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Integrated Core Systems (ICS)

NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

02 Jul 2026 at 14:09

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 May 2026 at 14:28

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is in the planning phase of procuring an Integrated Core Systems (ICS) project to revolutionise their emergency and non-emergency service management, located in Bolton, United Kingdom. This procurement involves implementing a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system along with an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) solution, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency across 999, 111, and Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services. The procurement process is in the preliminary market engagement stage as of July 2026, with suppliers invited to participate in briefing sessions and structured engagements to refine the procurement strategy. Key deadlines include expressing interest by 9th July 2026 and submitting supplier questionnaire responses by 12:00 noon on 29th July 2026. The anticipated timeline marks April 2027 for tender publication, October 2027 for contract award, and June 2029 for the go-live date. The total estimated gross value of the contract is £23.2 million.

This tender offers substantial business growth opportunities, particularly for companies specialising in software package and information systems, as well as IT services encompassing consulting, software development, internet, and support. Suitable businesses would need capabilities in implementing integrated systems that ensure seamless, real-time information flow and compliance with NHS standards. The project requires robust solutions for interoperability, resource optimisation, and supporting digital patient records across various healthcare scenarios. Engaging in this tender could enable companies to establish or strengthen their foothold within the healthcare technology market, with a long-term contract duration of up to ten years, allowing for relationship building and sustained service provision.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Integrated Core Systems (ICS)

Notice Description

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust ("the Trust") is preparing to undertake a procurement for a single Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system supporting 999, 111 and Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS), together with an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) solution for frontline clinicians and clinicians treating patients remotely. The EPR may be provided either as a fully integrated element of the CAD system or as a separate, interoperable solution. The scale and scope of this requirement represent a significant opportunity for the health systems market to contribute to the unification of emergency care services within a coherent framework, supporting operational efficiency and improved patient outcomes. Before initiating any procurement, the Trust intends to engage with the market to discuss a range of key topics, including those criteria considered critical to the success of any future procurement. The Trust is conducting preliminary market engagement to: * Test the feasibility of requirements * Understand delivery models * Understand record management and privacy monitoring capabilities * Refine our procurement strategy * Refine cost estimates and timelines * Develop our specification * Inform our outline business case Purpose: A unified, resilient CAD and EPR platform that manages the full patient and incident lifecycle from call intake through each care scenario including hear and treat, dispatch, see and treat and see and convey, clinical handover and post event reporting while meeting NHS security, information governance and availability expectations. The joint solution must minimise duplication, improve clinical safety, and provide real time information flow between control room operations and all care scenarios and locations. What we are (likely) procuring: * A computer aided dispatch and patient care record solution which can support all three service lines (999, 111, NEPTS) * Implementation and migration services * Training and change support * Interoperability/integration capability (APIs, messaging, etc.) * Ongoing support/managed service options (if applicable) Indicative Contract Dates: * Contract Award: October 2027 * Contract Start Date (start of implementation period): November 2027 * Contract Go Live (following implementation): June 2029 * End of initial 7 year contract term: June 2036 * End of maximum 10 year contract life: June 2039 * Contract length will be 7+1+1+1 (maximum 10 years) following Contract Go Live.

Planning Information

To express an interest in this pre market engagement please email strategicprocurement@nwas.nhs.uk. You will then be sent the pre market engagement questionnaire and invited to the open supplier briefing taking place on 10th July 2026. Suppliers are invited to: • Attend an open supplier briefing session: Friday 10th July 2026 Any suppliers who have expressed interest in this procurement by responding to either the UK1 Pipeline Notice or the UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement Notice by Thursday 9th July, will be automatically invited to this briefing session. • Optionally participate in structured 1:1 sessions if required: These sessions will be considered if required and will be open from Monday 13th July to Friday 24th July • Complete the Supplier Questionnaire in Part 2 of this document: Questionnaire responses must be submitted by email to strategicprocurement@nwas.nhs.uk by 12:00 hours (noon) on Wednesday 29th July 2026 Indicative procurement timetable: • Pre Market Engagement Opens: 2nd July 2026 • Indicative tender publication: April 2027 • Indicative contract award: October 2027 • Indicative go‑live window: June 2029

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069a3c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062364-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£19,300,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Jul 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 202710 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2027 - 30 Jun 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS 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
BOLTON
Postcode
BL1 5DD
Post Town
Bolton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD36 Greater Manchester North West
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)
Local Authority
Bolton
Electoral Ward
Heaton, Lostock & Chew Moor
Westminster Constituency
Bolton West

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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