General Wound care

NHS Supply Chain seeks to establish a framework agreement under which it will be entitled to purchase supplies and/or services which it will make available for purchase by 1) any NHS Trust; 2) any other NHS entity; 3) any government department, agency or other statutory body and/or 4) any private sector entity active in the UK healthcare sector. Only NHS Supply Chain can order from the Framework Agreement and enter into contracts under it.

The framework will cover a large range of products to help influence ideal wound healing environments, prevent infection and skin breakage including, but not limited to general use bandages, medical swabs, gauze absorbents, cotton wool, first aid kits, plasters, ambulance and emergency products.

It is anticipated that initial expenditure for this framework will be in the circa £13,500,000 to £14,500,00 GBP in the first year of this framework agreement. If the Framework Agreement is extended to the maximum duration, the anticipated expenditure will be circa £54,000,000 to £58,000,000 GBP (exc VAT).

These are approximates only and the values may vary depending on the requirements of those bodies purchasing under the Framework Agreement.

We have concluded preliminary market engagement with incumbent and potential new suppliers, the engagement consisted of:-

• 31 Suppliers have responded to the PIN (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028816-2024) with either a question or provided information in relation to the RFI, of these the below have asked specific questions in relation to:

o 1 Supplier requested further information on commodity tracking.

o 1 Supplier requested further information on what MSAT category the framework will be given.

o 4 Suppliers requested confirmation on what products would or would not be included on the framework

o 5 Supplier have asked questions in relation to the specification and product listing which have been reviewed and where necessary adjustments made, these questions included products which may have been missed off and standards applied to some of these products.

o 1 supplier asked a question about the award criteria within a specific lot.

o These questions and information provided by suppliers were between 10/09/2024 and 14/02/2025.