---
title: "DHSC: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR): Research Commissioning and Management Services Lot 1"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-cba52367-1995-4332-be98-41533dc6089e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-cba52367-1995-4332-be98-41533dc6089e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cba52367-1995-4332-be98-41533dc6089e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cba52367-1995-4332-be98-41533dc6089e.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "Department of Health & Social Care"
published: "2026-08-13"
---

# DHSC: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR): Research Commissioning and Management Services Lot 1

Buyer: Department of Health & Social Care  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-cba52367-1995-4332-be98-41533dc6089e

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## Summary

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) procured research commissioning and management services for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), specifically Lot 1: Strategic Business Services and the One NIHR Hub. The work provides central coordination, leadership and assurance across NIHR, shared strategic business services, cross-cutting programmes, common standards and processes, and oversight, collaboration and continuous improvement. Its purpose is to help NIHR operate as a coherent system and maximise its impact for patients, the public, the health and care system and the economy. The service is delivered in the United Kingdom. This is a services requirement, classified under CPV 73110000 for research services.

The procurement has been completed and awarded following a selective competitive dialogue procedure above threshold. Bids had to be submitted by 5 March 2025 at 17:00. The estimated procurement value was £88,802,511. DHSC awarded the contract to LGC LIMITED on 20 July 2026 for £186,310,544. The contract runs from 20 July 2026 to 31 March 2032, with options to extend by up to four years. The award is active and covers Lot 1 only. The published procurement information records the contract as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises. The award value is higher than the original estimated procurement value.

This award shows sustained demand from DHSC for organisations able to manage large, nationally coordinated research commissioning and assurance functions. A credible future competitor would need strong research-services capability, proven programme and portfolio management, and the capacity to coordinate stakeholders across the health and care system. Experience of strategic leadership, cross-cutting initiatives, governance, assurance, standard-setting and continuous improvement would be relevant, alongside the ability to establish and operate shared services across a complex national network. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate reliable delivery at substantial scale, collaboration with public, clinical and research communities, and a clear focus on patient, public and economic impact. The procurement was identified as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, so capable smaller organisations may be relevant, including through consortium or specialist-partner arrangements.

## Notice

Lot 1, Strategic Business Services and the One NIHR Hub, provides the central coordination, leadership and assurance functions that enable NIHR to operate as a single, coherent system. It delivers shared strategic business services across the NIHR, leads cross-cutting programmes and initiatives, establishes common standards and processes, and provides the overarching framework to support oversight, collaboration and continuous improvement across NIHR as a whole. Through these functions, Lot 1 helps ensure that NIHR collectively delivers maximum impact for patients, the public, the health and care system and economy. There are options to extend the contract by up to 4 years.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a137878e-19ac-4a3e-8cc8-e1e56f893b62 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive dialogue (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 5 Mar 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 20 Jul 2026 |
| Contract period | 20 Jul 2026 - 31 Mar 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £88,802,511 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £186,310,544 |
| 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 | Department of Health & Social Care |
| Locality | LEEDS |
| Postcode area | Leeds |
| Postcode | LS2 7UE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE4 West Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE42 Leeds |
| Local authority | Leeds |
| Electoral ward | Little London & Woodhouse |
| Westminster constituency | Leeds Central and Headingley |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | LGC Limited |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services

## Release History

- 13 Aug 2026 at 11:35 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a137878e-19ac-4a3e-8cc8-e1e56f893b62

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a137878e-19ac-4a3e-8cc8-e1e56f893b62
  13th August 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/68d59dbe-2b13-463c-9377-9ec7733faec1
  Lot 1 - C454744_Redacted

## Provenance

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