NHS launches £1.5bn tender to provide computer hardware

The NHS has launched a joint tender worth up to £1.5 billion for suppliers to provide computer hardware, including desktop computers, laptops, notebook devices, smartphones, tablets and wearables.

NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) and North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOE CPC) launched the tender for a framework deal, called ‘Tech Devices – Link 4’, on 27 August 2024.

Framework agreements are lists of suppliers who have already demonstrated and acceptable level of capability, experience, competence and value through an open, competitive tendering process.

The contract is expected to last four years, with potential bidders needing to request participation by 2 October 2024.

NHS SBS and NOE CPC are to act as a combined agency on behalf of customer organisations in the NHS and social care who might themselves form consortia.

The resulting framework agreement will replace the existing IT Hardware and Services framework, Link 3, which launched in March 2021, and is endorsed by NHS England as a recommended route to market for digital and IT spend across the NHS.

The new framework agreement is split into four lots, which will have a maximum of 15 suppliers awarded onto Lot 1 and a maximum of 10 suppliers awarded to Lot 2, Lot 3 and Lot 4.

It covers the supply and associated services of all end user device requirements, including desktop PCs, laptops/notebooks, tablet devices, specialist healthcare-related IT hardware such as laptop carts and clinical displays for IT hardware and printing and scanning devices and all peripherals relating to these products.

Most of the spending is available in Lot 1, with a possible £1.2 billion in spending on equipment. Lot 2 addresses healthcare-related IT hardware such as medical workstations and built-in devices, with a value of up to £150 million.

Lot 3 is made up of printing and scanning devices which could be worth up to £50 million, and Lot 4 gives buyers the option of procuring refurbished devices at a maximum of £100 million.

Meanwhile, in August 2023, NHS SBS issued a prior information notice signalling its intention to begin negotiating with suppliers on a framework agreement for the provision of digital workplace solutions.