--- title: "Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Smoking Cessation Medication Postal Supply within Suffolk" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2026-07-24" --- # Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Smoking Cessation Medication Postal Supply within Suffolk Buyer: SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c.json) ## Summary Suffolk County Council is in the planning phase of a public procurement process titled "Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Smoking Cessation Medication Postal Supply within Suffolk," with the intention of issuing a tender for the supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and smoking cessation medications. The procurement relates to the health services industry category and will take place within the UKH14 region, covering Suffolk. The Council is engaging in a soft market testing exercise, inviting suppliers to submit a questionnaire by 7 August 2026 to assess capabilities and explore potential delivery models. This exercise aims to inform an anticipated contract worth approximately £400,000 over two years, with the possibility of extension for up to another two years. Additionally, further market engagement activities may occur, culminating in a more formal procurement process anticipated to be communicated by 18 September 2026. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the pharmaceutical, postal, and health service sectors. The potential contract includes two lots: one for the supply and postal delivery of NRT, and another for the provision of smoking cessation prescription medication through remote consultations. Businesses that can offer innovative delivery solutions, especially those capable of providing secure and efficient postal services, will find this tender particularly lucrative. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are deemed suitable for participation, offering a chance for diverse organisations to expand their market presence and contribute to the public health efforts in Suffolk. ## Notice Suffolk County Council (Public Health, Communities and Public Safety) is undertaking a soft market testing questionnaire to inform a potential future procurement for the postal supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and smoking cessation prescription medication. Smoking prevalence in Suffolk is currently estimated at 10.5%. The Council's ambition is to reduce this to 5% or below by 2030. NRT and prescribed smoking cessation medications are recognised as effective interventions to support people to quit smoking and remain an important element of the local stop smoking offer. The Council currently provides access to these products through a pharmacy-based pathway. However, not all clients are able to access participating pharmacies due to factors such as working hours, limited transport options or mobility issues. The Council is therefore exploring alternative delivery models to improve accessibility. The Council is considering a procurement comprising two lots. Suppliers may bid for either lot individually or for both lots. Lot 1 - Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Supply a range of NRT products following referral from the Council's commissioned stop smoking service (FGS) and deliver products directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service. Lot 2 - Smoking cessation prescription medication Undertake remote clinical consultations with clients referred by the stop smoking service to assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine and, where clinically appropriate, supply medication directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service. This exercise is exploratory and non-evaluative. It is intended to inform the Council's understanding of market capability, potential delivery models, implementation timescales and indicative costs. The anticipated contract value is approximately PS400,000 (approximately PS100,000 per annum) for an initial two-year contract with the option to extend for up to a further two years. This notice does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment to procure. ### Planning Information Suppliers are invited to participate in a soft market testing exercise by completing a structured questionnaire available via the following link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dXKKNdxuv2 Deadline for responses: 07/08/2026 This soft market testing exercise aims to: • understand current market capability and capacity • explore potential delivery models for one or both lots • identify innovation and opportunities to improve accessibility for service users • understand indicative implementation timescales and costs. The Council may undertake further market engagement activities, which could include supplier clarification discussions and/or wider engagement sessions. Participation is voluntary and will not influence any future procurement process. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070447-2026 | | 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 | 24 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 18 Sep 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £400,000 | | 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 | SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | IPSWICH | | Post town | Ipswich | | Postcode | IP1 2BX | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH6 Suffolk | | ITL 3 | TLH62 Ipswich | | Local authority | Ipswich | | Electoral ward | Gipping | | Westminster constituency | Ipswich | | Delivery location | TLH14 Suffolk CC | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products - 64 - Postal and telecommunications services - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 33600000 - Pharmaceutical products - 64110000 - Postal services - 85100000 - Health services ## Release History - 24 Jul 2026 at 15:01 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070447-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070447-2026 24th July 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.suffolk.gov.uk - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dXKKNdxuv2 - 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-06d39c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c.json.