Planning

Independent Learning Responses Framework

EAST OF ENGLAND NHS COLLABORATIVE HUB C/O WEST SUFFOLK NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

26 Mar 2026 at 13:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 Feb 2026 at 14:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The East Of England NHS Collaborative Hub, in partnership with West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, is engaged in the planning stage of a procurement process for a new "Independent Learning Responses Framework" to replace the existing Independent Investigations framework. This procurement, under the Procurement Act 2023, aims to modernise and enhance the market for independent investigations in the health sector, covering various speciality areas such as patient safety, quality governance, and thematic reviews. The initiative is classified under health services and is intended for an 8-year framework agreement starting on 4th May 2027 throughout the United Kingdom. Strategic engagement with potential suppliers is underway, with pre-market engagement due by 27th April 2026, providing businesses ample opportunity to shape the final service specification.

This tender offers significant growth prospects for businesses specialising in health services, particularly those capable of delivering expertise in clinical guidance, safety investigations, and governance reviews. Organisations—especially smaller enterprises and voluntary community sector entities—that can innovatively address NHS expectations for learning responses are well-suited to compete. The framework is structured into multiple Lots, increasing opportunities for niche providers to contribute to specialist advisory roles or specific review areas. Engaging in the early stages of this procurement process can provide insights and influence on the tender questions and processes, as well as establish long-term operational partnerships in the evolving healthcare investigation landscape. Potential vendors should register on the Atamis portal and respond to market engagement queries to assist in refining NHS service offerings.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Learning Responses Framework

Notice Description

The Independent Learning Responses Framework will replace what was previously known as the Independent Investigations Framework. This proposed procurement is required to modernise and strengthen the independent investigations supply market, to align with national expectations for learning responses. The proposed framework will be used by NHS England independent investigation teams, national commissioning teams and other authorised NHS commissioners who require independent, system-based investigations or assurance/learning reviews. The framework will be divided into the proposed Lots: Lot 1. Specialist Advisor Role(s) Including: - Chair/Lead - Clinical Expert - Safety/Investigations Expert - Family Liaison Lot 2. Quality Governance Review Lot 3. Patient Safety Incident Investigation Lot 4. Thematic Review Lot 5. Pathway/service Review Lot 6. Post Response Impact Assurance Review The open framework will run under the new regulations, the Procurement Act 2023 and under Light Touch Regime. The framework will run for a maximum of 8 years. The estimated start date for the framework agreement is 4th May 2027.

Planning Information

NHS England in collaboration with EoE NHS CPH is issuing this pre-market engagement in connection with the potential procurement to establish a new framework agreement for Independent Learning Responses which improves and will replace the Independent Investigations framework. Preliminary Market Engagement Process: Please view the draft specification alongside presentation and notes from an in-person event that took place on the 16th March 2026 on the Atamis Portal: http://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome • Suppliers should register on the portal, if not already registered: • Search and select contract reference – C434833 - Market Engagement Independent Learning Responses Framework to register and view the draft specification and supporting documents. • Please answer the pre-market engagement questions. Suppliers can contact the Atamis helpdesk at support-health@atamis.co.uk or by calling +44 800 098 8201 for technical assistance when completing responses. The information provided will help to form and shape the service specification, tender questions and process for a tender that will be conducted under the Procurement Act 2023. The pre-market engagement opportunity will be open until 12pm 27th April 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065a37
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027935-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Aug 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 May 2027 - 3 May 2029 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 OF ENGLAND NHS COLLABORATIVE HUB C/O WEST SUFFOLK 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
FULBOURN
Postcode
CB21 5XA
Post Town
Cambridge
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH4 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH42 Cambridgeshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Cambridgeshire
Electoral Ward
Fen Ditton & Fulbourn
Westminster Constituency
South Cambridgeshire

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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