Planning

Pharmacy Service for Inpatient Medicines Supply for SPFT

SUSSEX PARTNERSHIP NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

31 Dec 2025 at 10:57

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 Dec 2025 at 14:38

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has initiated a procurement process for the delivery of pharmacy services across its facilities. The tender, titled "Pharmacy Service for Inpatient Medicines Supply for SPFT," falls under the healthcare industry category, specifically focusing on pharmacy services. The procurement is in the planning stage, with key dates including the publication of the Intended Approach Notice on 24 December 2025, and the deadline for the submission of an expression of interest and service capability assessment on 8 January 2026. The contract, valued at £2,640,000 gross, is anticipated to cover the period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028, with the possibility of renewal. The procurement is managed by Surrey & Boarders Partnership NHS on behalf of NHS Commercial Solutions.

This procurement process represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in pharmacy services, especially those with experience in inpatient medicines supply. Companies that have demonstrated capability and quality within the healthcare sector and meet the NHS's criteria for provider selection under the Provider Selection Regime will find this tender particularly relevant. As the process does not require a comprehensive competitive tender, it may appeal to organisations that can leverage established relationships and a proven track record of delivering high-quality healthcare services. Interested parties are encouraged to engage in the supplier engagement period, ensuring a transparent approach and providing insights to aid decision-making.

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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 08/01/2026 – Deadline for submission of an expression of Interest and responses to the Service Capability Assessment. 24/12/2025 – 08/01/2026 – 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/086537-2025
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
31 Dec 20251 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Jan 2026Expired
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
Additional Buyers

SURREY & BOARDERS PARTNERSHIP NHS ON BEHALF OF NHS COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS

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)
TLJ26 East Surrey
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Mole Valley
Electoral Ward
Dorking North
Westminster Constituency
Dorking and Horley

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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