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Published 8 Oct 2021, 12:05 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Agency Workers – Medical and Dental

Official notice

Authority: Regional Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Service·Consortium: 28 public authorities

Framework agreement6 lotsServicesOpen procedureSME suitableMax 2 lots to bid
Sectors: Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: UKNorthern Ireland (UKN)
Framework ceiling (notional)£345,000,000total for 6 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 3 value updates
Submissions closed 25 Mar 2025awarded 2 Feb 2026
Lots 6max 2 to bid

What is being bought6 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Supply of Agency Workers - Medical and Dental (Medical Locums) to Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland

CPV: Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security · Recruitment services · Supply services of medical personnel · Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

How this framework works

From the published notice
Places
up to 200 suppliers · 91 bids on the busiest of 6 lots (0.5 per place) · 106 appointed

Lots and requirements (6)Procurement structure

6 lots · all with a published value · a supplier may bid for at most 2 of them · evaluation weights differ by lot
Lot #1Lot-1 - FY1, FY2, CT1, CT2, ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, Specialty DoctorAwardedRenewalPublished value£155,000,000

Supply of Agency Workers - Medical and Dental (Medical Locums) to Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. Additional information: The value in V.2.4 is the upper limit in the range £270,000,000 - £310,000,000 and accounts for the potential spend on Lot 1 over the initial 2-year period plus a potential 2-year extension to the Framework. This value is provided for information purposes only. None of the figures above represent a guarantee of uptake or minimum demand.

Delivery: UK, Northern Ireland
Extensions: Period or periods of up to 24 months from the expiry of the initial term as described in Clause 2.2 of the SS71 Framework Agreement. · Period or periods together totaling up to 24 months from the expiry of the initial term as described in Clause 2.2 of the SS71 Framework Agreement.Variant bids: not allowed
79600000 Recruitment services79620000 Supply services of personnel including temporary staff79625000 Supply services of medical personnel
Lot #2Lot-2 - Consultant, Specialist, Associate SpecialistAwardedRenewalPublished value£190,000,000

Supply of Agency Workers - Medical and Dental (Medical Locums) to Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. Additional information: The value in V.2.4 is the upper limit in the range £330,000,000 - £380,000,000 and accounts for the potential spend on Lot 2 over the initial 2-year period plus a potential 2-year extension to the Framework. This value is provided for information purposes only. None of the figures above represent a guarantee of uptake or minimum demand.

Delivery: UK, Northern Ireland
Extensions: Period or periods of up to 24 months from the expiry of the initial term as described in Clause 2.2 of the SS71 Framework Agreement. · Period or periods together totaling up to 24 months from the expiry of the initial term as described in Clause 2.2 of the SS71 Framework Agreement.Variant bids: not allowed
79600000 Recruitment services79620000 Supply services of personnel including temporary staff79625000 Supply services of medical personnel
Lot #3Professional and TechnicalAwardedRenewalPublished value£40,000,000

Supply of non-medical Agency Workers (Excluding Nurses and Healthcare Support Workers) to Health and Social Care Trusts and other Healthcare organisations in Northern Ireland. Additional information: The value in V.2.4 is the upper limit in the range £30,000,000 - £40,000,000 and accounts for the potential spend on Lot 3 over the initial 2-year period plus a potential 2-year extension to the Framework. Should the option for an additional 18 months extension be used, as per clause 2.3 in the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts, the range will be a potential spend of £40,000,000 - £54,000,000. None of the figures above represent a guarantee of uptake or minimum demand.

Delivery: UK, Northern Ireland
Extensions: Options for further extension periods; a) period or periods together totalling no more than 24 months as described in clause 2.2 of the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services and, or b) for a further period or periods totalling no more than 18 months in the circumstances described in clause 2.3 of the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services.Variant bids: not allowed
79600000 Recruitment services79620000 Supply services of personnel including temporary staff
Lot #4SpecialistAwardedRenewalPublished value£23,000,000

Supply of non-medical Agency Workers (Excluding Nurses and Healthcare Support Workers) to Health and Social Care Trusts and other Healthcare organisations in Northern Ireland. Additional information: The value in V.2.4 is the upper limit in the range £17,000,000 - £23,000,000 and accounts for the potential spend on Lot 4 over the initial 2-year period plus a potential 2-year extension to the Framework. Should the option for an additional 18 months extension be used, as per clause 2.3 in the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts, the range will be a potential spend of £23,000,000 - £31,000,000. None of the figures above represent a guarantee of uptake or minimum demand.

Delivery: UK, Northern Ireland
Extensions: Options for further extension periods; a) period or periods together totalling no more than 24 months as described in clause 2.2 of the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services and, or b) for a further period or periods totalling no more than 18 months in the circumstances described in clause 2.3 of the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services.Variant bids: not allowed
79600000 Recruitment services79620000 Supply services of personnel including temporary staff
Lot #5General Admin and ClericalAwardedRenewalPublished value£135,000,000

Supply of non-medical Agency Workers (Excluding Nurses and Healthcare Support Workers) to Health and Social Care Trusts and other Healthcare organisations in Northern Ireland. Additional information: The value in V.2.4 is the upper limit in the range £100,000,000 - £135,000,000 and accounts for the potential spend on Lot 5 over the initial 2-year period plus a potential 2-year extension to the Framework. Should the option for an additional 18 months extension be used, as per clause 2.3 in the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts, the range will be a potential spend of £135,000,000 - £185,000,000. None of the figures above represent a guarantee of uptake or minimum demand.

Delivery: UK, Northern Ireland
Extensions: Options for further extension periods; a) period or periods together totalling no more than 24 months as described in clause 2.2 of the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services and, or b) for a further period or periods totalling no more than 18 months in the circumstances described in clause 2.3 of the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services.Variant bids: not allowed
79600000 Recruitment services79620000 Supply services of personnel including temporary staff
Lot #6Support ServicesAwardedRenewalPublished value£112,000,000

Supply of non-medical Agency Workers (Excluding Nurses and Healthcare Support Workers) to Health and Social Care Trusts and other Healthcare organisations in Northern Ireland. Additional information: The value in V.2.4 is the upper limit in the range £85,000,000 - £112,000,000 and accounts for the potential spend on Lot 6 over the initial 2-year period plus a potential 2-year extension to the Framework. Should the option for an additional 18 months extension be used, as per clause 2.3 in the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts, the range will be a potential spend of £110,000,000 - £150,000,000. None of the figures above represent a guarantee of uptake or minimum demand.

Delivery: UK, Northern Ireland
Extensions: Options for further extension periods; a) period or periods together totalling no more than 24 months as described in clause 2.2 of the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services and, or b) for a further period or periods totalling no more than 18 months in the circumstances described in clause 2.3 of the SS17ac Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services.Variant bids: not allowed
79600000 Recruitment services79620000 Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored

Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.

LotQualityPriceSocial valueSplit
1 · Lot-1 - FY1, FY2, CT1, CT2, ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, Specialty Doctor60%30%10%
2 · Lot-2 - Consultant, Specialist, Associate Specialist60%30%10%
3 · Professional and Technical50%40%10%
4 · Specialist50%40%10%
5 · General Admin and Clerical50%40%10%
6 · Support Services50%40%10%
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 30–40 points depending on the lot; most lots put it at 40 points.
  • “Agency Workers – Medical and Dental” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 200 suppliers, not a single contract.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes
First published
8 Oct 2021, 12:05 BST
Last source update
28 Apr 2026, 10:36 BST
Award evaluation window
25 Mar 2025 – …
Authority reference
5808902
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-038388
Classification (CPV)
Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and securityRecruitment servicesSupply services of medical personnelSupply services of personnel including temporary staff
Delivery area
UKNorthern Ireland (UKN)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-02e9cd Find a Tender

Publisher note: In section 1.2, it is stated that this procurement is a joint procedure and contract award is by a Central Purchasing Body. This contract is not a joint contract, it is a Central Purchasing Body Contract operated by Regional Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Service (BSO PaLS) on behalf of the participants listed in section 1.1. The value in II.1.7 is the upper limit in the range £600,000,000 - £690,000,000 and accounts for the potential spend across all 2 Lots over the initial 2-year period plus a potential 2-year extension to the Framework. None of the figures above represent a guarantee of uptake or minimum demand.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: eTendersNI · Who buys & how to bid on eTendersNI
Supplier login requiredLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free Northern Ireland registration
Appointment period ends
25 Mar 2025, 15:00 GMT
Submission channel
{"electronicSubmission","written"}
Accepted languages
en
Bid validity
180 days from the deadline
Bids opened
25 Mar 2025, 15:30 GMT
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

etendersni.gov.uk/epps ↗

Timeline

1 Apr 2022 → 28 Apr 2026 · 5 dates
  1. Next notice expected
    1 Apr 2022, 00:00 BST
  2. Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
    25 Mar 2025, 15:00 GMT
  3. Bids opened
    25 Mar 2025, 15:30 GMT
  4. Bids must remain valid until396 days ago
    21 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
  5. Notice published178 days ago
    28 Apr 2026, 10:36 BST

Notice history

12 events · 7 releases on Find a Tender · since 20 Oct 2022
  1. Published value published: £735,000,000
    20 Oct 2022, 16:12 BST
  2. Status changed to active
    20 Oct 2022, 16:12 BST
  3. Procurement method changed
    20 Oct 2022, 16:12 BST
  4. Deadline published: 21 Nov 2022, 15:00 GMT
    20 Oct 2022, 16:12 BST
  5. Status changed to complete
    17 May 2023, 15:16 BST
  6. Published value updated to £420,000,000
    4 Oct 2023, 16:51 BST
    was £735,000,000
  7. Status changed to active
    4 Oct 2023, 16:51 BST
  8. Deadline moved to 8 Nov 2023, 15:00 GMT
    4 Oct 2023, 16:51 BST
    +352 days · was 21 Nov 2022, 15:00 GMT
  9. Published value updated to £345,000,000
    20 Feb 2025, 14:10 GMT
    was £420,000,000
  10. Deadline moved to 25 Mar 2025, 15:00 GMT
    20 Feb 2025, 14:10 GMT
    +503 days · was 8 Nov 2023, 15:00 GMT
  11. Status changed to complete
    6 Jun 2025, 16:30 BST
  12. Buyer details updated
    6 Jun 2025, 16:30 BST
Routine re-releases (7)
  • 2023-10: 1 release · 4 Oct 2023
  • 2023-05: 1 release · 17 May 2023
  • 2022-10: 1 release · 20 Oct 2022
  • 2021-10: 1 release · 8 Oct 2021

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 106admitted to the panel · see the list ↓
Bids received 9182 from SMEs · busiest of 6 lots
Contracts signed 10latest 2 Feb 2026

10 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.

Contracts

All 2 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £40,000,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.

  • Lot-1 - FY1, FY2, CT1, CT2, ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, Specialty Doctor

    Signed
    2 Feb 2026
    Value
    £310,000,000
    Status
    active

  • Lot-2 - Consultant, Specialist, Associate Specialist

    Signed
    2 Feb 2026
    Value
    £380,000,000
    Status
    active

  • Allied Health Professionals

    Signed
    8 May 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • Social Care Support Workers

    Signed
    8 May 2025
    Value
    £70,000,000
    Status
    active

  • Professional and Technical

    Signed
    8 May 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • Specialist

    Signed
    8 May 2025
    Value
    £23,000,000
    Status
    active

  • General Admin and Clerical

    Signed
    8 May 2025
    Value
    £135,000,000
    Status
    active

  • Support Services

    Signed
    8 May 2025
    Value
    £112,000,000
    Status
    active

  • Lot 1 - Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors

    Signed
    26 Apr 2023
    Value
    £530,000,000
    Status
    active

  • Lot 2 – Healthcare Support Workers

    Signed
    26 Apr 2023
    Value
    £205,000,000
    Status
    active

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Lot-1 - FY1, FY2, CT1, CT2, ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, Specialty Doctor90bids · 90 electronic · 90 from abroad81——
2 · Lot-2 - Consultant, Specialist, Associate Specialist91bids · 91 electronic · 91 from abroad82——
3 · Professional and Technical41bids · 41 electronic · 41 from abroad34——
4 · Specialist39bids · 39 electronic · 39 from abroad31——
5 · General Admin and Clerical52bids · 52 electronic · 52 from abroad40——
6 · Support Services46bids · 46 electronic · 46 from abroad36——

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

24 public bodies on the notice

Regional Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Service

Contracting authorityBody governed by public lawHealth 77 Boucher Crescent, Belfast, UK, BT12 6HUContact email

Consortium members and other public bodies

  • Belfast Health and Social Care TrustContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • Business Services OrganisationContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • Children’s Court Guardian Agency for Northern IrelandContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • DOH - Strategic Planning and Performance GroupContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • NI Ambulance Service TrustContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • NI Blood Transfusion ServiceContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • NI Fire and Rescue ServiceContracting authority Lisburn, UKContact email
  • NI Fire and Rescue ServicesContracting authority Lisburn, UKContact email
  • NI Medical and Dental Training AgencyContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • NI Patient Client CouncilContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • NI Patient Client Council PCCContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • NI Practice and Education Council for Nursing and MidwiferyContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • NI Public Health AgencyContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • NI Regulation and Quality Improvement AuthorityContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • NI Social Care CouncilContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • Northern Health and Social Care TrustContracting authority Antrim, UKContact email
  • Northern Ireland Ambulance Service TrustContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training AgencyContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and MidwiferyContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • Procurement and Logistics ServiceContracting authorityCentral purchasing bodyBody governed by public lawHealth Belfast, UKContact email Published organisation website ↗
  • Regulation and Quality Improvement AuthorityContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • South Eastern Health and Social Care TrustContracting authority Belfast, UKContact email
  • Southern Health and Social Care TrustContracting authority Portadown, UKContact email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

128 commercial parties on the notice · 50 awarded

The first 50 of 128 commercial parties (by name); the JSON mirror lists them all.

Show 40 more suppliers
  • Apple Recruitment Belfast LtdFramework contractor CAUSEWAY TOWER, 9 James Street South, BELFAST, UK, BT2 8DNContact email, phone
  • Aviteus Healthcare LimitedFramework contractor Alpha House, 296 Kenton Road, HARROW, UK, HA3 8DDContact email, phone
  • BALMORAL HEALTH CARE AGENCY LTDFramework contractor 146 Malone Road, BELFAST, UK, BT9 5LHContact email, phone
  • BFS HEALTHCARE LTDFramework contractor UNIT 47 NORTH CITY BUSINESS CENTRE, 2 DUNCAIRN GARDENS, BELFAST, UK, BT15 2GGContact email, phone
  • BLUE ARROW LTD.Framework contractor Office 324, Scottish Provident Building, 7 Donegal Square West, Belfast, UK, BT1 6JHContact email, phone
  • Bond Search and Selection LtdFramework contractor 21 James Street South, BELFAST, UK, BT2 7GAContact email, phone
  • Brook Street UK LimitedFramework contractor Capital Court, Windsor Street, Uxbridge, UK, UB8 1ABContact email, phone
  • CAMHS PROFESSIONALS LIMITEDFramework contractor Unit 2 5 Hepscott Road Stonemasons Yard, LONDON, UK, E9 5HBContact email, phone
  • CARRIK CARE LTD.Framework contractor 29 WEST STREET, CARRICKFERGUS, UK, BT38 7ARContact email, phone
  • CLINICALPRO LTDFramework contractor Neptune House 8-11 Clements Court, Clements Lane, ILFORD, UK, IG1 2QZContact email, phone
  • CONCEPT CARE SOLUTIONS LIMITEDFramework contractor FIRST FLOOR, MIDDLESEX HOUSE, EDGWARE, UK, HA8 7UUContact email, phone
  • COYLE PERSONNEL LTDFramework contractor Hygeia First Floor, HARROW, UK, HA1 1BEContact email, phone
  • CPL SolutionsFramework contractor One Haddington Buildings, Haddington Road, Dublin, IE, D04 X4C9Contact email, phone
  • Career Locum Group Ltd.Framework contractor 61 Bridge Street, Kington, UK, HR5 3DJContact email, phone
  • Carepro LtdFramework contractor Neptune House 8-11 Clements Court, Clements Lane, Ilford, Essex, England, Essex, UK, ig1 2qzContact email, phone
  • DAYTIME HEALTHCARE RECRUITMENT LIMITEDFramework contractor 7th Floor 6 Mitre Passage, LONDON, UK, SE10 0ERContact email, phone
  • DIAMOND MEDICAL LIMITEDFramework contractor 19 Green Pond Close, LONDON, UK, E17 6EEContact email, phone
  • DIRECT MEDICS LTDFramework contractor 33 Stockmans Way, BELFAST, UK, BT9 7ETContact email, phone
  • DIRECT MEDICS LTDFramework contractor 33 STOCKMAN'S WAY, BELFAST, UK, BT9 7ETContact email, phone
  • Dedicare Healthcare LimitedFramework contractor First Floor, Nesfield House, Broughton Hall Business Park, Skipton, SKIPTON, UK, BD23 3AEContact email, phone
  • ELECTUS PROFESSIONALS LTDFramework contractor 314 Midsummer Boulevard, MILTON KEYNES, UK, MK9 2UBContact email, phone
  • ELEVATION HEALTHCARE LTDFramework contractor 6th Floor, 30 Churchill Place, London, UK, E14 5REContact email, phone
  • EVEREST RECRUITMENT AND SERVICES LTDFramework contractor Ribble Saw Mill, Paley Road., PRESTON, UK, PR1 8LTContact email, phone
  • FIRST CHOICE SELECTION SERVICES LTDFramework contractor 23 Church Street, BELFAST, UK, BT1 1PGContact email, phone
  • FIRST CHOICE SELECTION SERVICES LTDFramework contractor 23 CHURCH STREET, BELFAST, UK, BT1 1PGContact email, phone
  • FRONTLINE RECRUITMENT GROUP LTDFramework contractor Shields House 19-21 James Street South, BELFAST, UK, BT2 7GAContact email, phone
  • FRONTLINE RECRUITMENT GROUP LTDFramework contractor SHIELDS HOUSE, 19-21 JAMES STREET SOUTH, BELFAST, UK, BT2 7GAContact email, phone
  • GLOBE LOCUMS LIMITEDFramework contractor 101 New Cavendish Street, 1st Floor South, LONDON, UK, W1W 6XHContact email, phone
  • GLOBE LOCUMS LIMITEDFramework contractor Ludgate House 107-111 Fleet Street, LONDON, UK, EC4A 2ABContact email, phone
  • GRAYSCALE MEDICAL LTDFramework contractor Hunters Moon Little Lane, Saunderton, PRINCES RISBOROUGH, UK, HP27 9NWContact email, phone
  • Gateway connect ltdFramework contractor 1 Harefiled Road, The Atrium, London, UK, Ub81hbContact email, phone
  • HAUGHEY RECRUITMENT LTDFramework contractor 15 Georges Street, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, UK, BT70 1BTContact email, phone
  • HAYS SPECIALIST RECRUITMENT LTDFramework contractor 4th Floor, 20 Triton Street, London, UK, NW1 3BFContact email, phone
  • HCRG WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS LIMITEDFramework contractor 33 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QU, London, UK, W1D 3QUContact email, phone
  • HIVE WORKFORCE LTDFramework contractor 33 North Street, CARRICKFERGUS, UK, BT38 7AQContact email, phone
  • HKL HOLDINGS LIMITEDFramework contractor 20 HARCOURT STREET, DUBLIN 2, IE, D02 H364Contact email, phone
  • HONEYCOMB JOBS LIMITEDFramework contractor The Linenhall, 32-38 Linenhall Street, BELFAST, UK, BT2 8BGContact email, phone
  • ID MEDICAL GROUP LTDFramework contractor Unit 2 Mill Square, Milton Keynes, UK, MK12 5ZDContact email, phone
  • INTERACT MEDICAL LTDFramework contractor Metropolitan House, MILTON KEYNES, UK, MK9 2GAContact email, phone
  • INTERNATIONAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS LIMITEDFramework contractor 124 City Road, LONDON, UK, EC1V 2NXContact email, phone

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Economic and financial selection criteriatenderEconomic and financial selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria