--- title: "'Always-on' partnership with UCAS" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069232" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069232" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069232.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069232.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "NHS ENGLAND" published: "2026-06-29" --- # 'Always-on' partnership with UCAS Buyer: NHS ENGLAND Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069232 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069232) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069232.json) ## Summary The procurement process initiated by NHS England involves the 'Always-on' partnership with UCAS, focusing on the healthcare industry to boost applicants to Nursing and Midwifery clinical programmes. The contract, valued at £628,636.36, was directly awarded to UCAS because of their unique capabilities and role as the UK government's appointed provider for university admissions. This contract commenced on 25th July 2025, with the most recent updates of the award phase on 11th May 2026. It covers services related to marketing and advertising within the UK, showcasing NHS England's commitment to modernising recruitment strategies and addressing workforce demands. The procurement method used was a direct award citing UCAS's specialised role as the justifying rationale. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in marketing, advertising, and recruitment services, particularly those with expertise in data-driven strategies. Companies capable of providing innovative solutions to attract diverse talent across traditional and non-traditional pathways will find this partnership beneficial. It also opens doors for businesses focused on serving the education and healthcare sectors, seeking to contribute to local economic growth by advancing into underserved markets. The involvement of large-scale, mission-focused organisations like UCAS suggests that companies equipped to handle complex, high-value projects would be well-positioned to compete in similar future initiatives. ## Notice Due to delays arising from administrative and operational circumstances, NHS England awarded this contract to UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) commencing 25/07/2025. The contract will focus on increasing the number of applicants to Nursing and Midwifery clinical programmes. Awarded to UCAS as the Government's appointed provider for University and College admissions. UCAS's unique capabilities in real-time data insights and targeted student engagement provide an opportunity to attract diverse talent, including those pursuing apprenticeships and non-traditional career pathways. This approach also aligns with the government's five missions, particularly: 1. Kickstarting Economic Growth: By supporting recruitment in underserved areas, the partnership fosters local economic development through high-value career opportunities. 2. Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity: Emphasising apprenticeships and alternative career pathways ensures equitable access to NHS careers for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups. 3. Building an NHS Fit for the Future: Modernising student atrraction and recruitment through data-driven, responsive strategies ensures the NHS workforce is prepared to meet future healthcare demands. ### Procurement Information UCAS are the governments appointed provider for access to higher education. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/060577-2026 | | Notice type | UK11 - Contract Termination Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Direct | | Procurement method details | Direct award | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 29 Jun 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 5 May 2026 | | Contract period | 20 May 2026 - 24 Jun 2026 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £576,250 | | Contracts value | £576,250 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active, Pending | | Contracts status | Terminated | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NHS ENGLAND | | Additional buyers | Missing | | 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 | 2 | | Supplier names | UCAS MEDIA; UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ADMISSIONS SERVICE | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79340000 - Advertising and marketing services - 79342000 - Marketing services ## Release History - 29 Jun 2026 at 08:10 - ContractTermination - UK11 - Contract Termination Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/060577-2026 - 11 May 2026 at 14:29 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043106-2026 - 6 May 2026 at 13:51 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041543-2026 - 6 May 2026 at 09:46 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041406-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/060577-2026 29th June 2026 - Contract termination notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043106-2026 11th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041543-2026 6th May 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041406-2026 6th May 2026 - Transparency 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-069232. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069232.json.