---
title: "Plastic Straws"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05dc6f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05dc6f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dc6f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dc6f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NHS WALES SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP-PROCUREMENT SERVICES (HOSTED BY VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST)"
published: "2025-11-07"
---

# Plastic Straws

Buyer: NHS WALES SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP-PROCUREMENT SERVICES (HOSTED BY VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST)  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05dc6f

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## Summary

The NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services, hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust, is initiating a procurement process for the supply of plastic drinking straws to be used within hospital wards, clinics, and care environments. This tender is currently at the planning stage and falls under the goods category with specific emphasis on catering supplies and plastic products. Located in Cardiff, United Kingdom (UKL22), the procurement seeks vendors who can provide straws suitable for patient use, adhering to specific UK and EU regulations. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their product specifications by 5th December 2025 and can expect a contract period from 1st February 2026 to 31st January 2027. The total value is projected to be up to £3,600.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses within the plastic product and catering supply sectors, particularly those capable of supplying food-grade, polypropylene or biodegradable plastic straws. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), are deemed suitable to compete for this tender, which promises both economic growth and increased exposure to healthcare sector requirements. The specified attributes such as compliance with safety and material standards open doors for companies capable of innovative and high-quality production, potentially leading to further contracts within the healthcare industry.

## Notice

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAVUHB) require the supply of drinking straws intended for use within hospital wards, clinics, and care environments to assist patients who are unable to drink independently or safely without the use of a straw. The product shall be suitable for use with both hot and cold beverages and designed for single-patient use. The straws are intended to support safe and dignified hydration for patients with limited mobility, coordination, or swallowing ability, and to facilitate assisted drinking by healthcare staff. Please see full requirement list below and provide the details to Lily.Prance@wales.nhs.uk - Please include the price and unit of measure. The product shall comply with the following, or equivalent, standards and regulations: * UK Food Contact Materials (FCM) Regulations (Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and SI 2019 No. 704) * UK Plastic Packaging Tax (where applicable) * UK Single-Use Plastics Directive exemptions for healthcare or patient-care use * Relevant BS EN standards for plastics in contact with food (e.g., BS EN 1186 series) * Food Safety Act 1990 Material Requirements: * Material: Food-grade polypropylene (PP) or biodegradable plastic alternative (e.g., PLA) suitable for contact with liquids intended for human consumption * Must be non-toxic, BPA-free, latex-free, and phthalate-free * Shall not impart taste, odour, or discoloration to liquids * Must withstand temperatures from 0degC to 70degC without deformation or leaching * Note: Paper or fibre-based materials are not acceptable under this specification Design and Dimensions: * Type: Flexible (bendable) drinking straw * Length: 200 +- 5 mm (standard adult) * Diameter: 6 +- 0.5 mm internal bore (suitable for water, juice, and nutritional supplements) * Colour: Natural, white, or light blue (transparent or translucent preferred) * Surface: Smooth finish with rounded, non-sharp edges to prevent oral injury * Flex section shall be durable and maintain shape after repeated bends * Option for shorter length (e.g., 150 mm) to suit paediatric or specialist care areas (if applicable) Safety and Performance: * Must maintain structural integrity during normal use * Shall not collapse under typical suction pressures (

### Planning Information

Please provide the range of products that meet this specification, including the price and unit of measure (box size) to Lily.Prance@wales.nhs.uk

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071899-2025 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Nov 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 8 Dec 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £3,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NHS WALES SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP-PROCUREMENT SERVICES (HOSTED BY VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST) |
| Locality | CARDIFF |
| Post town | Cardiff |
| Postcode | CF14 4HH |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan |
| Local authority | Cardiff |
| Electoral ward | Heath |
| Westminster constituency | Cardiff North |
| Delivery location | TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 19 - Leather and textile fabrics, plastic and rubber materials
- 39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

### Codes

- 19520000 - Plastic products
- 39222000 - Catering supplies

## Release History

- 7 Nov 2025 at 10:11 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071899-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071899-2025
  7th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-h6vhtk-05dc6f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dc6f.json.