NHS SBS Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (SBS10539) Pre-Market Opportunity

NHS Shared Business Services Limited has published a pre-market engagement notice for its proposed Orthotic and Prosthetic Services framework (SBS10539). With an indicative value of £160 million excluding VAT over four years, the future framework is intended to support timely access to high-quality orthotic and prosthetic services for patients with complex needs, helping improve mobility, function, independence and quality of life.

If you are considering whether this future framework could be a good fit, contact Thornton & Lowe today for an expert, no-obligation review. We can help you assess the opportunity early, identify the most relevant lot strategy, and prepare for the eventual tender process.

What This Notice Means for Suppliers

At this stage, NHS SBS is signalling its intention to engage the market before publishing a future contract notice. The potential lotting structure currently includes Lot 1 for Orthotic Services and Lot 2 for Prosthetic Services, but the lots will be further defined through pre-market engagement. The resulting framework is intended for use by NHS SBS Approved Organisations, including NHS and social care bodies, integrated care boards, local authorities, NHS trusts and other authorised organisations.

An overall value of £160 million over a four-year period reflects the significance of these specialist services within NHS settings. For providers in the healthcare and social care sector, this is a rare opportunity to secure high-value, multi-year contracts that span a critical clinical support area. The priority at this stage is less about bidding immediately and more about positioning your organisation well for the future tender.

Proposed Lot Structure and Framework Scope

The Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (SBS10539) framework is currently at pre-market engagement stage, with the contract notice estimated for 21 January 2027. NHS SBS is inviting suppliers to participate now through its Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire on SAP Ariba, and it also intends to hold market engagement sessions with suppliers and industry experts ahead of tender release.

Suppliers should still start thinking now about whether their strongest fit is likely to be orthotic services, prosthetic services or both. The proposed two-lot structure gives a useful early indication of how NHS SBS may organise the future framework, but the notice makes clear that lot definitions may evolve as a result of market engagement.

What Providers Should Do Now

• Engage now through the PMEQ: NHS SBS is actively using pre-market engagement to shape the future framework, so this is the right stage to influence and understand the likely direction of travel.
• Decide where your strongest fit sits: Start mapping your organisation’s evidence against orthotic services, prosthetic services or both, while staying alert to possible changes in the final lot definitions.
• Prepare for PSR rather than Procurement Act rules: The notice is being run under the Provider Selection Regime Regulations 2023, so suppliers should be careful not to assume a standard Procurement Act framework process.
• Strengthen your social value and sustainability position: NHS SBS explicitly says there will be meaningful weighting on sustainability and social value in the future tender.
• Check your system readiness: Registration for SAP Ariba requires a valid DUNS number, so make sure your organisation is ready well before the formal tender is launched.

This is an important early-stage opportunity for orthotic and prosthetic providers that want to position themselves well ahead of a future NHS SBS framework. The immediate priority is not final tender submission, but early engagement, internal preparation and a clear view of where your service strengths are likely to align once the contract notice is published. Review the official notice for additional details as they become available.

Ready to succeed on Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (SBS10539)? For tailored, in-depth bid support from specialists in NHS and public sector frameworks, contact Thornton & Lowe today to discuss your strategy and put your organisation in the strongest possible position ahead of tender release.