---
title: "SDE Accreditation Readiness Audit"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-065d20"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065d20"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065d20.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065d20.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NHS ENGLAND"
published: "2026-02-26"
---

# SDE Accreditation Readiness Audit

Buyer: NHS ENGLAND  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-065d20

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065d20)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065d20.json)

## Summary

NHS England has completed the procurement process for the "SDE Accreditation Readiness Audit" with a focus on securing accreditation for the UKSA Secure Data Environment (SDE) by 2026. The contract, valued at £12,000 gross, was signed on 18 December 2025, with the service period running from 12 January to 31 March 2026. Located in London, this procurement falls under the health services category and involves stringent security, governance, and operational standards. The process utilised a direct procurement method below the threshold, without competition, and has now reached the award stage.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses capable of delivering specialised services in health data management, cybersecurity, governance, and operational assurance within a secure environment. The contract was awarded to the University of the West of England, indicating a preference for organisations with established expertise and resources in tackling complex health data challenges. Businesses in the consultancy, IT security, and compliance sectors, especially those familiar with public sector requirements, would be well-suited to compete for similar future contracts.

## Notice

There is strategic importance of achieving the planned 2026 UKSA Secure Data Environment (SDE) accreditation for NHS England and the necessity of conducting a readiness audit to ensure compliance and maximise outcomes. * The Data Access Policy sets out a clear commitment to make data access the default for secondary uses of NHS data, underpinned by secure, accredited environments. Accreditation is not optional--it is a DHSC policy requirement endorsed by the Goldacre and Sudlow Reviews and reinforced in the Data Saves Lives strategy. The policy mandates that all Secure Data Environments (SDEs) hosting NHS data must demonstrate compliance with stringent standards across: * Security and Cybersecurity - robust controls to prevent breaches and ensure resilience. * Governance and Transparency - clear accountability, public engagement, and ethical oversight. * Operational Assurance - evidence that platforms can deliver safe, scalable, an

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017379-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 26 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 18 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 12 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

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

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NHS ENGLAND |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South East London |
| Postcode | SE1 8UG |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI45 Lambeth |
| Local authority | Lambeth |
| Electoral ward | Waterloo & South Bank |
| Westminster constituency | Vauxhall and Camberwell Green |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85100000 - Health services

## Release History

- 26 Feb 2026 at 14:11 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017379-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017379-2026
  26th February 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.england.nhs.uk/
- 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-065d20. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065d20.json.