Where to find healthcare tenders in the UK.

Firstly, what are healthcare tenders?

Healthcare tenders are formal offers or invitations issued by public or private sector organizations seeking to procure healthcare services, supplies, or solutions. These tenders represent opportunities for businesses, including healthcare providers, suppliers, and service companies, to bid on contracts to deliver specific healthcare-related goods or services. The tendering process is a competitive way for organizations to ensure they select the best provider based on criteria like cost, quality, experience, and compliance.

Types of Healthcare Tenders

1. Clinical Services Tenders:

   • Contracts for providing direct patient care, such as medical, nursing, or therapy services in hospitals, clinics, care homes, or in the community.
   • Example: A tender to operate an outpatient clinic for a specific medical specialty.

2. Support Services Tenders:

   • Contracts for non-clinical services that support healthcare delivery, such as cleaning, catering, or administrative services.
   • Example: A tender to provide catering services for a hospital.

3. Medical Supplies and Equipment Tenders:

   • Contracts for the supply of medical devices, equipment, or consumables like syringes, gloves, or diagnostic tools.
   • Example: A tender to supply hospital beds or imaging equipment to NHS Trusts.

4. Pharmaceutical Tenders:

   • Contracts for the supply of medicines or pharmaceutical products to healthcare providers.
   • Example: A tender for the supply of a specific drug or vaccine to the NHS.

5. IT and Digital Health Tenders:

   • Contracts for technology solutions, such as electronic health records (EHR) systems, telehealth platforms, or data management services.
   • Example: A tender to implement a new patient management system across a healthcare network.

6. Facilities Management Tenders:

   • Contracts for the management and maintenance of healthcare facilities, including buildings, grounds, and utilities.
   • Example: A tender for managing the maintenance of a hospital’s physical infrastructure.

7. Consultancy and Advisory Services Tenders:

   • Contracts for consultancy services in areas like healthcare management, policy development, or financial planning.
   • Example: A tender for consulting on the integration of primary and secondary care services.

8. Public Health and Community Services Tenders:

   • Contracts for delivering public health initiatives, community health programs, or services like smoking cessation or weight management.
   • Example: A tender for running a community mental health outreach program.

So, what is the tendering process for such bids?

The tendering process in the UK is relatively structured compared to other international markets. The buying authority generally goes through these six steps:

1. Publication:

The tendering authority (e.g., NHS, local authority) publishes a tender notice outlining the service or goods required, eligibility criteria, deadlines, and evaluation process.

1. Expression of Interest (EOI):

Interested providers may need to submit an EOI, signaling their intent to participate and providing basic information about their capabilities.

1. Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) or often called an SQ:

Providers may complete a PQQ/SQ to demonstrate they meet the minimum requirements, such as financial stability, relevant experience, and compliance with regulations.

1. Invitation to Tender (ITT):

Qualified providers are invited to submit detailed proposals outlining how they will deliver the service, their pricing, timelines, and other relevant details.

1. Evaluation and Award:

The tendering authority evaluates all submissions based on set criteria, such as cost-effectiveness, quality, innovation, and compliance. The contract is then awarded to the best-suited provider.

1. Contract Implementation:

The winning provider begins delivering the service or goods as per the contract terms. Performance is monitored to ensure compliance with the contract.

Healthcare tenders are an important way for public and private sector organizations to procure services and supplies, ensuring value for money and high standards in healthcare delivery.

Where can we find healthcare tenders?

In the UK, you can find healthcare tenders through several key platforms and resources:

• Healthcare Tenders

Healthcare Tenders, brought to you by Hudson Outsourcing, brings the available healthcare tenders available at the moment in time into one portal. Scraping over 1,000 different sources, it is a comprehensive source of healthcare bids that is updated daily.

• askabidwriter.com

Similar to Healthcare Tenders, for only £45+vat per month you can access available healthcare opportunities while also asking any bid related questions you want 24-7. With a cancel anytime feature it is a great source of opportunities mixed with support.

• Contracts Finder:

Contracts Finder is the UK government’s portal for finding public sector contracts, including healthcare tenders. It lists opportunities worth over £10,000 from across the public sector.

• NHS Sourcing Portals:

NHS Supply Chain: NHS Supply Chain. Manages procurement for the NHS, including medical supplies and healthcare services.

NHS Tenders: Some NHS Trusts use specific portals like Atamis and ProContract, where you can find tenders directly related to healthcare services.

• Find a Tender Service (FTS):

Website: Find a Tender Service. FTS is the UK’s official platform for high-value public procurement contracts post-Brexit, replacing the EU’s OJEU/TED system. It lists large-scale healthcare and other public sector tenders.

• Local Authority Websites:

Many local authorities post healthcare-related tenders on their procurement or tendering pages. You can check individual council websites for opportunities in specific regions.

• Crown Commercial Service (CCS):

Website: Crown Commercial Service. CCS procures common goods and services for the public sector, including healthcare, and has a range of frameworks that you can apply to.

• Public Health England (PHE) and Local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs):

These organizations may issue tenders for specific public health services or commissioning healthcare services in local areas. Their websites or associated portals may list relevant opportunities.

• Specialized Tender Portals:

Tenders Electronic Daily (TED): TED. Although it primarily covers EU tenders, TED still lists relevant opportunities that could be of interest to UK-based suppliers.

• Networking and Professional Associations:

NHS Confederation: NHS Confederation. Provides information, resources, and sometimes notifications about upcoming tenders.

Health Service Journal (HSJ): HSJ. A subscription-based resource that provides news and updates, including potential tender opportunities.

Industry Events and Trade Shows: Attending healthcare industry events and trade shows can be a good way to network and discover upcoming tender opportunities directly from NHS Trusts, local authorities, and other commissioners.

In conclusion, registering on these platforms and keeping an eye on relevant announcements will help you stay informed about new tenders. You might also consider setting up email alerts where possible to get notifications about opportunities that match your service offerings.

Bid Writing Support

When you’ve not approached a bidding exercise before, the whole process can be quite daunting. That’s why companies like Safeguard Business Support and Hudson Outsourcing exist, to guide you through the process.

If you want to learn how to bid, and bring those important skills in house, you could sign up to Tender VLE. An online course aimed at training key personnel in how to bid and how to see greater success when bidding.

In conclusion, there is a vast number of bidding portals in the UK, in the region of around 1,500 different sites where bids are posted. Not to mention social media. It can be quite daunting, but rest assured, when signing up to Safeguard Business Support’s subscriber portal, Jill can guide you every step of the way. She has even agreed a discounted bid writing service from Hudson Outsourcing, and a reduced rate for bidding portal Healthcare Tenders. Get in touch today and start winning.