Planning

Supply Chain Planning Solution

NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

03 Dec 2025 at 17:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

24 Nov 2025 at 09:31

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

24 Nov 2025 at 09:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), a central government public authority located in Bristol, United Kingdom, is currently in the planning phase for a procurement process to acquire a Supply Chain Planning Solution. This initiative is aimed at supporting its national supply chain network for blood, components, tissues, organs, and samples. The procurement is classified under services related to software packages and support services, designed to enhance forecasting, inventory planning, distribution, and decision-making through advanced data integration and workflow automation. Key dates to note in this engagement include structured one-to-one supplier discussions, scheduled from 6th to 16th January 2026, with a deadline for initial engagement activities set for 31st January 2026, where suppliers are invited to contribute insights through a written Request for Information (RFI).

This contract offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses involved in supply chain planning, demand planning, inventory optimisation, and related systems integration services. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged to participate to explore innovative solutions and alternative delivery models, reflecting the diverse capabilities of the market. With an estimated gross contract value of £7.56 million, this procurement process will demand a competitive flexible approach, making use of frameworks such as Back Office Software 2 or G-Cloud. Businesses specialising in cloud-based solutions and software support services will find this tender particularly fitting, while the process emphasises innovation, performance incentives, and potential risk-sharing mechanisms, which supports the development and implementation of state-of-the-art technological architectures in the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply Chain Planning Solution

Notice Description

**RFI Update** Draft documentation is now live on Atamis for interested suppliers to review and respond. To access the documents, suppliers will need to register on the Atamis eSourcing portal (https://atamis-1928.my.site.com/s/Welcome) and search for project reference C403019. Suppliers will then be able to review documents and choose to accept the opportunity - they will need to accept in order to provide feedback to us. There are 4 documents to review: - SCPS Pre Market Engagement Feedback Form.doc - SCPS - Statement of Requirements.xls - NHSBT SCPS Pre-Market Engagement Overview Dec-25.pptx - NHSBT - POL10.pdf The authority advises suppliers review the feedback form first as this provides instructions on how to engage **Opportunity Details** NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) intends to procure a Supply Chain Planning Solution to support end-to-end planning across its blood supply. The solution is expected to provide capabilities for demand forecasting, supply and inventory planning, distribution planning and scenario modelling, with appropriate data integration, workflow automation, reporting and decision-support tools. The contract scope may include: - Provision of a cloud-based supply chain planning platform - Configuration, implementation and integration with NHSBT systems - Data migration, validation and modelling support - User training, change management and knowledge transfer - Licensing, hosting, support and ongoing system maintenance - Optional systems integration or specialist advisory services The objective is to enable NHSBT to improve forecasting accuracy, optimise stock levels, enhance service resilience and support operational decision-making across its national supply chain network.

Planning Information

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the forthcoming procurement of a Supply Chain Planning Solution. The purpose of this engagement is to understand current market capabilities, identify potential delivery models, explore appropriate commercial structures, and ensure that any future procurement process is fair, open, and aligned with supplier capacity. Participation in this engagement is voluntary, does not form part of any selection or evaluation process, and will not disadvantage suppliers who choose not to participate. All engagement will be conducted transparently and in line with relevant UK public procurement legislation. How to Participate Suppliers wishing to participate should contact: Paul Lewis, Senior Commercial Lead Email: paul.lewis2@nhsbt.nhs.uk All suppliers with an interest in supply chain planning, demand planning, inventory optimisation, forecasting, or associated systems integration services are encouraged to participate, including SMEs and VCSEs. Engagement Activities and Timelines 1. Broadcast Session with TechUK – 1 December 2025 The authority will host an initial hybrid broadcast session, delivered in partnership with TechUK, held both online and in London. This session will provide: An overview of NHSBT’s strategic aims High-level context for the future procurement An outline of the emerging requirements and problem statements Information about the planned RFI and subsequent engagement steps Following this event, NHSBT intends to release high-level requirements and a Request for Information (RFI) to all interested suppliers. 2. Written RFI Suppliers will be invited to respond to an RFI designed to test deliverability, identify potential blockers, and explore market expectations on scope, technical architecture, procurement routes, and commercial structures. 3. One-to-One Supplier Discussions – Proposed Dates: 6–16 January 2026 NHSBT will hold structured one-to-one sessions to explore insights raised through the RFI in more detail. These discussions will focus on risks, assumptions, data considerations, dependencies, and realistic implementation pathways. Suppliers may request a session, and slots will be allocated to ensure broad representation across the market. Objectives of the Market Engagement The purpose of the PME is to ensure NHSBT designs a procurement approach that is realistic, deliverable, non-discriminatory, and reflective of the diversity of the market. Key areas of focus include: 1. Market Understanding Understanding typical solution architectures, operating models and technical standards. Assessing the maturity of the supply chain planning software market. Identifying commonly used frameworks or routes to market. Benchmarking typical contract structures, service levels, liabilities, and support models. Gaining insight into typical implementation timescales and change management approaches. 2. Requirements and Specification Development Testing whether NHSBT’s emerging requirements are realistic and deliverable. Identifying where scope may be over- or under-specified. Highlighting areas of risk, complexity, and uncertainty from a supplier perspective. Exploring whether a lotting structure would better align with market capability (for example: Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Inventory Optimisation, Distribution Planning, Vendor Managed Inventory, Systems Integration, or combined delivery). 3. Commercial and Procedural Design Exploring different pricing approaches (for example subscription, modular pricing, consumption-based, hybrid, or outcome-based models). Understanding appetite for risk-sharing mechanisms or performance incentives. Testing realistic procurement timelines and mobilisation periods. Seeking feedback on appropriate routes to market, including: A Competitive Flexible Procedure CCS frameworks (for example: Back Office Software 2, Digital Specialists & Programmes, G-Cloud) Other relevant mechanisms 4. Supplier Readiness and Capacity Building Providing early visibility of upcoming requirements to allow SMEs and VCSEs to prepare. Setting out NHSBT’s anticipated expectations on data, cyber security, interoperability, sustainability, and social value. Highlighting anticipated evaluation themes at a high level. Providing guidance on NHSBT’s procurement portals, documentation and submission processes. 5. Innovation and Alternative Options Identifying innovative or outcome-based approaches that could deliver transformational benefits. Testing whether existing public sector tools or platforms could be reused, adapted, or integrated. Exploring opportunities for automation, predictive analytics, scenario modelling, or AI-enhanced planning. Next Steps Insights gathered through this PME will inform NHSBT’s: Procurement strategy Lotting and delivery model Commercial structure and pricing approach Specification and evaluation framework Route to market Following completion of PME activities, NHSBT intends to publish a Tender Notice in line with the Procurement Act 2023.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e6e1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079506-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72261000 - Software support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,300,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Dec 2025Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Jan 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
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 BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT
Contact Name
Paul Lewis
Contact Email
paul.lewis2@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 7QH
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Filton
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Notice Documents

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. 

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