NHS tenders for £2.5bn Digital Workplace Solutions framework

NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has published a contract notice for the Digital Workplace Solutions 2 framework, worth £2.5 billion.

The framework is intended to connect NHS organisations and public sector buyers that wish to use the agreement with suppliers of core computing hardware infrastructure, as well as both tailored and generic software tools.

A contract notice, published on 19 September 2024, says the contract will run from 11 May 2025 until 10 May 2029 and is open to a maximum of 30 suppliers.

It advises potential bidders that the framework agreement is proposed to include “commercial off the shelf software licensing, bespoke software development, infrastructure equipment supply, infrastructure support and maintenance, [and] infrastructure management services” for equipment and software.

“NHS SBS are seeking to appoint a range of value-add resellers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) capable of providing hardware, software and services to approved organisations.

“As part of demonstrating capability bidders will be required to evidence the accreditations they hold with vendors to ensure the framework delivers maximum value for money.

“We are committed to working with suppliers who are dedicated to sustainability and social value and there will be a significant weighting on these elements in the tender,” the contract notice says.

The tender has been expanded by £1 billion since August 2023, when NHS SBS began market engagement with suppliers and published a prior information notice which stated that the maximum value would be £1.5 billion over four years.

Bids for a place on the framework are open until 12pm on 7 November 2024. Up to 30 of the highest-scoring suppliers will be awarded deals, or potentially more if scores are tied.

The existing Digital Workplace Solutions framework agreement, which began in August 2020 is due to expire on 9 August 2025.

Meanwhile, in August 2024, NHS SBS launched a joint tender with the North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative, called ‘Tech Devices – Link 4’, worth up to £1.5 billion for suppliers to provide computer hardware, including desktop computers, laptops, notebook devices, smartphones, tablets and wearables.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged that his government would create a 10-year plan based around “moving from an analogue to a digital NHS”, in response Lord Ara Darzi’s independent investigation into the state of the NHS.