NHS SBS Consultancy & Advisory Services Framework (£500m) – Supplier Engagement Guide

NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has published a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) notice for a proposed Consultancy and Advisory Services Framework Agreement, with an estimated total value of £500m (ex VAT).

If you deliver consultancy or advisory support to the NHS or wider public sector, this is the sort of early signal that’s worth acting on, even though the framework start date is estimated much later. It’s a chance to influence how the framework is shaped and to position your offer before the tender documentation lands.

Key facts at a glance

• Notice type: Preliminary market engagement notice (Procurement Act 2023)

• Authority: NHS Shared Business Services Limited

• Estimated value: £500,000,000 (ex VAT)

• Estimated contract term: 24 Feb 2028 to 23 Feb 2032 (4 years)

• Engagement deadline: 18 March 2026

• Route to engage: complete the PME questionnaire via SAP Ariba

What’s likely to be in scope

In their notice, NHS SBS describes a broad consultancy and advisory scope covering strategic and operational support across NHS and wider public sector organisations. The notice references areas such as:

• strategy and organisational development

• digital transformation and IT consulting

• financial, procurement and commercial advisory

• workforce planning and change management

• sustainability, governance, risk and net zero/carbon reduction

In other words: this looks designed to bring a wide range of consultancy disciplines under one compliant route to market.

Why this matters even at “pre-tender” stage

PME notices are not just “heads up” posts. They’re a structured opportunity for buyers to test the market, validate assumptions and refine the model (lots, evaluation approach, onboarding requirements, pricing structures and call-off mechanisms).

For suppliers, a good PME response can help you:

1. reduce future friction (for example, by highlighting barriers that would unintentionally exclude capable SMEs)

2. shape how lots are defined (and how specialist provision is handled)

3. set expectations about what good delivery looks like in NHS contexts

4. get ahead of competitor positioning by showing clarity on outcomes, assurance and governance

NHS SBS also flags that sustainability and social value will carry significant weighting. That’s a strong hint that “generic CSR statements” won’t cut it when the tender arrives.

Practical steps suppliers should take now

1) Treat the PME questionnaire like the start of the bid

The notice asks suppliers to read the PME intro document and submit the questionnaire on SAP Ariba by 12 noon (GMT), 18 March 2026. Don’t dash off vague responses. Use it to present:

• the outcomes you deliver (not just activities)

• delivery models that work for NHS settings (mobilisation, governance, IG, clinical safety where relevant)

• how you evidence benefits realisation and stakeholder adoption

• what makes procurement smoother (clear rate cards, scalable teams, transparent assumptions)

2) Get your SAP Ariba and DUNS details in order

NHS SBS states it will use SAP Ariba for subsequent activity and notes you’ll need a valid DUNS number to register.

They also describe a workaround requiring suppliers creating new accounts to select a specific data centre option (“USA: Quincy, WA”).

This is the sort of admin issue that can derail last-minute engagement, so it’s worth checking early.

3) Start building a credible NHS social value narrative

Where tenders talk about “significant weighting” for sustainability and social value, evaluators will typically look for:

• measurable commitments tied to delivery (not just corporate pledges)

• local economic value, skills and training, inclusive recruitment

• carbon measurement approach and reductions linked to how you deliver work

• supply chain management and ethical procurement

If you don’t already report social value in a structured way, use the PME window to identify what you can evidence, what you can commit to, and what needs building before the ITT.

4) Prepare proof points for “transformation” claims

This framework is positioned around transformation, efficiency and sustainable results. If your offer includes transformation, arrive ready with:

• case studies with quantified outcomes

• references that are comparable (ideally public sector, NHS, or regulated environments)

• a repeatable methodology (discovery to implementation, benefits tracking, handover)

Where bid support can help

If you want to maximise your chances when this turns into a live tender, you typically need two things: early positioning and a clean compliance story.

Thornton & Lowe is experienced in helping businesses to win NHS tenders. We can help suppliers use PME activity to sharpen their win themes, strengthen social value and sustainability evidence, and make sure your eventual tender response is structured around what NHS evaluators are actually scoring.