Planning

Pharmacy Service for Inpatient Medicines Supply for SPFT

SUSSEX PARTNERSHIP NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Dec 2025 at 14:38

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is initiating a procurement process for delivering pharmacy services across its network, specifically for inpatient medicines supply. This procurement, categorised under pharmacy services, takes place in Worthing, UK. Currently, in the planning stage, the contract, valued at GBP 2,640,000, is designed to ensure the continuity, integration, and quality of healthcare services under the Provider Selection Regime. The procurement process involves a unique Most Suitable Provider (MSP) method, which allows direct contract awarding without a competitive tendering process. Interested suppliers are expected to submit their expression of interest by 6th January 2026, with the process concluding with the award of the contract on 12th February 2026. The contract period spans from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028, with potential for renewal until the end of March 2029.

This tender offers a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in pharmacy services, particularly those capable of providing high-quality, integrated medicine supply services within the NHS framework. Firms with a strong track record in healthcare services, particularly those familiar with the dynamics of public health procurement and supplier selection regimes, will have a competitive edge. The engagement through the Atamis Supplier Portal facilitates transparent market interaction and decision-making, which could lead to long-term collaboration with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, thus supporting business growth in the healthcare sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Pharmacy Service for Inpatient Medicines Supply for SPFT

Notice Description

Delivery of medicines supply services across Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Planning Information

Relevant authorities are able to follow three different provider selection processes to directly award contracts for relevant healthcare services under the PSR, or use a most suitable provider (MSP), or retain full procurement (5 options in total). MSP process is the most suitable route to market, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust or the Trust (relevant authority) has identified potential suitable providers and can award the contract without running a competitive process, the Risk Assessment has undertaken sufficient assessments and market information to identify which providers are the most suitable. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust published this Intended Approach Notice for transparency reasons which will remain open for a minimum of 14 days. During this period, interested parties are able to access information and make use of open Q&A facility within the Atamis Supplier Portal. The service specification is attached with this notice. Interested Tenderer will require obtaining a document pack, that contains the detailed evaluation criteria and submission process, by sending an email to – Lorne Fricker Associate Procurement Director, NHS Commercial Solutions Email: lorne.fricker@nhs.net No separate webinar or physical event will be held; all interaction will occur through the portal Q&A function. The project timeline is provided below: 24/12/2025 - Publish Intended Approach Notice – Allow at least 14 days 06/01/2026 – Deadline for submission of an expression of Interest and responses to the Service Capability Assessment. 24/12/2025 – 06/01/2026 – Service Capability assessment period. Assess the potential providers, considering the selection criteria and choose the most suitable provider 30/01/2026 - Recommendation report and approval 04/02/2026 - Publication of the intention to award a contract notice – Commencing 8 days standstill (from the day after the notice is published) 12/02/2026 - Award contract Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust publishes this notice to ensure Suppliers Market Engagement, transparency in the process in selecting one/more than one Most Suitable Provider (MSP) and support decision-making under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). Please Note: This engagement does not constitute a call for competition or a tender process. Any future decision will follow PSR criteria (continuity, integration, quality, value, and provider capability). Participation does not confer any advantage in subsequent decisions. Key Decision Makers: Chief Pharmacist, Contract Owner Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Contract Manager Deputy Director – Contracts, Contract Support Lorne Fricker Associate Procurement Director - NHSCS Procurement Support

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fcad
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085884-2025
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85149000 - Pharmacy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Dec 20256 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Jan 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 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
SUSSEX PARTNERSHIP NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Lorne Fricker
Contact Email
lorne.fricker@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WORTHING
Postcode
BN11 1HS
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)
TLJ27 West Sussex (South West)
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Worthing
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Worthing West

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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