1. Tendering with the NHS in Nottinghamshire
Dave Heason
Senior Procurement Manager

2. Agenda AGEM – Who we are Outside of AGEM Tips for Dealing with the NHS
Responding to Tenders
Questions

3. Who Are Arden & GEM?

4. Arden & GEM – Supporting Nottinghamshire
As a Commissioning Support Unit (CSU) we:
Deliver Strategic Souring – a process that helps commissioners to define need through to contract management and performance monitoring
Provide advice and apply best practice to procurement activities
Act as a critical friend and challenge commissioners in their thinking, to ensure the best outcomes will be achieved from the procurement process and resultant contracts
Provide management of the procurement process on behalf of commissioners, using electronic tools (e-Tender) to support the process
Ensure the process is fair, transparent and auditable
Provide an audit trail and compliant procurement process, minimising risk of challenge
Manage the dialogue with potential providers

5. NHS Commissioners in Nottinghamshire
A Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is the body responsible for buying the majority of healthcare services in a region. Within Nottinghamshire AGEM supports:
Nottingham City CCG
Nottingham North East CCG
Nottingham West CCG
Rushcliffe CCG
Mansfield and Ashfield CCG
Newark & Sherwood CCG
Bassetlaw CCG (not supported by AGEM)
In addition to these CCGs there are a number of hospitals and other care providers not supported by AGEM.

6. CCGs Commissioning Obligations
Use of the current NHS Standard Contract for all clinical services procured
Use of the appropriate procurement route
Legal requirements – Public Contract Regulations 2015
NHS (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No.2) Regulations 2013 (PPCCR). Made under Section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012
To utilise appropriate procurement processes that are;
Proportionate
Fair
Non-Discriminatory
Transparent

7. Outside Arden & GEM

8. The Wider NHS
The NHS is huge and not joined up. You should always consider the other organisations within the region you may wish to deal with:
Nottingham University Hospitals (acute)
Sherwood Forest Hospitals (acute)
Bassetlaw Hospital (acute)
Nottinghamshire Healthcare (mental health)
East Midlands Ambulance Service
GP Surgeries

9. Dealing with the wider NHS
Check Contracts Finder
Check OJEU
Make contact and find out if the service or product you provide is covered by:
Preferred supplier lists
Dynamic Purchasing Systems
Any Qualified Provider contracts
Find out when the contract you are
interested in is up for renewal

10. Tips for Dealing with the NHS

11. Challenges of Dealing with the NHS
The NHS is not a joined up entity
There is a substantial funding gap
Organisations have limited time to validate savings claims for new products/services and focus out of necessity on high value areas
There are a lot of suppliers looking to work with the NHS so noise in the system is huge
Some areas are out of scope at PFI trusts or where property is rented

12. Working within NHS Constraints
Check the portals for tenders that interest you
The NHS will expect you to proactively be looking out for opportunities and you should never rely on being told about opportunities
Work with other organisations where there is an opportunity to do so and allow your company to offer a wider solution
Use events like these to network
Use Bidder Engagement events to share your details and find out who else may work with you
Start your preparation now
Work hard on your tenders and if in doubt, ask!
Persevere

13. Responding to Tenders

14. When Responding
Read the question and answer the question that is asked and every element of that question
Read all the documentation
If you are ever unclear ask the buyer to clarify
Put time aside to do a good job, responses take time to do well and a rush job will rarely be successful

15. Contact Details Dave Heason - Senior Procurement Manager
Sarah Trupp – Procurement Specialist