NHS Supply Chain has launched the tender for its Diagnostic and Capital Equipment and Related Accessories and Services framework, creating a major opportunity for businesses supplying medical devices, diagnostic imaging systems, surgical technology and associated services.
The initial three-year framework has an estimated value of £4.33 billion excluding VAT, with an anticipated total value of approximately £12.77 billion excluding VAT across the wider eight-year open framework scheme. The tender was published on 28 September 2026, and suppliers have until 30 November 2026 at 3pm to submit their responses.
With seven lots covering an extensive range of medical technologies, the framework is likely to attract interest from manufacturers, distributors and specialist healthcare equipment suppliers. Businesses considering an application should now be reviewing the formal procurement documentation and preparing their responses.
NHS Diagnostic and Capital Equipment framework: key facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Framework | Diagnostic and Capital Equipment and Related Accessories and Services |
| Contracting authority | NHS Supply Chain / Supply Chain Coordination Limited |
| Procurement reference | Project_1658 |
| Notice | 2026/S 000-091367 |
| First framework value | £4,325,783,082 excluding VAT |
| Eight-year estimated value | £12,768,690,438 excluding VAT |
| Initial framework period | 3 April 2028 to 2 April 2031 |
| Framework structure | Eight-year open framework scheme, with an initial three-year framework |
| Number of lots | Seven |
| Enquiry deadline | 16 November 2026, 3pm |
| Tender deadline | 30 November 2026, 3pm |
The procurement is being conducted under the Procurement Act 2023 and is intended to establish the first framework within an eight-year open framework scheme.
An open framework provides for a series of frameworks with substantially the same terms. This creates opportunities for additional suppliers to compete for places when subsequent frameworks are awarded, although businesses interested in the initial agreement should focus on the current tender timetable.
Suppliers can review the Find a Tender notice and access the competition through the NHS Supply Chain eTendering portal.
What does the framework cover?
The framework is organised into seven lots, each covering particular medical technologies, associated equipment and services.
Lot 1: Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology
Estimated value: £1.20 billion excluding VAT
Lot 1 covers major diagnostic imaging technologies, including:
- Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners
- Mobile and static X-ray equipment
- Angiography and fluoroscopy systems
- Nuclear medicine imaging
- General and specialist ultrasound equipment
Related accessories, installation, maintenance and support services are included within the relevant categories.
For manufacturers and distributors, the size and technical complexity of this lot mean that product performance is only one aspect of a competitive submission. Warranty arrangements, maintenance, training and supply chain capability will also be important.
Lot 2: Specialist Imaging Equipment
Estimated value: £134.4 million excluding VAT
This lot covers specialist diagnostic imaging technologies, including digital mammography, breast density assessment solutions, mobile image intensifiers, lithotripsy equipment, bone densitometers and specimen imaging. Suppliers should review the detailed product specifications and consider how they will demonstrate technical compatibility, clinical suitability, maintenance arrangements and end-user training.
Lot 3: Decontamination Capital Equipment
Estimated value: £66.9 million excluding VAT
Lot 3 covers equipment and services associated with decontamination and infection prevention. Its subcategories include endoscopy decontamination, centralised decontamination, water treatment systems and high-level disinfection of ultrasound probes and other non-lumened devices. Businesses bidding for this lot should be prepared to evidence equipment reliability, compliance, servicing arrangements and their ability to support safe clinical operations.
Lot 4: Radiotherapy
Estimated value: £566 million excluding VAT
Lot 4 covers radiotherapy treatment systems, associated IT solutions and ancillary devices. The evaluation criteria place particular emphasis on patient and staff experience, alongside technical support, warranties and training. Suppliers should therefore ensure that their responses explain how their proposed solutions support clinical teams and patients, rather than focusing exclusively on equipment specifications.
Lot 5: Endoscopic Imaging Equipment, Reusable Endoscopes and Robotics
Estimated value: £1.02 billion excluding VAT
This lot includes endoscopic imaging systems, surgical and specialist robotics, camera stacks and a range of reusable scopes. Subcategories cover arthroscopy, laparoscopy, respiratory and thoracic procedures, gastrointestinal endoscopy, ENT and urology.
The evaluation incorporates value-based healthcare considerations, including efficiency and the experience of patients and staff. This makes it particularly important for suppliers to connect product capabilities to practical clinical and operational benefits, using appropriate evidence.
Lot 6: Internal Radiation Therapies
Estimated value: £23.9 million excluding VAT
Lot 6 covers brachytherapy seeds and selective internal radiation therapy products, together with related accessories. Although smaller in estimated value than the other lots, it represents a specialist market in which technical competence and relevant product capability will be essential. The published evaluation criteria allocate significant weight to supply, support and training, alongside price and social value.
Lot 7: Capital Medical Devices
Estimated value: £1.31 billion excluding VAT
Lot 7 is particularly broad, covering a range of medical devices and associated equipment, including:
- Patient transfer equipment and operating tables
- Integrated theatre solutions and architectural surgical medical systems
- Electrosurgical equipment and medical lasers
- Anaesthesia machines and ventilators
- Neonatal equipment and phototherapy devices
- Clinical and pathology microscopes
- Patient monitoring and alarm systems
- Surgical navigation systems and bladder scanners
The range of products means that prospective bidders should carefully identify the subcategories matching their offering and review the corresponding tender documents. Suppliers bidding for architectural surgical medical systems and integrated theatre solutions should pay particular attention to the separate ITT provided for this category.
How will the NHS framework be evaluated?
The evaluation model varies by lot. Price accounts for either 30% or 40% of the overall score, with the remaining weighting allocated to quality-related criteria.
| Lot | Price weighting | Other key considerations |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology | 40% | Warranty and repairs, supply chain, training, social value and support |
| 2. Specialist Imaging Equipment | 40% | Training, warranty and repairs, supply, social value and support |
| 3. Decontamination Capital Equipment | 40% | Supply, warranty, supply chain, social value, training and support |
| 4. Radiotherapy | 30% | Patient and staff experience, support, warranty, training, social value and supply |
| 5. Endoscopic Imaging, Endoscopes and Robotics | 30% | Efficiency, patient and staff considerations, supply, support, warranty, social value and training |
| 6. Internal Radiation Therapies | 30% | Supply, support, training and social value |
| 7. Capital Medical Devices | 40% | Supply, warranty, social value, training, supply chain and support |
Social value carries 10% across all seven lots.
The evaluation structure highlights the importance of considering the full product and service lifecycle, from supply and installation to warranties, ongoing support and user training. For example, warranty and repairs account for 21% of the evaluation for Lot 1, while training accounts for 20% under Lot 2. Lot 6 places 20% weight on each of supply, support and training.
These differences should influence how suppliers allocate time and evidence when preparing responses. Rather than applying the same bid narrative to every lot, businesses should develop responses around the published criteria for their selected categories.
What are the supplier requirements?
The tender notice sets out technical conditions of participation applicable across the seven lots. Tenderers must hold an appropriate quality management certification covering relevant parts of their operations and product supply chain. The notice identifies:
- ISO 9001:2015
- ISO 13485:2016
- Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) certification
The notice also refers to UKAS accreditation or an accepted international equivalent, with coverage extending to relevant activities such as manufacturing, sales, storage and distribution. Businesses should examine the precise certification wording and supporting requirements within the procurement documents before submitting a tender.
Other considerations from the earlier market engagement stage included medical device compliance, sustainability, modern slavery, carbon reduction and information security. While these remain sensible preparation areas for medical equipment suppliers, bidders should not assume that every earlier requirement or threshold has been carried into the final competition unchanged. The formal tender documents should be treated as the definitive source for mandatory requirements.
Thornton & Lowe can help suppliers review the applicable conditions of participation and identify gaps in their evidence before developing their responses.
How to submit a tender through NHS Supply Chain
The competition is being administered through the NHS Supply Chain Jaggaer eTendering portal. Suppliers should register or sign in to the portal and access the relevant competitions under ITTs Open to All Suppliers. The tender notice identifies a central ITT alongside separate ITTs for the individual lots.
| ITT reference | Competition |
|---|---|
| ITT_2351 | Diagnostic and Capital Equipment and Related Accessories and Services: central ITT |
| ITT_2352 | Lot 1: Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology |
| ITT_2353 | Lot 2: Specialist Imaging Equipment |
| ITT_2354 | Lot 3: Decontamination Capital Equipment |
| ITT_2355 | Lot 4: Radiotherapy |
| ITT_2356 | Lot 5: Endoscopic Imaging Equipment, Reusable Endoscopes and Robotics |
| ITT_2357 | Lot 6: Internal Radiation Therapies |
| ITT_2358 | Lot 7: Capital Medical Devices, excluding ASMS |
| ITT_2359 | Lot 7c: Architectural Surgical Medical Systems and Integrated Theatre Solutions |
Suppliers must respond to the central ITT_2351 in addition to the relevant lot ITTs. Once suppliers have located their competitions, they should express interest, indicate their intention to respond and download the complete tender documentation. The NHS Supply Chain portal also provides supplier guidance and technical assistance.
The enquiry deadline is 16 November 2026 at 3pm, followed by the tender submission deadline of 30 November 2026 at 3pm. Given the breadth of the framework and the potentially extensive supporting documentation, prospective bidders should allow sufficient time for internal reviews, manufacturer input and final submission checks.
How to prepare a competitive NHS equipment tender
Align evidence with the chosen lot
The first step is to understand exactly what the relevant evaluation criteria assess. A response for diagnostic imaging equipment may need a different emphasis from a submission covering radiotherapy or internal radiation therapies. Use the weighting structure to guide preparation, while ensuring that every required question receives a complete and compliant response.
Demonstrate product and supply chain reliability
NHS Supply Chain buyers need confidence that equipment can be supplied, installed and supported throughout its working life. Suppliers should be ready to explain their manufacturing or distribution arrangements, logistics, supply continuity and contingency measures. Where a bidder relies on manufacturers, subcontractors or specialist partners, responsibilities should be clearly defined and supported by appropriate evidence.
Strengthen warranty, maintenance and support responses
Warranty and repair arrangements account for a substantial proportion of the evaluation in several lots. A competitive response should explain the proposed service model, maintenance arrangements, escalation procedures and how equipment issues will be resolved. Where applicable, provide evidence of previous performance, service capacity and arrangements for maintaining equipment availability.
Explain the approach to training
Training is a separately scored criterion across the framework. Suppliers should consider how clinical and technical staff will be trained to use equipment safely and effectively, including implementation support, refresher training and access to ongoing guidance. Training proposals should be appropriate to the complexity of the equipment and the requirements of the relevant lot.
Present measurable social value
Social value represents 10% of the available marks across all seven lots. Responses should connect proposed commitments to the procurement requirements and explain how they will be delivered, monitored and evidenced. Avoid generic commitments that are not supported by a credible implementation plan.
Demonstrate patient and operational benefits where required
Lots 4 and 5 include evaluation criteria explicitly addressing patient and staff experience or operational efficiency. Suppliers bidding for these categories should explain how their technologies contribute to the specified outcomes, supported by appropriate technical, clinical or operational evidence. Claims should be proportionate and consistent with the evidence available.
How Thornton & Lowe can support your NHS framework bid
Preparing a tender for a complex national medical equipment framework can involve coordinating technical product information, quality management evidence, commercial responses and contributions from several teams or partner organisations.
Thornton & Lowe supports healthcare suppliers with bid writing and tender management, helping businesses respond to detailed procurement requirements and present their capabilities effectively. Our support can include reviewing participation requirements, developing response strategies, coordinating supporting evidence, drafting quality submissions and reviewing answers against the evaluation criteria. We also provide guidance on areas such as sustainability and supplier readiness, including the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment.
If you're considering bidding for the Diagnostic and Capital Equipment framework, contact Thornton & Lowe to discuss your requirements before the November submission deadline.
