Award

Oral Nutritional Supplements - REFRESH Trial - Nualtra

UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

09 Oct 2025 at 15:30

Award

23 Sep 2025 at 16:00

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Plymouth, a public authority within the sub-central government, has concluded a procurement process aimed at acquiring oral nutritional supplements as part of the REFRESH trial. This initiative, located primarily in Plymouth, Devon, involves comparing the effectiveness of these supplements against traditional food fortification within care homes across the regions of Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, and the West Midlands. The procurement has reached the award stage, with the contract awarded to Nualtra Limited on 1 October 2025. The process used a direct procurement method, falling below the competitive threshold, which involves the simple selection of suppliers without a formal tendering competition. The contract period is set from 31 October 2025 to 31 May 2028, with potential extensions, primarily due to challenges in recruiting participating care homes.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in the production and distribution of dietetic products, specifically companies like Nualtra Limited that can supply oral nutritional supplements. The selected supplier will have the chance to engage with care homes across multiple regions, thus enhancing its business reach and reputation in the health and nutrition industry. The contract's focus on a specific selection of products, including brands like Ensure Compact and Fortisip Compact, highlights the potential for suppliers familiar with the health sector to expand their portfolio. Large-scale suppliers capable of managing logistics efficiently across multiple care home locations would be particularly well-suited for this type of contract, providing both growth potential and a platform for showcasing industry-specific expertise.

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Notice Title

Oral Nutritional Supplements - REFRESH Trial - Nualtra

Notice Description

The University of Plymouth is leading the REFRESH trial to compare the effectiveness of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and of food fortification with routine care. We are looking to procure ONS to supply to the care homes assigned. * We wish to procure the following three oral nutritional supplements or equivalent: o Ensure Compact (Abbott Nutrition) o Fortisip Compact (Nutricia) o Altraplen Compact (Nualtra) * These will need to be supplied and delivered to up to 30 care homes distributed throughout Hampshire, Dorset, Devon and the West Midlands participating in a research trial. * Care homes will be given the option to use one of the three brands so a delivery to any given home will only be one brand, but should include all available flavours, or the flavours specified in the order. To view more detail of the study please visit: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/penctu/refresh-trial

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a07b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063883-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products


CPV Codes

15881000 - Homogenised food preparations

15882000 - Dietetic products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£166,666 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
23 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
31 Oct 2025 - 31 May 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
Contact Name
Megan Worth
Contact Email
megan.worth@plymouth.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 01752588167

Buyer Location

Locality
PLYMOUTH, DEVON
Postcode
PL4 8AA
Post Town
Plymouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK41 Plymouth
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Plymouth
Electoral Ward
Drake
Westminster Constituency
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NUALTRA

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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.

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