Planning

Plastic Straws

NHS WALES SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP-PROCUREMENT SERVICES (HOSTED BY VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

07 Nov 2025 at 10:11

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services, hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust, is initiating a procurement process for the supply of plastic drinking straws to be used within hospital wards, clinics, and care environments. This tender is currently at the planning stage and falls under the goods category with specific emphasis on catering supplies and plastic products. Located in Cardiff, United Kingdom (UKL22), the procurement seeks vendors who can provide straws suitable for patient use, adhering to specific UK and EU regulations. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their product specifications by 5th December 2025 and can expect a contract period from 1st February 2026 to 31st January 2027. The total value is projected to be up to £3,600.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses within the plastic product and catering supply sectors, particularly those capable of supplying food-grade, polypropylene or biodegradable plastic straws. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), are deemed suitable to compete for this tender, which promises both economic growth and increased exposure to healthcare sector requirements. The specified attributes such as compliance with safety and material standards open doors for companies capable of innovative and high-quality production, potentially leading to further contracts within the healthcare industry.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Plastic Straws

Notice Description

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAVUHB) require the supply of drinking straws intended for use within hospital wards, clinics, and care environments to assist patients who are unable to drink independently or safely without the use of a straw. The product shall be suitable for use with both hot and cold beverages and designed for single-patient use. The straws are intended to support safe and dignified hydration for patients with limited mobility, coordination, or swallowing ability, and to facilitate assisted drinking by healthcare staff. Please see full requirement list below and provide the details to Lily.Prance@wales.nhs.uk - Please include the price and unit of measure. The product shall comply with the following, or equivalent, standards and regulations: * UK Food Contact Materials (FCM) Regulations (Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and SI 2019 No. 704) * UK Plastic Packaging Tax (where applicable) * UK Single-Use Plastics Directive exemptions for healthcare or patient-care use * Relevant BS EN standards for plastics in contact with food (e.g., BS EN 1186 series) * Food Safety Act 1990 Material Requirements: * Material: Food-grade polypropylene (PP) or biodegradable plastic alternative (e.g., PLA) suitable for contact with liquids intended for human consumption * Must be non-toxic, BPA-free, latex-free, and phthalate-free * Shall not impart taste, odour, or discoloration to liquids * Must withstand temperatures from 0degC to 70degC without deformation or leaching * Note: Paper or fibre-based materials are not acceptable under this specification Design and Dimensions: * Type: Flexible (bendable) drinking straw * Length: 200 +- 5 mm (standard adult) * Diameter: 6 +- 0.5 mm internal bore (suitable for water, juice, and nutritional supplements) * Colour: Natural, white, or light blue (transparent or translucent preferred) * Surface: Smooth finish with rounded, non-sharp edges to prevent oral injury * Flex section shall be durable and maintain shape after repeated bends * Option for shorter length (e.g., 150 mm) to suit paediatric or specialist care areas (if applicable) Safety and Performance: * Must maintain structural integrity during normal use * Shall not collapse under typical suction pressures (<10 kPa) * No component shall detach or fragment during use * Free from defects such as cracks, splits, or irregularities * Material must comply with food-contact migration limits (overall and specific) as defined in Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 Hygiene and Handling: Straws shall be clean and hygienically manufactured to prevent contamination during production and packing. Products shall be supplied either: * Individually wrapped, or * In hygienic bulk dispensers with protective packaging Packaging must maintain cleanliness until point of use. Product is intended for single-patient use only, not for communal catering or reuse.

Planning Information

Please provide the range of products that meet this specification, including the price and unit of measure (box size) to Lily.Prance@wales.nhs.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05dc6f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071899-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

19 - Leather and textile fabrics, plastic and rubber materials

39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

CPV Codes

19520000 - Plastic products

39222000 - Catering supplies

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS WALES SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP-PROCUREMENT SERVICES (HOSTED BY VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST)
Contact Name
Lily Prance
Contact Email
lily.prance@wales.nhs.uk
Contact Phone
02921500642

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF14 4HH
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Heath
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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