Pharmacy Service for Inpatient Medicines Supply for SPFT

Relevant authorities are able to follow three different provider selection processes to directly award contracts for relevant healthcare services under the PSR, or use a most suitable provider (MSP), or retain full procurement (5 options in total). MSP process is the most suitable route to market, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust or the Trust (relevant authority) has identified potential suitable providers and can award the contract without running a competitive process, the Risk Assessment has undertaken sufficient assessments and market information to identify which providers are the most suitable. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust published this Intended Approach Notice for transparency reasons which will remain open for a minimum of 14 days. During this period, interested parties are able to access information and make use of open Q&A facility within the Atamis Supplier Portal. The service specification is attached with this notice. Interested Tenderer will require obtaining a document pack, that contains the detailed evaluation criteria and submission process, by sending an email to – Lorne Fricker Associate Procurement Director, NHS Commercial Solutions Email: lorne.fricker@nhs.net No separate webinar or physical event will be held; all interaction will occur through the portal Q&A function. The project timeline is provided below: 24/12/2025 - Publish Intended Approach Notice – Allow at least 14 days 08/01/2026 – Deadline for submission of an expression of Interest and responses to the Service Capability Assessment. 24/12/2025 – 08/01/2026 – Service Capability assessment period. Assess the potential providers, considering the selection criteria and choose the most suitable provider 30/01/2026 - Recommendation report and approval 04/02/2026 - Publication of the intention to award a contract notice – Commencing 8 days standstill (from the day after the notice is published) 12/02/2026 - Award contract Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust publishes this notice to ensure Suppliers Market Engagement, transparency in the process in selecting one/more than one Most Suitable Provider (MSP) and support decision-making under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). Please Note: This engagement does not constitute a call for competition or a tender process. Any future decision will follow PSR criteria (continuity, integration, quality, value, and provider capability). Participation does not confer any advantage in subsequent decisions. Key Decision Makers: Chief Pharmacist, Contract Owner Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Contract Manager Deputy Director – Contracts, Contract Support Lorne Fricker Associate Procurement Director - NHSCS Procurement Support