offer a comprehensive, patient centred service for adults aged 55 and over with suspected or diagnosed hearing loss related with age, encompassing: * Hearing assessment * Hearing aid fitting and calibration to national guidelines * After care: maintenance, repairs, consumables (batteries, tubing), and follow-up reviews Providers are required to conform to the recognised quality assurance tool Improving Quality In Physiological Diagnostic Services (IQIPS). IQIPs accreditation must be achieved (or demonstrate willingness to achieve accreditation within 18 months of contract award). No minimum activity is guaranteed for accredited providers - each provider's participation depends on patient choice and referral volume. Individual Provider contracts will be zero value and any payments made will be based on activity performed. The annual service value total for all current AQP Providers (23/24 outturn) was approx PS6.5m. So, for 7 years + 3 year option = PS65,000,000.

Options: This contract has a 7 year (84 month) initial term. The Commissioner at its sole discretion can extend this contract for up to an additional period of up to 3 years (36 additional months). The Commissioner reserves the right to further extend the contract beyond the 10-year maximum duration subject to: a. The requirements of Provider Selection Regime Process B. b. Re-confirmation of an applicant's accreditation status.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05017d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005871-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

33185000 - Hearing aids

85121240 - ENT or audiologist services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£65,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
31 May 2025Expired
Award Date
19 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Maggie Czapiewska
Contact Email
maggie.czapiewska1@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LEWES
Postcode
BN7 2FZ
Post Town
Brighton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Delivery Location
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex

Local Authority
Lewes
Electoral Ward
Lewes Bridge
Westminster Constituency
Lewes

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
4
Supplier Names

AUDIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

MODALITY

SCRIVENS

SPECSAVERS OPTICAL SUPERSTORES

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05017d-2026-01-22T15:31:10Z",
    "date": "2026-01-22T15:31:10Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05017d",
    "description": "This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) confirmation of contract award notice. This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. Award Decision Makers: Deputy Chief Delivery and Strategy Officer, Director of Strategic Commissioning, NHS Sussex ICB Conflicts of Interest: No conflicts of interest have been identified in the awarding of this contract.",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "C378303",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Community hearing aids service for age-related hearing loss - C378303",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "85121240",
            "description": "ENT or audiologist services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "NHS Sussex has awarded this contract to suitably qualified and experienced providers for the delivery of community-based hearing aid services for adults aged 55 and over. Eligible providers have been accredited to deliver services as part of an AQP multi-provider model. Successful providers have been awarded contracts via Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process B. No minimum activity is guaranteed for accredited providers - each provider's participation depends on patient choice and referral volume. Individual Provider contracts will be zero value and any payments made will be based on activity performed. The annual service value total for all current AQP Providers (23/24 outturn) was approx PS6.5m. So, for 7 years + 3 year option = PS65,000,000.",
        "value": {
            "amount": 65000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "NHS Sussex has awarded this contract to suitably qualified and experienced providers for the delivery of community-based hearing aid services for adults aged 55 and over. Eligible providers have been accredited to deliver services as part of an AQP multi-provider model. Successful providers have been awarded contracts via Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process B. The initial contract duration will be 7 years commencing on 1 April 2026, with the option to extend for a further 3 years, offered via an NHS standard contract. The Commissioner reserves the right to further extend the contract beyond the 10-year maximum duration subject to: a. The requirements of Provider Selection Regime Process B. b. Re-confirmation of an applicant's accreditation status. Aims and objectives: The overall ambitions of NHS Sussex in commissioning this service are: * To strengthen our contribution to prevention and reduce health inequalities * To promote patient education, self-management and empowerment; * To improve the quality and safety of care and outcomes improvement; * To support people to age well - falls prevention, healthy and active ageing, addressing loneliness, isolation and supporting independence and reducing the need for intervention; * Integrated working with patients, carers and the local community and voluntary sector. The aims of the service are for people with hearing problems to have: * access to high quality, safe and efficient NHS hearing aids services, with short waiting times and high responsiveness to the needs of local communities, free at the point of access; * choice as to where and when their treatment is delivered The key objectives of this service are to: * Improve public health and occupational health through treatment of hearing loss * Provide equitable access to consistently high-quality care for all patients using the service * Encourage identification, diagnosis and management of age-related hearing loss through improved patient and professional education, including timely signposting to lip reading classes and assistive technologies and other rehabilitation services * Promote inclusion and participation of people who have hearing loss * Be compliant with clinical guidance and good practice * Conform to the recognised quality assurance tool Improving Quality In Physiological Diagnostic Services (IQIPS) The expected outcomes of the service are: * Timely access to hearing assessment, fitting and follow-up * High proportion of patients continuing to wear hearing aids * High levels of satisfaction from patients accessing the service and health professionals referring into the service * Reduced social isolation and consequent mental ill health * Improved quality of life for patients, their families/carers and communication partners. Service Requirements: Providers should be able to offer a comprehensive, patient centred service for adults aged 55 and over with suspected or diagnosed hearing loss related with age, encompassing: * Hearing assessment * Hearing aid fitting and calibration to national guidelines * After care: maintenance, repairs, consumables (batteries, tubing), and follow-up reviews Providers are required to conform to the recognised quality assurance tool Improving Quality In Physiological Diagnostic Services (IQIPS). IQIPs accreditation must be achieved (or demonstrate willingness to achieve accreditation within 18 months of contract award). No minimum activity is guaranteed for accredited providers - each provider's participation depends on patient choice and referral volume. Individual Provider contracts will be zero value and any payments made will be based on activity performed. The annual service value total for all current AQP Providers (23/24 outturn) was approx PS6.5m. So, for 7 years + 3 year option = PS65,000,000.",
                "status": "cancelled",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 2520
                },
                "hasRenewal": false,
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "This contract has a 7 year (84 month) initial term. The Commissioner at its sole discretion can extend this contract for up to an additional period of up to 3 years (36 additional months). The Commissioner reserves the right to further extend the contract beyond the 10-year maximum duration subject to: a. The requirements of Provider Selection Regime Process B. b. Re-confirmation of an applicant's accreditation status."
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Patient choice",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "100"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "0"
                        }
                    ]
                }
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ2"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ2"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ2"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "Patients within NHS Sussex ICB geographic footprint."
                },
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "33185000",
                        "description": "Hearing aids"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-06-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionMethod": [
            "written"
        ],
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "suitability",
                    "description": "Conform to the recognised quality assurance tool Improving Quality In Physiological Diagnostic Services (IQIPS). IQIPs accreditation must be achieved (or demonstrate willingness to achieve accreditation within 18 months of contract award).",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                }
            ]
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "economic",
                "documentType": "economicSelectionCriteria"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-09-02T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-09-02T12:15:00+01:00"
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2025-09-02T12:15:00+01:00"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false,
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "unstructuredChanges": [
                    {
                        "oldValue": {
                            "date": "2025-09-02T12:00:00+01:00"
                        },
                        "newValue": {
                            "date": "2025-09-15T12:00:00+01:00"
                        },
                        "where": {
                            "section": "II.1.4",
                            "label": "Date of submission"
                        }
                    }
                ],
                "description": "Submission date for bids has been changed from 2nd September 2025 at 12pm (Noon) to 15th September 2025 at 12pm (Noon). These changes will affect the following sections: II.1.4 II.2.4 IV.2.2 IV.2.7"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-NHS-QNX",
            "name": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board",
                "id": "QNX",
                "scheme": "GB-NHS"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Sackville House, Brooks Close",
                "locality": "Lewes",
                "region": "UKJ2",
                "postalCode": "BN7 2FZ",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "maggie.czapiewska1@nhs.net",
                "url": "https://atamis-1928.my.site.com/s/Welcome",
                "name": "Maggie Czapiewska"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Body governed by public law"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "07",
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Health"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-106693",
            "name": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Sackville House, Brooks Close",
                "locality": "Lewes",
                "postalCode": "BN7 2FZ",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-12688",
            "name": "NHS England",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "NHS England"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Skipton House, 80 London Road",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SE1 6LH",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "mediationBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.england.nhs.uk/"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-09109538",
            "name": "Audiological Science Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Audiological Science Ltd",
                "id": "09109538",
                "scheme": "GB-COH"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "20 Falkland Avenue",
                "locality": "London",
                "region": "UKI",
                "postalCode": "N3 1QR",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-OC422179",
            "name": "Modality LLP",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Modality LLP",
                "id": "OC422179",
                "scheme": "GB-COH"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Granville House, 2 Tettenhall Road",
                "locality": "Wolverhampton",
                "region": "UKG",
                "postalCode": "WV1 4SB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-00377588",
            "name": "Scrivens Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Scrivens Ltd",
                "id": "00377588",
                "scheme": "GB-COH"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Scrivens House, 60 Islington Row, Middleway",
                "locality": "Birmingham",
                "region": "UKG31",
                "postalCode": "B15 1PH",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-NHS-01721624",
            "name": "Specsavers Optical Superstores Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Specsavers Optical Superstores Limited",
                "id": "01721624",
                "scheme": "GB-NHS"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Forum 6, Solent Business Park, Whiteley",
                "locality": "Hampshire",
                "region": "UKJ3",
                "postalCode": "PO15 7PA",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-125801",
            "name": "NHS Sussex ICB",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "NHS Sussex ICB"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Sackville House, Brooks Close",
                "locality": "Lewes",
                "postalCode": "BN7 2FZ",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-169424",
            "name": "NHSE",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "NHSE"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "80 London Road",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SE1 6LH",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "mediationBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-NHS-QNX",
        "name": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board"
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "005871-2026-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-09109538",
                    "name": "Audiological Science Ltd"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "005871-2026-2",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-OC422179",
                    "name": "Modality LLP"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "005871-2026-3",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-00377588",
                    "name": "Scrivens Ltd"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "005871-2026-4",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-NHS-01721624",
                    "name": "Specsavers Optical Superstores Limited"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "005871-2026-1",
            "awardID": "005871-2026-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 1,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-12-19T00:00:00Z"
        },
        {
            "id": "005871-2026-2",
            "awardID": "005871-2026-2",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 1,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-12-19T00:00:00Z"
        },
        {
            "id": "005871-2026-3",
            "awardID": "005871-2026-3",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 1,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-12-19T00:00:00Z"
        },
        {
            "id": "005871-2026-4",
            "awardID": "005871-2026-4",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 1,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-12-19T00:00:00Z"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 4
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 4
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 4
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 1
            }
        ]
    }
}