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Always-on' partnership with UCAS

NHS England

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

25 Aug 2026 at 13:33

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
ContractTermination

29 Jun 2026 at 09:10

UK11 - Contract Termination Notice
Award

11 May 2026 at 15:29

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

06 May 2026 at 14:51

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

06 May 2026 at 10:46

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS England procured marketing and advertising services through an always-on partnership with UCAS. The work is intended to increase applications to nursing and midwifery clinical programmes, including by reaching diverse talent and people considering apprenticeships or non-traditional career routes. UCAS provides targeted student engagement and real-time data insights, supporting recruitment in underserved areas and widening access to NHS careers. The requirement relates to student attraction and recruitment rather than the delivery of clinical education or healthcare services. The named supplier is UCAS Media Limited, part of the University and Colleges Admissions Service. The procurement is led and funded by NHS England, a central government public authority. The published information does not identify a separate delivery location for the services.

The procurement was awarded by direct award to UCAS under Schedule 5, paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023, with the stated justification that both statutory conditions were met and technical reasons supported using a single supplier. One lot was completed. The award dated 6 May 2026 shows a value of £576,250 excluding VAT and £628,636.36 including VAT, with an award contract period from 19 May to 24 June 2026. The related contract was signed on 11 May 2026, ended on 24 June 2026 and was terminated because the contract was completed. A further active contract, signed on 21 August 2026, runs from 21 August 2026 to 19 August 2027 and is valued at £533,409. The original description says the partnership commenced on 25 July 2025.

This procurement demonstrates demand from NHS England for specialist student recruitment, advertising and marketing support focused on nursing and midwifery programmes. Suppliers would need credible capability in targeted engagement with prospective students, campaign planning and delivery, and the use of real-time data to identify and reach relevant audiences. Experience of attracting diverse applicants, including people from underserved areas and those considering apprenticeships or non-traditional routes, would be important. A competing provider would also need to show that it can support public-sector workforce objectives and translate recruitment activity into broader access to NHS careers. The direct award rationale indicates that UCAS was considered to have unique technical capabilities and a distinctive position as the Government’s appointed university and college admissions provider.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Always-on' partnership with UCAS

Notice Description

Due to delays arising from administrative and operational circumstances, NHS England awarded this contract to UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) commencing 25/07/2025. The contract will focus on increasing the number of applicants to Nursing and Midwifery clinical programmes. NHS England will submit the UK07 notice at the earliest opportunity afforded by the e-notification systems. Awarded to UCAS as the Government's appointed provider for University and College admissions. UCAS's unique capabilities in real-time data insights and targeted student engagement provide an opportunity to attract diverse talent, including those pursuing apprenticeships and non-traditional career pathways. This approach also aligns with the government's five missions, particularly: 1. Kickstarting Economic Growth: By supporting recruitment in underserved areas, the partnership fosters local economic development through high-value career opportunities. 2. Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity: Emphasising apprenticeships and alternative career pathways ensures equitable access to NHS careers for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups. 3. Building an NHS Fit for the Future: Modernising student atrraction and recruitment through data-driven, responsive strategies ensures the NHS workforce is prepared to meet future healthcare demands.

Procurement Information

Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023, as both statutory conditions applicable to the contract have been met

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069232
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080853-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79340000 - Advertising and marketing services

79342000 - Marketing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£576,250 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£1,109,659 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
6 May 20264 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active, Terminated

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS England
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8UG
Postcode Area
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

UCAS MEDIA LIMITED

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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