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The provision of NRT, E-Cigarettes and Stop Smoking Medication Solution

Leicester City Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

03 Sep 2026 at 16:27

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

02 Feb 2026 at 16:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Leicester City Council is procuring an outsourced stop-smoking treatment and fulfilment service for its Public Health team and the Live Well integrated lifestyle service. The provider will store, manage and distribute nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and e-cigarettes to Leicester residents, and support pharmacist-led prescribing and dispensing of Varenicline, Cytisine and Bupropion. The scope includes stock control, packaging, postal dispatch, prescription activity, delivery tracking, order and appointment management, reporting, and a secure digital system. The service is intended to replace the council’s in-house stock and postal distribution arrangements, improve access to treatment and strengthen clinical governance. It also includes staff training and ongoing support. The procurement is principally for goods, with associated health, pharmacy, logistics and software services delivered for Leicester.

The process reached tender: Leicester City Council invited offers through an open procedure. It is a single-lot procurement. Enquiries had to be submitted by 25 September 2026, and tender responses by 1 October 2026 at 00:00 BST. The evaluation decision was due by 13 November 2026. The initial contract period is 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with options to extend by up to one year plus one year, giving a possible end date of 31 March 2032. The estimated value is £305,000 excluding VAT, or £366,000 including VAT. Quality carries 70% of the evaluation and price 30%. Economic and technical selection requirements are set out in Appendices A and C of the tender documents. Electronic submission is allowed in English.

This opportunity suits providers able to combine pharmaceutical storage, dispensing and distribution with a secure digital service. Relevant capability includes managing NRT, e-cigarettes and stop-smoking medicines; maintaining stock and prescription records; arranging pharmacist-led prescribing; packaging and posting products to clients within agreed timescales; and tracking deliveries. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate robust clinical, regulatory and information-governance arrangements, including compliance with NICE guidance, Patient Group Directions, GDPR, General Pharmaceutical Council standards and the council’s Public Health Clinical Governance Framework. The requirement also calls for a user-friendly system covering orders, appointments, inventory, prescribing, reporting and delivery tracking, together with training and continuing support. The council identifies the opportunity as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

The provision of NRT, E-Cigarettes and Stop Smoking Medication Solution

Notice Description

Leicester City Council's Public Health team is seeking a provider to support the delivery of its integrated lifestyle service, Live Well, by managing the storage, dispensing, and distribution of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), e-cigarettes, and stop smoking medications. The project aims to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and clinical governance of stop smoking support offered to Leicester residents by replacing the current in-house stock management and postal distribution process with a comprehensive outsourced solution. The appointed provider will be responsible for managing stock levels, dispatching NRT and e-cigarette products directly to clients within agreed timescales, and facilitating pharmacist-led prescribing and dispensing of stop smoking medications, including Varenicline, Cytisine, and Bupropion. The service must operate in line with relevant clinical, regulatory, and governance requirements, including NICE guidance, Patient Group Directions (PGDs), GDPR, GPhC standards, and Leicester City Council's Public Health Clinical Governance Framework. The project also requires the provision of a secure, user-friendly digital system to manage orders, appointments, inventory, prescription activity, reporting, and delivery tracking, alongside staff training and ongoing support. The overall objective is to enhance the client experience, reduce delays in accessing treatment, and contribute to Leicester's smokefree ambitions through a safe, efficient, and clinically robust service.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The total possible contract duration is five (5) years, which consists of an initial term of three (3) years with the option to extend for up to a further one (1) + one (1) years.

Planning Information

No formal market engagement was undertaken however, a meeting was held in early 2025 with a Provider to discuss the service they offer and if any other clients were using their service. The discussion also covered the Council’s current process in place for distributing NRT and E-Cigarettes and how the process can be streamlined for operational efficiency. The Provider detailed their service and their potential offering regarding the posting, packaging and storage provisions, potential costs and regarding their requirements on Patient Group Directions (PGDs).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0614b4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083635-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£305,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£305,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
1 Oct 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
25 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Leicester City Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE1 1FZ
Postcode Area
Leicester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF21 Leicester
Delivery Location
TLF21 Leicester
Local Authority
Leicester
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Leicester South

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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