This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Nov 2026 at 21:31

Tender

03 Sep 2026 at 14:08

Summary of the contracting process

NHS England commissioned national education and training pathway models for Operating Department Practice (ODP) and podiatry. Both professions were identified as small and vulnerable, with declining recruitment, risks to workforce supply and projected future demand exceeding supply. The work is intended to strengthen workforce supply and support resilient services and access to care across hospital, community and preventative settings. It also aims to widen participation, make progression pathways more accessible and encourage digital-first learning that can reach more learners. This is an education and training services commission, covering the development of pathway models for both professions at a national level.

The procurement is complete and awarded to the University of Huddersfield; the contract was signed on 12 October 2026. It was run as a below-threshold open competition. The single lot had an estimated and awarded value of £80,000 excluding VAT (£96,000 including VAT). The planned contract period was 2 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, with a possible no-cost extension by agreement to complete the agreed activity. The signed contract period is recorded as 2 November 2026 to 1 April 2028. Bids were evaluated on technical quality (60%), social value (10%) and commercial considerations (30%). NHS England described a five-month project, while the tender description gave a six-month financial envelope.

For suppliers considering comparable workforce education commissions from NHS England, this award shows demand for national pathway design focused on professions facing recruitment decline and supply risk. A credible provider would need to develop practical education and training models for both Operating Department Practice and podiatry, with an understanding of workforce supply and future service demand. The work also favours expertise in widening participation, accessible progression routes and digital-first learning, while connecting education planning to resilient hospital, community and preventative care. The evaluation placed most weight on technical quality, with social value also assessed alongside price, so suppliers would need a strong delivery approach and a clear account of its wider social contribution as well as competitive commercial terms.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

AHP Education Pathway Development Small and Vulnerable Professions

Notice Description

National This project is to develop national education and training pathway models for Operating Department Practice (ODP) and Podiatry. Both professions have been identified as small and vulnerable, with declining recruitment, workforce supply risks and future demand projected to exceed supply. It supports inclusion and widening participation objectives, enables more accessible progression pathways and encourages digital-first learning methods that can expand reach. By strengthening workforce supply in ODP and Podiatry, the commission also contributes to more resilient services and improved access to care across hospital, community and preventative settings. Contract length is 5 months. The maximum financial envelope for this tender is PS80,000.00 ex VAT for 6 months.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: No-cost extension by agreement only, if required to complete agreed activity

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f15d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/103952-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
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
£80,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£80,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£80,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Nov 2026Today
Submission Deadline
24 Sep 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 1 Apr 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

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

University of Huddersfield

Further Information

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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