Find a TenderAwarded without competition
Published 22 Nov 2022, 10:52 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification

Official notice

Authority: NHS England (Central government)·Consortium: 2 public authorities

3 lotsServicesAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Awarded value£58,412,3857 contracts · exc. VAT
Awarded 1 Apr 2026no call for competition
Awarded to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust +5 more10 awards

What is being bought3 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU), on behalf of NHS England Highly Specialised Services (referred to as the Commissioner), is undertaking a market engagement exercise to understand the current and future capacity and capability of providers and potential providers within this highly specialised area. All interested parties, including incumbent providers, are encouraged to register their interest and participate in the market engagement questionnaire which will provide feedback to commissioners. Please note that this is not a call for competition although the commissioner would encourage all potential providers to respond to this market engagement exercise. The outcome of this market engagement will help inform commissioners of the current and future capacity and capability of the market and will be considered to inform the commissioning approach.

CPV: Health and social work services · Health services

Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure

3 lots · no lot values published · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1North comprising the NHS England Regions: the North East and Yorkshire; the North West,Awarded UK, North East +2

The service is currently delivered by 6<br/>providers across the 3 Lots, as follows.<br/>The service will continue for the<br/>duration of this modification.<br/>i) Lot 1 - North comprising the NHS<br/>England Regions: the North East and<br/>Yorkshire; the North West<br/>* Manchester University NHS<br/>Foundation Trust<br/>ii) Lot 2 - the Midlands comprising the<br/>NHS England Regions: the Midlands;<br/>the East of England<br/>* Birmingham Women's and Children's<br/>NHS Foundation Trust<br/>* Cambridge University Hospitals NHS<br/>Foundation Trust<br/>iii) Lot 3 - London and the South:<br/>comprising the South East; the South<br/>West; London<br/>* Great Ormond Street Hospital for<br/>Children NHS Foundation Trust<br/>* Guys & St Thomas' Hospital NHS<br/>Foundation Trust

Lot #2the Midlands comprising the NHS England Regions: the Midlands; the East of EnglandAwarded East Midlands, West Midlands +1

This exercise is to commission a service that is able to expertly manage the provision of the Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children, including patients with suspected Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or equally rare ‘MS-like’, recurrent acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) or who have had a first demyelination episode and have a high risk of relapse which would require a similar treatment approach, including: Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMO, NMOSD) and other AQP4 antibody associated demyelination; Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) antibody associated relapsing demyelination and other forms of recurrent relapsing demyelination.

The MS Hub Lead Centres will be geographically spaced across the Regional areas of NHS England as follows:

i) Lot 1 - North comprising the NHS England Regions: the North East and Yorkshire; the North West,

ii) Lot 2 - the Midlands comprising the NHS England Regions: the Midlands; the East of England

iii) Lot 3 - London and the South: comprising the South East; the South West; London

We would like to hear from incumbent and potential paediatric providers who can meet the following essential criteria:

I. Have staff in place with paediatric neuroinflammatory expertise as listed in the service specification : (www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2… ↗);

II. Be currently actively managing, as an expert care provider and have seen face to face in the last year, a minimum of 20 children with paediatric Remitting Demyelinating Syndromes (RDS) (including first presentation or first event MS or high risk RDS);

III. Be actively prescribing innovative therapeutic pharmacological MS treatments for these children using the NHS England BluTeq online system;

IV. Have received in a tertiary capacity for expert review, five to ten new paediatric referrals of acute multiple sclerosis/MS-like cases per year in each of the last three years (2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21. With the requests being for second opinions/advice on the treatment plan.

V. Must be an existing provider of tertiary paediatric neurosciences.

The anticipated contract period is 3 years.

The Commissioner reserves the right to direct award where competition is absent.

This notice is to advise incumbent and prospective providers in the market of the commissioner’s intention to commission this service and to provide an opportunity to engage with and participate in a market engagement questionnaire. The outcome of this market engagement will help inform commissioners of the current and future capacity and capability of the market and will be considered with other evidence to inform the commissioning approach,

Applications may be made jointly where partners can demonstrate appropriate expertise and meet the service criteria set out in the questionnaire and service specification: multiple-sclerosis-mgt-for-children-sept-2017.pdf (england.nhs.uk)..

The questionnaire is available through the EU Supply portal: uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp ↗

The reference is 62208 and the closing date for submission of the completed questionnaire will be: 12pm, midday on Tuesday 20th December 2022.

Lot #3London and the South: comprising the South East; the South West; LondonAwarded London, South East +1

This exercise is to commission a service that is able to expertly manage the provision of the Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children, including patients with suspected Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or equally rare ‘MS-like’, recurrent acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) or who have had a first demyelination episode and have a high risk of relapse which would require a similar treatment approach, including: Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMO, NMOSD) and other AQP4 antibody associated demyelination; Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) antibody associated relapsing demyelination and other forms of recurrent relapsing demyelination.

The MS Hub Lead Centres will be geographically spaced across the Regional areas of NHS England as follows:

i) Lot 1 - North comprising the NHS England Regions: the North East and Yorkshire; the North West,

ii) Lot 2 - the Midlands comprising the NHS England Regions: the Midlands; the East of England

iii) Lot 3 - London and the South: comprising the South East; the South West; London

We would like to hear from incumbent and potential paediatric providers who can meet the following essential criteria:

I. Have staff in place with paediatric neuroinflammatory expertise as listed in the service specification : (www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2… ↗);

II. Be currently actively managing, as an expert care provider and have seen face to face in the last year, a minimum of 20 children with paediatric Remitting Demyelinating Syndromes (RDS) (including first presentation or first event MS or high risk RDS);

III. Be actively prescribing innovative therapeutic pharmacological MS treatments for these children using the NHS England BluTeq online system;

IV. Have received in a tertiary capacity for expert review, five to ten new paediatric referrals of acute multiple sclerosis/MS-like cases per year in each of the last three years (2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21. With the requests being for second opinions/advice on the treatment plan.

V. Must be an existing provider of tertiary paediatric neurosciences.

The anticipated contract period is 3 years.

The Commissioner reserves the right to direct award where competition is absent.

This notice is to advise incumbent and prospective providers in the market of the commissioner’s intention to commission this service and to provide an opportunity to engage with and participate in a market engagement questionnaire. The outcome of this market engagement will help inform commissioners of the current and future capacity and capability of the market and will be considered with other evidence to inform the commissioning approach,

Applications may be made jointly where partners can demonstrate appropriate expertise and meet the service criteria set out in the questionnaire and service specification: multiple-sclerosis-mgt-for-children-sept-2017.pdf (england.nhs.uk)..

The questionnaire is available through the EU Supply portal: uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp ↗

The reference is 62208 and the closing date for submission of the completed questionnaire will be: 12pm, midday on Tuesday 20th December 2022.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached
Procedure method
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Legal basis
CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
22 Nov 2022, 10:52 GMT
Last source update
8 Jul 2026, 08:30 BST
Authority reference
C442430
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-063897
Classification (CPV)
Health and social work servicesHealth services
Delivery area
UKNorth East (UKC)North West (UKD)Yorkshire & Humber (UKE)East Midlands (UKF)West Midlands (UKG)East of England (UKH)London (UKI)
+2 moreSouth East (UKJ)South West (UKK)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-038737 Find a Tender
Why no open competition
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive
Published justification

Following the PIN notice and market engagement exercise, it was apparent that competition was absent and direct awards have been placed with all capable providers for each of the Lots. The PIN and market engagement documentation clearly stated that commissioners would consider placing direct awards where competition is deemed to be absent following a review of the market engagement responses.

Publisher note: This is a Provider Selection Regime<br/>(PSR) contract modification notice,<br/>under the Health Care Services<br/>(Provider Selection Regime)<br/>Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of<br/>doubt, the provision of the Public<br/>Contracts Regulations 2015 do not<br/>apply to this award. This contract has<br/>now been formally modified.<br/>This contract modification was<br/>approved by the National<br/>Commissioning Group on 20th January<br/>2026.

How it was run

Official notice
Submission deadline
—

Timeline

12 Jan 2023 → 8 Jul 2026 · 2 dates
  1. Next notice expected
    12 Jan 2023
  2. Notice published106 days ago
    8 Jul 2026, 08:30 BST

Notice history

3 events · 12 releases on Find a Tender · since 16 Oct 2023
  1. Status changed to complete
    16 Oct 2023, 14:06 BST
  2. Procurement method changed
    16 Oct 2023, 14:06 BST
  3. Buyer details updated
    14 May 2026, 15:23 BST
Routine re-releases (12)
  • 2026-07: 3 releases · 7 Jul 2026, 7 Jul 2026
  • 2026-05: 4 releases · 14 May 2026, 19 May 2026
  • 2023-10: 1 release · 16 Oct 2023
  • 2022-11: 1 release · 22 Nov 2022

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 13
Awarded value £58,412,3857 contracts exc. VAT · 6 list or panel totals repeated on several suppliers, not summed
Bids received 7
Contracts signed 13latest 1 Apr 2026

3 further award records carry no date or value.

Contracts

  • Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification · CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,139,810
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023(PSR).<br/>The modification will extend the existing contract for an additional 8 months and the value of the modification is £2,286,667. The initial contract award value was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st April 2026., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR).
  • Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification · CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,139,810
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023(PSR).<br/>The modification will extend the existing contract for an additional 8 months and the value of the modification is £2,286,667. The initial contract award value was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st April 2026., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR).
  • Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification · CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,139,810
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023(PSR).<br/>The modification will extend the existing contract for an additional 8 months and the value of the modification is £2,286,667. The initial contract award value was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st April 2026., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR).
  • Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification · CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,139,810
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023(PSR).<br/>The modification will extend the existing contract for an additional 8 months and the value of the modification is £2,286,667. The initial contract award value was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st April 2026., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR).
  • Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification · Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,042,731
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023(PSR).<br/>The modifications will extend the existing contract for an additional 8 months and the value of all modifications for all 6 providers across the 3 Lots is £2,189,588. The initial contract award value for all 6 providers across the 3 Lots was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st April 2026.<br/>Please note that multiple contract modification notices are being published; one for each provider, due to system issues., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023(PSR).
  • Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification · CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,042,731
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023(PSR).<br/>The modifications will extend the existing contract for an additional 8 months and the value of all modifications for all 6 providers across the 3 Lots is £2,189,588. The initial contract award value for all 6 providers across the 3 Lots was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st April 2026.<br/>Please note that multiple contract modification notices are being published; one for each provider, due to system issues., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to allow the service to continue while allowing sufficient time to identify and complete the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with The Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023(PSR).
  • Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification · Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,042,731
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to<br/>allow the service to continue while<br/>allowing sufficient time to identify and<br/>complete the most appropriate<br/>procurement route in accordance with<br/>The Healthcare Services (Provider<br/>Selection Regime) Regulations<br/>2023(PSR).<br/>The modifications will extend the<br/>existing contract for an additional 8<br/>months and the value of all<br/>modifications for all 6 providers across<br/>the 3 Lots is £2,189,588. The initial<br/>contract award value for all 6 providers<br/>across the 3 Lots was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st<br/>April 2026.<br/>Please note that multiple contract<br/>modification notices are being<br/>published; one for each provider, due to<br/>system issues., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to<br/>allow the service to continue while<br/>allowing sufficient time to identify and<br/>complete the most appropriate<br/>procurement route in accordance with<br/>The Healthcare Services (Provider<br/>Selection Regime) Regulations<br/>2023(PSR).
  • Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,042,731
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to<br/>allow the service to continue while<br/>allowing sufficient time to identify and<br/>complete the most appropriate<br/>procurement route in accordance with<br/>The Healthcare Services (Provider<br/>Selection Regime) Regulations<br/>2023(PSR).<br/>The modifications will extend the<br/>existing contract for an additional 8<br/>months and the value of all<br/>modifications for all 6 providers across<br/>the 3 Lots is £2,189,588. The initial<br/>contract award value for all 6 providers<br/>across the 3 Lots was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st<br/>April 2026.<br/>Please note that multiple contract<br/>modification notices are being<br/>published; one for each provider, due to<br/>system issues., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to<br/>allow the service to continue while<br/>allowing sufficient time to identify and<br/>complete the most appropriate<br/>procurement route in accordance with<br/>The Healthcare Services (Provider<br/>Selection Regime) Regulations<br/>2023(PSR).
  • Contract 063895-2026-1-1

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,042,731
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to<br/>allow the service to continue while<br/>allowing sufficient time to identify and<br/>complete the most appropriate<br/>procurement route in accordance with<br/>The Healthcare Services (Provider<br/>Selection Regime) Regulations<br/>2023(PSR).<br/>The modifications will extend the<br/>existing contract for an additional 8<br/>months and the value of all<br/>modifications for all 6 providers across<br/>the 3 Lots is £2,189,588. The initial<br/>contract award value for all 6 providers<br/>across the 3 Lots was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st<br/>April 2026.<br/>Please note that multiple contract<br/>modification notices are being<br/>published; one for each provider, due to<br/>system issues., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to<br/>allow the service to continue while<br/>allowing sufficient time to identify and<br/>complete the most appropriate<br/>procurement route in accordance with<br/>The Healthcare Services (Provider<br/>Selection Regime) Regulations<br/>2023(PSR).
  • Contract 063897-2026-1-1

    Signed
    1 Apr 2026
    Value
    £12,042,731
    Period
    1 Apr 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
    Status
    active
    • Change The contract modification is required to<br/>allow the service to continue while<br/>allowing sufficient time to identify and<br/>complete the most appropriate<br/>procurement route in accordance with<br/>The Healthcare Services (Provider<br/>Selection Regime) Regulations<br/>2023(PSR).<br/>The modifications will extend the<br/>existing contract for an additional 8<br/>months and the value of all<br/>modifications for all 6 providers across<br/>the 3 Lots is £2,189,588. The initial<br/>contract award value for all 6 providers<br/>across the 3 Lots was £9,853,146.<br/>The modification effective date is 1st<br/>April 2026.<br/>Please note that multiple contract<br/>modification notices are being<br/>published; one for each provider, due to<br/>system issues., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The contract modification is required to<br/>allow the service to continue while<br/>allowing sufficient time to identify and<br/>complete the most appropriate<br/>procurement route in accordance with<br/>The Healthcare Services (Provider<br/>Selection Regime) Regulations<br/>2023(PSR).
  • Lot 1 - North comprising the NHS England Regions: the North East and Yorkshire; the North West, · Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

    Signed
    10 Mar 2023
    Value
    £2,797,834
    Status
    active
  • Lot 2 - the Midlands comprising the NHS England Regions: the Midlands; the East of England · Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

    Signed
    10 Mar 2023
    Value
    £1,480,332
    Status
    active
  • Lot 3 - London and the South: comprising the South East; the South West; London · Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

    Signed
    10 Mar 2023
    Value
    £5,574,979
    Status
    active

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · North comprising the NHS England Regions: the North East and Yorkshire; the North West,1bids———
2 · the Midlands comprising the NHS England Regions: the Midlands; the East of England2bids———
3 · London and the South: comprising the South East; the South West; London4bids———

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

2 public bodies on the notice

NHS England

Contracting authorityCentral Government Wellington House, 133-135 Waterloo Rd, London, London, SE1 8UGContact name, email

Consortium members and other public bodies

Dispute resolution & review bodies

Bidders & participating suppliers

13 commercial parties on the notice
Show 3 more suppliers

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.