Writing Tenders

Procuring services and writing specifications for tenders is becoming a fundamental element of healthcare management. NHS Elect has gained extensive experience of healthcare procurement through its work with commissioners and the Department of Health. 

This experience has supported members to design specifications and provided members with development programmes to improve their commercial skills. NHS Elect can offer practical support on:

• Policy background to inform tenders including choice and competition policy

• European and UK law regarding tenders

• Support in local market management and market testing

• Support in drafting tender documentation including clear specifications

• Working with clinical colleagues to develop the specification

• Benefits identification and risk analysis

• Developing evaluation criteria

• Setting performance indicators

Our learning and development work with members covers the lifecycle of the bid process alongside the key aspects of procurement, competition, consultation and employment law which need to be understood to avoid significant risks to the process. These include:

• An overview of procurement law and its interaction with the Procurement Guide for Commissioners of NHS Funded Services and laws covering employment and consultation
• Overview of competition law and the emerging role of Monitor in ensuring a mixed market for healthcare provision
• Procurement workshop on commissioning services from specification to contract management

 For more information please contact Paul Thomas at paul@nhselect.org.uk