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Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme (HSST)

NHS England

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

06 Aug 2026 at 12:40

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

23 Jul 2026 at 08:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

17 Jul 2026 at 11:27

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

06 Jan 2026 at 13:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS England is procuring academic delivery for the Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) programme, covering education and health training services across the United Kingdom. The programme will train up to 1,277 learners in specialist scientific disciplines. Its 13 lots cover clinical bioinformatics, genetics, genetic counselling, histopathology, molecular pathology, reproductive science, biomedical engineering, imaging and radiotherapy physics, clinical biochemistry, immunology, haematology, transfusion science, microbiology, virology, audiology, neurophysiology, ophthalmic and vision sciences, gastrointestinal, respiratory, sleep, urodynamic, cardiac and vascular sciences. Suppliers may bid for more than one lot. NHS England is the buying organisation, and delivery is required nationally rather than at a single named site.

The procurement has reached tender: NHS England invited offers through an open procedure. Clarification questions must be submitted by 24 August 2026 at 5:00pm, and completed tenders must be submitted electronically by 4 September 2026 at 12:00pm midday. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2032, with an extension option of up to two years, potentially to 31 August 2034. Total funding available is £42,186,230.80 including a maximum estimated value of £50,623,476.96 including VAT. Lot values range from £1,819,843.20 to £8,508,126 including VAT. Evaluation is 50% general technical quality, 30% lot-specific technical quality, 10% social value and 10% commercial. There are 13 lots; multiple lots may be awarded to one supplier and some lots may have up to two providers.

This opportunity suits universities, higher-education providers, specialist training organisations and partnerships with the academic and scientific capability to deliver Higher Specialist Scientist Training nationally. Suppliers need relevant expertise across the disciplines covered by their chosen lots, including clinical laboratory science, biomedical science, healthcare physics, physiological sciences and associated specialist scientific fields. They must be able to design and deliver structured academic training for sizeable learner cohorts over a multi-year programme, with provision tailored to individual specialisms. The opportunity is explicitly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises. Bidders can compete for several lots, allowing organisations with broad subject coverage to propose a combined delivery model, while specialist providers can focus on their strongest disciplines.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme (HSST)

Notice Description

NHS England Workforce, Training and Education is seeking to re-procure the Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) academic delivery programme. There are 13 lots within this procurement Suppliers may bid for more than one lot The initial contract term shall be five (5) years. The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years in accordance with the Contract. Following expiry of the Initial Term or any Extension Term, the contract may continue solely for the purposes of any applicable Run-Off Period, exit and transition arrangements, and any other provisions which expressly or by implication survive expiry or termination, as set out in the Contract (Document 4 Terms & Conditions). Total funding available is PS42,186,230.80 . This will train up to 1277 learners across all lots. The maximum price per learner for the 5 years course is: Life Sciences: PS25,275.60 per learner (excluding VAT) Non-Life Sciences: PS37,915.00 per learner (excluding VAT) The deadline for submission of completed ITT submissions is 4th September 2026 at 12:00pm (midday). Late submissions will not be accepted therefore, please submit in good time prior to the deadline date and time. All communications should be made via the messaging function on the e-Tendering portal during the tender exercise. The Contracting Authority requests that all communications are channelled through the e-portal system and not with the Contracting Authority itself other than as expressly permitted within this ITT. Further information relating to this project can be found at NHSE e-tendering portal at the link below. All clarification questions and submission bids must be received via this portal only. Registration is free of charge. https://health-family-contract-search.secure.force.com/?SearchType=Projects

Lot Information

Lot 1a

Clinical Bioinformatics (Genomics) Non LS Genetic counselling (to be written) LS Genetics LS 129 places over the full 7 years Up to two providers to be appointed

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 1b

Histopathology LS Molecular Pathology of Acquired Disease LS 71 places over the 7 year contract One supplier will be appointed to this lot.

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 1c

Reproductive Science LS 67 places over the 7 year contract One supplier to be appointed ted to this lot

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 2a

Clinical Bioinformatics (Physical Sciences) Non LS Clinical Bioinformatics (Health Informatics) Non LS Clinical Biomedical Engineering Non LS Reconstructive Science Non LS 91 places over the 7 year contract One supplier to be appointed to this lot

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 2b

Imaging Physics Non LS 113 places over the 7 year contract Up to two providers will be appointed to this lot

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 2c

Radiotherapy Physics Non LS 77 places over the 7 year contract Up to two providers may be appointed to this lot.

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 3a

Clinical Biochemistry LS 71 places over the 7 year contract One provider will be appointed to this lot

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 3b

Clinical Immunology LS Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics LS 60 places over the 7 year contract One provider may be appointed to this lot

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 3c

Haematology Clinical Science & Transfusion Science (2 separate specialisms) LS 63 places over the 7 year contract One provider will be appointed to this lot

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 4a

Microbiology and Virology( two separate HSST specialisms) LS 103 places over the 7 year contract Up to two providers may be appointed to this lot.

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 5a

Audiological Science Non LS Neurophysiological Science Non LS Ophthalmic & Vision Sciences Non LS 187 places over the 7 year contract Up to two providers will be appointed to this lot.

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 6a

Gastrointestinal Physiology Non LS Respiratory & Sleep Sciences Non LS Urodynamic Sciences Non LS 70 places over the 7 year course Up to two providers will be awarded to this lot

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Lot 6b

Cardiac Science Non LS Vascular Science Non LS 175 places over the 7 year contract Up to two providers will be appointed to this lot

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years

Planning Information

Closing deadline for submission of interest 5pm 13th January 2026 NHS England reserves the right to amend the timeline without prior notice. To express interest and respond to the request for information, please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06001d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074687-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

80300000 - Higher education services

80561000 - Health training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£42,186,230 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£42,186,227 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
4 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
2 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
2026-10-22

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS England
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8UG
Postcode Area
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

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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