Planning

Friends and Family Test Messaging Provision

MID AND SOUTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

28 Nov 2025 at 11:10

Planning

27 Nov 2025 at 16:06

Summary of the contracting process

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is engaging the market to explore potential solutions for a procurement opportunity titled "Friends and Family Test Messaging Provision." This initiative falls under the services category, specifically focusing on Short Message Service (SMS) provision. The Trust is located in Basildon, Essex, United Kingdom, and identifies as a public authority in central government. Currently in the planning stage, they have issued a market engagement notice with a deadline of 12th December 2025 for interested suppliers to express their interest and share innovative solutions. The contract period is anticipated to start on 1st April 2026 and could extend until 31st March 2028, with potential renewals.

This tender presents considerable opportunities for businesses specialising in communication services, particularly those experienced in SMS technologies and solutions for healthcare settings. Companies with innovative approaches to message delivery and patient engagement will find this an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities and secure a contract with a major NHS Foundation Trust. This procurement process offers growth potential for businesses looking to diversify into public sector contracts and can set a precedent for increasing their footprint in the healthcare industry.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Friends and Family Test Messaging Provision

Notice Description

The NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT) is an important tool to help people who use NHS services have the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience. The FFT was created to help service providers and commissioners understand whether patients are happy with the service provided, or where improvements are needed. It's a quick and anonymous way to give your views after receiving NHS care or treatment. Since the FFT was launched in 2013, millions of patients have submitted feedback. It's used by most NHS services, including community care, hospitals, mental health services, maternity services, GP and dental practices, emergency care, and patient transport.

Planning Information

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are interested to understand what solutions or delivery models might be possible, and how the market could help us achieve the intended outcomes for Friends and Family Test. We are not seeking detailed proposals or formal commitments, we would like to invite suppliers to share ideas, innovations, and approaches for how the requirement outlined in the attached document could be met. To obtain further information, including all documentation, please follow these steps: 1. Log in to the supplier portal at https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome 2. Locate the opportunity using  3. Click Register Interest C404521

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ea77
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077999-2025
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

64 - Postal and telecommunications services


CPV Codes

64212100 - Short Message Service (SMS) services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Nov 20256 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
12 Dec 20251 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 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
MID AND SOUTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Ben La Rocca
Contact Email
benjamin.larocca@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BASILDON
Postcode
SS16 5NL
Post Town
Southend-on-Sea
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH37 Essex Thames Gateway
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Basildon
Electoral Ward
Langdon Hills
Westminster Constituency
South Basildon and East Thurrock

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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