Planning

Request for Information (RFI): Clinical Waste & Sharps Waste Management Services (ELFT)

EAST LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

02 Feb 2026 at 11:43

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

29 Jan 2026 at 17:14

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The East London NHS Foundation Trust is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process concerning clinical waste and sharps waste management services, aiming to explore market conditions and service models in the UK. This process is classified under the services category with CPV classification 90524100 for clinical-waste collection services. The initiative, titled "Request for Information (RFI): Clinical Waste & Sharps Waste Management Services (ELFT)", aims to gather detailed insights into potential service offerings, including sustainability options and indicative pricing. While this RFI is not a call for competition or procurement exercise, it contributes to internal value for money assurance and future planning. Notable dates include the RFI publication on 28th January 2026, with a response deadline set for 28th February 2026. The activities are based in London, with contact managed through Harpreet Bhachu at the NHS Trust.

This tender represents a growth opportunity for businesses engaged in waste management, particularly those experienced in handling clinical and sharps waste. It is well-suited for companies that can offer comprehensive services such as collection, treatment, and sustainable disposal methods, while ensuring adherence to regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability principles. Businesses with robust operational models tailored for NHS settings and competitive pricing strategies would find it advantageous. Additionally, suppliers capable of providing detailed reporting on service levels, compliance, and carbon impact will be positioned attractively in this potential procurement landscape. The Trust's intent to gather market intelligence implies future opportunities for companies that can meet these service requirements efficiently.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Request for Information (RFI): Clinical Waste & Sharps Waste Management Services (ELFT)

Notice Description

East London NHS Foundation Trust ("the Authority") is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to better understand the current UK market for clinical waste and sharps waste management services, including service models, mobilisation approaches, reporting, sustainability options and indicative pricing. This RFI is being conducted to support internal value for money (VfM) assurance and potential future planning. This is not a call for competition, invitation to tender, or procurement exercise, and the Authority is not committing to any purchase or subsequent procurement as a result of this RFI.

Planning Information

RFI Overview East London NHS Foundation Trust (“the Authority”) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to better understand the current UK market for clinical waste and sharps waste management services, including service models, mobilisation approaches, reporting, sustainability options and indicative pricing. This RFI is being conducted to support internal value for money (VfM) assurance and potential future planning. This is not a call for competition, invitation to tender, or procurement exercise, and the Authority is not committing to any purchase or subsequent procurement as a result of this RFI. Scope of services (indicative) Suppliers are asked to provide information relating to some or all of the following service areas (please state clearly what you can provide): 1. Sharps waste management o Supply of sharps containers (reusable and/or single-use models) o Collection/exchange/uplift services (scheduled and ad hoc) o Transportation and compliant documentation/audit trail 2. Clinical waste management o Segregated clinical waste streams (e.g., infectious, offensive/hygiene, anatomical, cytotoxic/cytostatic where applicable) o Treatment/disposal options and approach (including compliance) o Provision of consumables where relevant (bags, bins, labels etc.) 3. Service, compliance, and governance o Service levels (missed collection response, turnaround, incident management) o Duty of Care documentation / consignment notes / tracking systems o Reporting (volume, cost, carbon, incidents, compliance) 4. Sustainability / environmental impact o Reuse/circular economy model options o Carbon reporting methodology and measures to reduce emissions o Waste hierarchy and minimisation support (training, audits, behavioural interventions) Contract context The Authority currently receives clinical waste and sharps waste management services across multiple sites (mental health inpatient, community, corporate and specialist services). Respondents will be provided with indicative activity assumptions and a basket of services to price, to support a like-for-like comparison. What we need from you Suppliers are requested to submit: A) Service Offering Response (Attachment A) • Overview of your organisation and relevant experience in NHS/healthcare • Proposed operating model and how it would work in an NHS Trust setting • Collections capability (geographic coverage, fleet, scheduling, ad hoc uplift) • Compliance approach (ADR where relevant, documentation, audit trail, incident management) • Mobilisation approach and indicative timescales • Reporting (operational, financial, ESG/carbon) and systems used B) Indicative Pricing Submission (Attachment B) Please complete the pricing schedule using the Authority’s assumptions. Pricing should be provided as: • unit rates (e.g., £/uplift, £/container, £/kg or £/tonne as applicable) • any fixed charges (e.g., management fees, rental fees) • any typical additional charges (e.g., contamination, emergency uplift) • indexation assumptions (CPI/RPI/fuel etc.) C) Clarifications / caveats • Explicitly state any assumptions you have made • Highlight any exclusions or dependencies (e.g., storage compounds, access hours, minimum volumes) RFI timetable • RFI published: 28/01/26 • Deadline for clarification questions: 14/02/26 • RFI response deadline: 28/02/26 All dates are subject to change at the Authority’s discretion. Communications and clarifications All communications relating to this RFI must be directed to Harpreet.bhachu2@nhs.net to obtain the documents and clarifications Important notices (compliance / disclaimers) • This RFI is for information gathering and market intelligence only. • The Authority is not liable for any costs incurred by suppliers in responding. • The Authority may choose to cancel or amend this RFI at any time. • Any future procurement (if undertaken) will be conducted in accordance with applicable UK procurement rules and the Authority’s Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders. • The Authority may use information received to shape future requirements, internal business cases, or procurement documentation. No information provided is confidential unless clearly marked and justifiable; however, the Authority will handle responses in accordance with its legal obligations (including FOIA). Suppliers should therefore avoid including unnecessary sensitive information. Evaluation approach (for transparency) Responses will be reviewed for: • Service capability and coverage • Operational approach and mobilisation • Compliance and governance • Reporting and data quality • Sustainability/carbon reporting • Indicative pricing and cost drivers

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061270
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008873-2026
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

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

90524100 - Clinical-waste collection services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Feb 20263 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
EAST LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Harpreet bhachu
Contact Email
harpreet.bhachu2@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E1 8DE
Post Town
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Whitechapel
Westminster Constituency
Bethnal Green and Stepney

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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