NHS Supply Chain has published a preliminary market engagement (PME) notice for a major upcoming national framework covering diagnostic and capital medical equipment, plus related accessories and services. If you supply medical devices, imaging systems, endoscopy equipment, operating theatre technology, decontamination systems or associated maintenance and support, this is a strong early indicator of a sizeable route to market that will be competed under the Procurement Act 2023.
A PME is not the tender itself, but it matters. It is where NHS Supply Chain tests assumptions, gathers supplier input and shapes its approach before the formal procurement launches. For suppliers, it is the best window to get your bid fundamentals in place while there is still time to strengthen evidence, align partners and resolve qualification gaps.
What the framework is likely to cover
The scope described is extensive and spans many capital equipment categories, including (among others):
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patient monitoring, anaesthesia and ventilator equipment
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neonatal equipment and phototherapy devices
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electrosurgical equipment, medical lasers, surgical robotics and navigation systems
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endoscopy scopes and camera stacks, plus decontamination equipment and water treatment
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imaging and radiology equipment such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, X-ray systems, mammography and DEXA
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angiography systems and managed services, plus mobile/relocatable cath labs
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radiotherapy treatment systems and IT, plus ancillary devices
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clinical and pathology microscopes, contrast injectors, lithotripsy and radiation protection products
In other words, this isn’t a narrow product list. It is a wide-ranging capital equipment marketplace, and bidders should expect the eventual tender to reward suppliers who can demonstrate not only compliant products, but also robust delivery capability across installation, servicing, training, logistics and lifecycle support.
Key facts and indicative dates
The Find a Tender notice states the procurement will establish a framework and gives the following estimates:
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Estimated total value: £10,807,213,834.82 (ex VAT)
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Estimated contract dates: 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2031, with a possible extension to 31 March 2034
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Estimated tender publication date: 11 September 2026
Those dates may move, but they are far enough out to make early preparation worthwhile, especially if you will need to coordinate multiple product lines, multiple manufacturers, or service delivery partners.
How the engagement works (and why it’s useful)
NHS Supply Chain says it intends to consult the market via a request for information and feedback on draft specification and/or product lists. Expression of interest is routed through the NHS Supply Chain Jaggaer portal, under “SQs Open to All Suppliers” and the PME listing “SQ_651 - PME Diagnostic and Capital Equipment”.
Even if you do not plan to contribute to the RFI, reviewing the engagement materials can help you anticipate:
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likely lotting and category groupings
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potential mandatory requirements
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how servicing, warranties and managed service models might be evaluated
Supplier requirements to get ready early
The notice helpfully flags several requirements that can trip suppliers up if left until late:
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ISO certification: ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 13485:2016 (or MDSAP accredited equivalents) across relevant parts of the supply chain
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CE certification and Declarations of Conformity where applicable, expected at submission stage
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Modern slavery statement for organisations with £36m+ turnover, published on your website
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Modern Slavery Assessment Tool (MSAT): score of 41%+ within 12 months before tender close
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Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment: achieve Level 1+ within 12 months before tender close
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Carbon Reduction Plan: published and compliant with the stated policy note requirements, or provided as a PDF if no website
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Cyber Security Essentials Plus: if you handle patient/personal data or provide IT systems/services/devices
The common theme is simple: don’t treat qualification as a box-ticking exercise. For capital equipment frameworks, these items often connect directly to scored answers on governance, risk management, data protection, and delivery assurance.
How Thornton & Lowe can support you
At PME stage, the goal is to turn your likely “to do list” into a practical plan that can be completed before the tender window opens. Thornton & Lowe can support with:
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Bid readiness and compliance mapping: identify which certifications, assessments and policies you need to evidence, and what must be refreshed to meet “within 12 months” conditions.
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Sustainability and Evergreen support: if Evergreen and carbon documentation need work, our guidance and support on the Evergreen Assessment can help you build a defensible position early.
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Tender response development: from win themes to method statements (implementation, maintenance, training, supply resilience and governance), our bid writing services team can help you shape and write a high-scoring submission once the ITT is live.
For suppliers who start now, the eventual tender becomes much more manageable. You will already have a clean evidence pack, consistent claims and a delivery model that reads as joined-up, rather than a collection of product sheets.
