Award

Automated dispensing system - Pill Pac Plus

NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

23 Mar 2026 at 09:44

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

10 Mar 2026 at 16:25

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

10 Mar 2026 at 16:13

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process conducted by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has concluded with the award of a contract for an Automated Dispensing System, Pill Pac Plus. This process falls under the industry category of medical equipment and maintenance services, tailored for central government needs and regulated by Northern Irish devolved regulations. Pill Pac Plus is the selected system due to its unique capability to dispense clozapine, meeting the trust's specific technical requirements. The procurement was completed through a direct award process, justified by the absence of competition for technical reasons, with a contract period starting on 21st March 2026 and ending on 28th February 2031. The procurement method followed the guidelines of the Procurement Act 2023, and the contract is valued at £157,600. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust, located in Antrim, was the key buying organisation, while the supplier was PILLPACPLUS LTD, based in Ballymena.

This tender represents significant business opportunities for enterprises that specialise in innovative medical dispensing technologies, particularly those capable of providing specialised solutions that align with specific health trust requirements. Companies operating within the pharmaceutical or medical equipment manufacturing sectors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises like PILLPACPLUS LTD, which can deliver niche solutions efficiently, are well-suited to compete in similar future tenders. The direct award process, justified by the unique capabilities required, reflects the trust's interest in solutions that are both technically advanced and operationally straightforward, presenting a clear market opportunity for businesses with a focus on innovation in medical dispensing technologies.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Automated dispensing system - Pill Pac Plus

Notice Description

The intended contract is for the procurement of a Pill Pac Plus machine, consumables and servicing by Northern Health and Social Care trust

Procurement Information

A direct award under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 is justified under Schedule 5, paragraph 6 (absence of competition for technical reasons). Pill Pac Plus is the machine that meets the trust's technical requirement to only dispense clozapine. Other options are either significantly more expensive or too complex for the task required. Therefore, only one supplier is technically capable of meeting the requirement, and direct award is permitted under Section 41 because a Schedule 5 justification applies.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0666a5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026074-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

33100000 - Medical equipments

50421000 - Repair and maintenance services of medical equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£157,600 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£157,600 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Mar 20262 months ago
Contract Period
21 Mar 2026 - 28 Feb 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 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
ANTRIM
Postcode
BT41 2RL
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN0D Antrim and Newtownabbey
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Antrim and Newtownabbey
Electoral Ward
Springfarm
Westminster Constituency
South Antrim

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PILLPACPLUS

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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