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Return to Practice Test of Competence Preparation Programme

NHS England

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

28 Aug 2026 at 11:55

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

02 Jul 2026 at 15:17

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

02 Jul 2026 at 15:05

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

22 Jun 2026 at 10:32

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS England procured a Return to Practice Test of Competence Preparation Programme. The requirement is for delivery of education and training services, supporting people who are returning to practice and preparing for a test of competence. It is a service contract rather than a goods supply or construction project. NHS England is the buying organisation, with the programme serving NHS-related workforce needs. The procurement covers a single, defined programme rather than multiple service lots. The published scope identifies education and training services under CPV 80000000. Suppliers with experience designing and delivering structured preparation programmes, learner support and competence-focused training would recognise the core requirement. The programme is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, broadening the type of organisation that could credibly deliver it.

This procurement has reached award stage. NHS Professionals Limited was selected, with the award recorded as pending and subject to a standstill ending on 9 September 2026. The award date is 27 August 2026. NHS England used an above-threshold open procedure for one lot. The awarded value is £4,800,000 including VAT, with an initial contract period from 14 September 2026 to 30 September 2028 and optional extensions allowing operation until 31 March 2030. Two bids were received, including one from an SME. Evaluation weighted technical quality at 60%, social value at 10% and commercial considerations at 30%. The requirement may be affected by learner numbers and policy or regulatory changes, which could lead to scope and value modifications during delivery.

For a supplier that did not win, this award confirms a substantial NHS England requirement for specialist return-to-practice preparation and competence-focused education. A credible future competitor would need the teaching, curriculum design and learner-support capability to prepare participants for a formal test of competence, together with sufficient operational capacity to manage changing learner demand. The evaluation places greatest emphasis on technical quality, so evidence of effective programme design, delivery standards, quality assurance and measurable learner outcomes would be important. Social value is also a scored consideration, requiring a clear and deliverable approach rather than a purely commercial offer. The opportunity is explicitly suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises, while the selected supplier demonstrates that a large organisation can also provide the required scale and infrastructure.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Return to Practice Test of Competence Preparation Programme

Notice Description

NHS England ran an Open Procurement Process for the Delivery of the Return to Practice Test of Competence Preparation Programme. The maximum end date of any agreement will be 31/3/2030. The initial term of the agreement will be for 2 years. The maximum value of any awarded agreement will be PS4,800,000 exc. VAT. The deadline for submission of completed ITT submissions was 31st July 2026 at 12:00pm (midday).

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract may be extended up to 31/03/2030.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b9c6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082127-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,800,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,800,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£4,800,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
31 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 2026Expired
Award Date
27 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
14 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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

NHS PROFESSIONALS LIMITED

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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