Tendering with the NHS in Nottinghamshire Dave Heason

Tendering with the NHS in Nottinghamshire Dave Heason Senior Procurement Manager

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

Who Are Arden & GEM?

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

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 a number of hospitals and other care providers not supported by AGEM.

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; ü Proportionate ü Fair ü Non-Discriminatory ü Transparent

Outside Arden & GEM

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

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

Tips for Dealing with the NHS

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 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

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

Responding to Tenders

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

Contact Details Dave Heason - Senior Procurement Manager David. heason@ardengemcsu. nhs. uk Sarah Trupp – Procurement Specialist Sarah. trupp@ardengemcsu. nhs. uk

Thank you for listening. Any questions?