Planning

Independent Learning Responses Framework

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

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Feb 2026 at 14:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The East Of England NHS Collaborative Hub, acting through West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, is in the planning stage of a procurement process to create the Independent Learning Responses Framework, which is set to replace the existing Independent Investigations framework. Operating within the health services industry, this procurement involves enhancing national expectations for independent investigations. The buyer is classified as a public authority - central government and is located in Fulbourn, Cambridge. Key milestones include a scheduled in-person supplier engagement event on 16th March 2026 in London, with registration closing on 9th March 2026. Interested parties can access more information and participate in the engagement through the Atamis portal, with final developments shaping up towards an open framework slated to start on 4th May 2027.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs, by providing a platform to contribute to transforming independent investigations within NHS systems. The total framework value is set at £24 million, with diverse opportunities in specialist advisory roles, governance, patient safety, thematic reviews, and impact assurance under different lots. Suitable types of businesses include those with expertise in clinical advice, safety and investigations, and governance reviews, positioned to provide independent system-based investigations or assurance and learning reviews. With an 8-year framework running under the Light Touch Regime, businesses geared towards health services can leverage this procurement process to expand their market presence within the NHS landscape.

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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 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. As part of this market engagement, NHS England in collaboration with EoE NHS CPH will be hosting an in-person supplier engagement event on 16th March, 10.30 am at Wellington House, 33-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG. Please confirm you would like to attend the in-person supplier event by completing the form available through this link: https://forms.office.com/e/81JVQgkjvS Further information and an agenda will be shared closer to the event. Please register by 9th March 2026. Preliminary Market Engagement Process: Please view the draft specification on the Atamis portal: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome • Suppliers should register on the portal, if not already registered: • Search and select contract reference – C425135- Market Engagement Independent Learning Responses Framework to register and view the draft specification. 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. After the in-person event, a questionnaire will run on the Atamis portal: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome 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. • Suppliers should register on the portal, if not already registered

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/016108-2026
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
23 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Aug 20265 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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