Official UK procurement notice
Multiple Sclerosis Management Service for Children - Contract Modification
Authority: NHS England (Central government)·Consortium: 2 public authorities
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNHS 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 lotLot #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)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-038737Find 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- Next notice expected12 Jan 2023
- Notice published106 days ago8 Jul 2026, 08:30 BST
Notice history
3 events · 12 releases on Find a Tender · since 16 Oct 2023- Status changed to complete16 Oct 2023, 14:06 BST
- Procurement method changed16 Oct 2023, 14:06 BST
- Buyer details updated14 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 forecast3 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
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid 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 England | 2bids | — | — | — |
| 3 · London and the South: comprising the South East; the South West; London | 4bids | — | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- NHS England - Specialised CommissioningContracting authorityBody governed by public lawHealth
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Arden & GEM Commissioning Support UnitMediation bodyReview bodyReview contact point
- NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support UnitReview body
Bidders & participating suppliers
13 commercial parties on the notice- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation TrustAwarded supplier
- Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust Awarded supplier
- CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTAwarded supplier
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustAwarded supplier
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustAwarded supplier
- GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTAwarded supplier
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust Awarded supplier
- Guys and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation TrustAwarded supplier
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation TrustAwarded supplier
- Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustAwarded supplier
Show 3 more suppliers
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Awarded supplier
- OXFORD UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTAwarded supplier
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Awarded supplier
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.