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Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Smoking Cessation Medication Postal Supply within Suffolk

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

24 Jul 2026 at 15:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council is in the planning phase of a public procurement process titled "Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Smoking Cessation Medication Postal Supply within Suffolk," with the intention of issuing a tender for the supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and smoking cessation medications. The procurement relates to the health services industry category and will take place within the UKH14 region, covering Suffolk. The Council is engaging in a soft market testing exercise, inviting suppliers to submit a questionnaire by 7 August 2026 to assess capabilities and explore potential delivery models. This exercise aims to inform an anticipated contract worth approximately £400,000 over two years, with the possibility of extension for up to another two years. Additionally, further market engagement activities may occur, culminating in a more formal procurement process anticipated to be communicated by 18 September 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the pharmaceutical, postal, and health service sectors. The potential contract includes two lots: one for the supply and postal delivery of NRT, and another for the provision of smoking cessation prescription medication through remote consultations. Businesses that can offer innovative delivery solutions, especially those capable of providing secure and efficient postal services, will find this tender particularly lucrative. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are deemed suitable for participation, offering a chance for diverse organisations to expand their market presence and contribute to the public health efforts in Suffolk.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Smoking Cessation Medication Postal Supply within Suffolk

Notice Description

Suffolk County Council (Public Health, Communities and Public Safety) is undertaking a soft market testing questionnaire to inform a potential future procurement for the postal supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and smoking cessation prescription medication. Smoking prevalence in Suffolk is currently estimated at 10.5%. The Council's ambition is to reduce this to 5% or below by 2030. NRT and prescribed smoking cessation medications are recognised as effective interventions to support people to quit smoking and remain an important element of the local stop smoking offer. The Council currently provides access to these products through a pharmacy-based pathway. However, not all clients are able to access participating pharmacies due to factors such as working hours, limited transport options or mobility issues. The Council is therefore exploring alternative delivery models to improve accessibility. The Council is considering a procurement comprising two lots. Suppliers may bid for either lot individually or for both lots. Lot 1 - Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Supply a range of NRT products following referral from the Council's commissioned stop smoking service (FGS) and deliver products directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service. Lot 2 - Smoking cessation prescription medication Undertake remote clinical consultations with clients referred by the stop smoking service to assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine and, where clinically appropriate, supply medication directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service. This exercise is exploratory and non-evaluative. It is intended to inform the Council's understanding of market capability, potential delivery models, implementation timescales and indicative costs. The anticipated contract value is approximately PS400,000 (approximately PS100,000 per annum) for an initial two-year contract with the option to extend for up to a further two years. This notice does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment to procure.

Planning Information

Suppliers are invited to participate in a soft market testing exercise by completing a structured questionnaire available via the following link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dXKKNdxuv2 Deadline for responses: 07/08/2026 This soft market testing exercise aims to: • understand current market capability and capacity • explore potential delivery models for one or both lots • identify innovation and opportunities to improve accessibility for service users • understand indicative implementation timescales and costs. The Council may undertake further market engagement activities, which could include supplier clarification discussions and/or wider engagement sessions. Participation is voluntary and will not influence any future procurement process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070447-2026
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
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

33600000 - Pharmaceutical products

64110000 - Postal services

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Sep 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 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
SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Post Town
Ipswich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC
Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

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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