Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Internal mail & Courier Services

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

12 Mar 2026 at 15:18

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

23 Dec 2025 at 17:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust focuses on securing internal mail and courier services across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. The competitive flexible procedure is currently in the tender stage, with the deadline for expression of interest set for April 17, 2026. The tender is valued at £13 million (gross amount £15.6 million) and is aimed at delivering services including mail, pathology, equipment, and ad hoc items. It is classified under the industry category of services, specifically post and courier services, aligning with the public authority's ambition to optimise fleet utilisation and reduce emissions. The procurement method involves a selective approach, with a two-stage process under the Light Touch Regime where 3 to 5 successful bidders will advance to the second stage. The procurement covers regions including UKH1 and UKH12, with electronic submissions required through the specified portal.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in logistics and courier services looking to expand their footprint within the public healthcare sector. Companies with capabilities in efficient route design, operational scalability, and sustainability initiatives, such as electric vehicle fleets, are well-positioned to benefit. The contract also favours participation from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), promoting inclusive competition. With the potential for increased volumes due to organisational changes among participating NHS Trusts, successful bidders can leverage this contract to refine their service offerings and align with long-term public sector goals. The offering of variant bids for a full electric vehicle fleet solution underscores the importance of innovative, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable service models.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Internal mail & Courier Services

Notice Description

Internal courier services for mail, pathology, equipment and other ad hoc items of both scheduled and unscheduled requirements, across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Keeping the courier transport service as a single, non-regional requirement reflects the way the participating Trusts operate across a wide and overlapping geographic footprint. If the service were divided into regional lots, items routinely crossing regional boundaries would require additional handovers between providers, introducing extra cost, delay, and operational risk, as well as duplicating vehicles and mileage. A single service model instead enables suppliers to design efficient, mixed-Trust routes that better reflect real demand, reduce "empty running", and optimise fleet utilisation. This approach supports improved value for money for the NHS while also helping to deliver sustainability benefits through fewer journeys and lower emissions, aligning with the NHS ambition to reach net zero carbon by 2040.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Tenderers are invited to submit variant bids alongside their compliant bid, specifically offering a full electric vehicle (EV) fleet solution for delivery of the Services. Variant bids are requested (but not mandatory) and will be evaluated as a separate tender submission to the compliant bid. Where a tenderer submits a variant bid, this will be treated as the submission of two tenders: (1) a compliant bid meeting the Authority's stated requirements, and (2) a variant bid based on a full EV fleet proposal. Either tender may be accepted and awarded by the Authority. Tenderers should note that the same quality submission (method statements and supporting quality information) will be used to evaluate both the compliant and variant bids, with the variant bid assessed on the basis of its proposed fleet model and associated commercial and operational implications.

Renewal: Two options to extend for up to 12 months each.

Planning Information

Conduct pre market engagement to determine optimal contract term and industry capability and capacity. Please complete the following form; https://forms.office.com/e/UqYpbtxkfk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fcf8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022439-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

64100000 - Post and courier services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£13,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£13,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Mar 20265 months ago
Submission Deadline
31 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
27 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 30 Sep 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2031-01-31

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Additional Buyers

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Foundation Trust

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CAMBRIDGE
Postcode
NR2 3TU
Postcode Area
Norwich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH5 Norfolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH51 Norwich and East Norfolk
Delivery Location
TLH1 East Anglia, TLH12 Cambridgeshire CC
Local Authority
Norwich
Electoral Ward
Nelson
Westminster Constituency
Norwich South

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...