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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 16:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council is exploring a future service to provide nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and smoking cessation prescription medication by post across Suffolk. The proposed procurement would support people referred by the Council’s commissioned stop smoking service, improving access for clients who cannot readily use participating pharmacies because of working hours, transport or mobility difficulties. Lot 1 would cover supplying a range of NRT products and delivering them through a reliable, secure postal service. Lot 2 would cover remote clinical consultations to assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine and, where clinically appropriate, supplying the medication directly to clients by secure post. The main category is pharmaceutical products, alongside postal and health services.

This process is at planning stage and is a non-evaluative soft market testing exercise, not an invitation to tender or a commitment to procure. Suppliers are asked to complete a structured questionnaire by 7 August 2026; the Council may also hold clarification discussions or wider engagement sessions. It expects to publish a subsequent notice by 18 September 2026. The potential contract is expected to start on 1 February 2027, run initially for two years to 31 January 2029, and have an extension option of up to two further years, ending by 31 January 2031. The anticipated value is approximately £400,000, around £100,000 per year, with a gross value of £480,000. Suppliers may offer either lot or both.

The exercise is intended to help the Council understand market capability, capacity, delivery models, innovation, accessibility improvements, implementation timescales and indicative costs, so it suits suppliers preparing for a possible future competition rather than seeking immediate work. Relevant providers are likely to include pharmaceutical distributors or specialist healthcare suppliers able to source and supply a range of NRT products, manage referrals and fulfil secure postal deliveries. Lot 2 would suit organisations with clinicians able to conduct remote consultations, assess clinical suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine and arrange appropriate medication supply. Suppliers with reliable fulfilment, secure handling and delivery processes will be well placed. Lot 1 is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

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 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Sep 2026Expired
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
Postcode Area
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)

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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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