Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Smoking Cessation Medication Postal Supply within Suffolk

{
  "id": "070447-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-07-24T16:01:14+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06d39c",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PHVH-1657-HHMV",
    "name": "Suffolk County Council"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "ITS393",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2029-01-31T23:59:59Z",
          "startDate": "2027-02-01T00:00:00Z",
          "maxExtentDate": "2031-01-31T23:59:59Z"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKH14",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "33600000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Pharmaceutical products"
          },
          {
            "id": "64110000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Postal services"
          },
          {
            "id": "85100000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Health services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Smoking Cessation Medication Postal Supply within Suffolk",
    "value": {
      "amount": 400000,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 480000
    },
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "Suffolk County Council (Public Health, Communities and Public Safety) is undertaking a soft market testing questionnaire to inform a potential future procurement for the postal supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and smoking cessation prescription medication.\nSmoking prevalence in Suffolk is currently estimated at 10.5%. The Council's ambition is to reduce this to 5% or below by 2030. NRT and prescribed smoking cessation medications are recognised as effective interventions to support people to quit smoking and remain an important element of the local stop smoking offer. The Council currently provides access to these products through a pharmacy-based pathway. However, not all clients are able to access participating pharmacies due to factors such as working hours, limited transport options or mobility issues. The Council is therefore exploring alternative delivery models to improve accessibility.\nThe Council is considering a procurement comprising two lots. Suppliers may bid for either lot individually or for both lots.\nLot 1 - Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)\nSupply a range of NRT products following referral from the Council's commissioned stop smoking service (FGS) and deliver products directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service.\nLot 2 - Smoking cessation prescription medication\nUndertake remote clinical consultations with clients referred by the stop smoking service to assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine and, where clinically appropriate, supply medication directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service.\nThis exercise is exploratory and non-evaluative. It is intended to inform the Council's understanding of market capability, potential delivery models, implementation timescales and indicative costs. The anticipated contract value is approximately £400,000 (approximately £100,000 per annum) for an initial two-year contract with the option to extend for up to a further two years.\nThis notice does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment to procure.",
    "communication": {
      "futureNoticeDate": "2026-09-18T23:59:59+01:00"
    },
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "goods"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PHVH-1657-HHMV",
      "name": "Suffolk County Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKH14",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Ipswich",
        "postalCode": "IP1 2BX",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "http://www.suffolk.gov.uk",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PHVH-1657-HHMV",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Deborah Cash",
        "email": "admin.publichealthsuffolk@suffolk.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "070447-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070447-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-07-24T16:01:14+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-08-07T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "Suppliers are invited to participate in a soft market testing exercise by completing a structured questionnaire available via the following link:\nhttps://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dXKKNdxuv2\nDeadline for responses: 07/08/2026\nThis soft market testing exercise aims to: \n• understand current market capability and capacity \n• explore potential delivery models for one or both lots \n• identify innovation and opportunities to improve accessibility for service users \n• understand indicative implementation timescales and costs.\nThe Council may undertake further market engagement activities, which could include supplier clarification discussions and/or wider engagement sessions.\nParticipation is voluntary and will not influence any future procurement process."
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}