---
title: "National Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Enablement and Transformation Solutions"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-c40718f7-fae9-4e3b-a2cf-c125f634c8c1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-c40718f7-fae9-4e3b-a2cf-c125f634c8c1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c40718f7-fae9-4e3b-a2cf-c125f634c8c1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c40718f7-fae9-4e3b-a2cf-c125f634c8c1.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
published: "2026-02-10"
---

# National Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Enablement and Transformation Solutions

Buyer: COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-c40718f7-fae9-4e3b-a2cf-c125f634c8c1

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## Summary

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Commercial Procurement Service is extending its National Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Enablement and Transformation Solutions, with a current procurement stage at the award phase. This framework is aimed at facilitating digital transformation across the NHS and the wider public sector by offering agile technological solutions and a managed service for scalable local solutions. The extension announced in February 2026 adds an additional 12 months with an option for a further 12 months, potentially extending the agreement to February 2028. The procurement method utilised is an open procedure (above the threshold), with the contract originally awarded to FORTRUS LIMITED, starting on 9th February 2022 with an initial end date of 8th February 2026. The industry category is primarily centred on IT services, computer equipment, and supplies, with the framework applicable across the United Kingdom.

This extension provides substantial opportunities for technology firms, especially those specialising in informatics services, to engage in a high-value contract amounting to £10 billion GBP. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, given their suitability criteria. This tender is well-suited for businesses that deliver innovative digital solutions, consulting, and support services within the IT industry. By joining this framework, companies can significantly increase their market footprint and contribute to the digital evolution of the NHS and other public sector bodies. This procurement allows businesses to amplify their presence while investing in scalable, future-ready technology frameworks.

## Notice

Update February 2026: This notice is being published to extend the duration of the framework agreement only. All other aspects of the Contract Award Notice (reference 2022/S 000-003799) published in February 2022 remain the same. This framework agreement will extended for an initial period of 12 months, with the option to extend for a further 12 months. This will give a total possible extension of 24 months. A further notice will be published if the optional further 12 month month extension is taken. ====================================================== The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Commercial Procurement Service wishes to establish a new framework to enable and support continued digital transformation within the NHS and wider public sector. The purpose of this Framework is to enable a provider to supply both agile technological solutions and also harness and deliver scalable solutions developed at a local level, under a managed service. The successful supplier will be a provider of technology and informatics services, who will support client organisations in delivering the digital transformation. The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's Commercial Procurement Service anticipates appointing the highest scoring Tenderer (which has met the minimum requirements which are set out in these ITT documents) to supply the services detailed within the specification at SCHEDULE A FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT SPECIFICATION. Additional information: Suppliers Instructions How to Express Interest and bid for this ITT: 1. Browse to the esourcing portal https://www.nhssourcing.co.uk (https://www.nhssourcing.co.uk) and click on view current opportunities 2. Select the title of the ITT. 3. Review the ITT, Framework Agreement Specification, Prerequisites and List of Eligible Users (you may do this without registering). 4. Register your organisation on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once). 5. Accept the portal terms and conditions and click 'continue', Enter yourorganisation and user details, Note the username you chose and click 'Save' whencomplete. You will shortly receive an e-mail with your unique password (please keepthis secure). 6. Login to the portal with the username/password. 7. Click the 'PQQs/ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link. (These are Pre QualificationQuestionnaires or Invitations to Tender open to any registered supplier) 8. Click on the relevant PQQ/ITT to access the content. 9. Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of the page. This will move thePQQ/ITT into your 'My PQQs/My ITTs' page. (This is a secure area reserved for yourprojects only). You can now access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments'in the 'PQQ/ITT Details' box. 10. Responding to the ITT. Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ/ITT Details', you canchoose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining) You can now use the Messages function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification. Note the deadline for completion, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the ITT. There may be a mixture of online and offlineactions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available) You must thensubmit your reply using the 'Submit Response' button at the top of the page. If yourequire any further assistance please consult the online help, or contact the Tendering help desk.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/429733fb-db7d-42b7-a9c3-196d0e11421b |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 23 Nov 2021 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 9 Feb 2022 |
| Contract period | 9 Feb 2022 - 8 Feb 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £10,000,000,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST |
| Additional buyers | COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL |
| Locality | CHESTER |
| Post town | Chester |
| Postcode | CH2 1UL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire |
| ITL 3 | TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester |
| Local authority | Cheshire West and Chester |
| Electoral ward | Upton |
| Westminster constituency | Chester North and Neston |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | FORTRUS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 30200000 - Computer equipment and supplies
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

## Release History

- 10 Feb 2026 at 10:20 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/429733fb-db7d-42b7-a9c3-196d0e11421b
- 9 Feb 2022 at 15:03 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0745d2ae-c885-456a-a137-751f69d2556f
- 20 Oct 2021 at 08:16 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ab254970-2e2c-4087-8136-ccfbaa8dfb7a

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/429733fb-db7d-42b7-a9c3-196d0e11421b
  10th February 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0745d2ae-c885-456a-a137-751f69d2556f
  9th February 2022 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ab254970-2e2c-4087-8136-ccfbaa8dfb7a
  20th October 2021 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/43850e1f-d769-4945-bb54-2324a301b8e8
  ITT
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/284ad011-4128-4c4e-9d44-45ada4ed19c4
  Framework Agreement Specification
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/bd2df007-8f3e-4552-b9ec-d5fd6d53f332
  Framework Agreement Prerequisites
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/cef81632-4a6d-4154-9ccd-4d3888d1c37a
  List of eligible framework users
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/cc8112cf-1f7a-4d86-a9ce-972dc91168ea
  FTS Contract Notice 2021/S 000-026195
- http://www.nhssourcing.co.uk
  Full ITT documentation and bid submission

## Notice URLs

- https://www.nhssourcing.co.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-c40718f7-fae9-4e3b-a2cf-c125f634c8c1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c40718f7-fae9-4e3b-a2cf-c125f634c8c1.json.