✓Tender information last checkedLast checked 8 Oct 2026, 14:41.
Opportunity overview
Suffolk County Council (Public Health, Communities and Public Safety) are currently out to tender for the postal supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and smoking cessation prescription medication.
Smoking prevalence in Suffolk is currently estimated at 10.5%. The Council's ambition is to reduce this to 5% or below by 2030. NRT and prescribed smoking cessation medications are recognised as effective interventions to support people to quit smoking and remain an important element of the local stop smoking offer. The Council currently provides access to these products through a pharmacy-based pathway. However, not all clients are able to access participating pharmacies due to factors such as working hours, limited transport options or mobility issues. The Council is therefore exploring alternative delivery models to improve accessibility.
The procurement is split into two lots. Suppliers may bid for either lot individually or for both lots.
Lot 1 - Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
Supply a range of NRT products following referral from the Council's commissioned stop smoking service (FGS) and deliver products directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service.
Lot 2 - Smoking cessation prescription medication
Undertake remote clinical consultations with clients referred by the stop smoking service to assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine and, where clinically appropriate, supply medication directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service.
This opportunity is available in the 'Current Tenders' area of the portal. Interested parties are invited to express their interest to gain full access to the tender documentation.
The contract period is two years with an option to extend for up to a further two years.
The anticipated contract value (including the extension period) is approximately £400,000 (approximately £100,000 per annum) excluding VAT.
The deadline date for submissions of the tender is 3rd November 2026 at 11am. Please note late returns will NOT be permitted.
The deadline for clarification questions is 20th October 2026 which must be generated via the correspondence option on the website.
Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.
Interested Parties should refer to the Invitation to Tender and Contract Terms for the Known Risks.
Contract novation, transfer or disaggregation to one or more Successor Authorities or MCAA within the current geographical boundary of Suffolk.
Contract novation, transfer or disaggregation to one or more Successor Authorities or MCAA outside the current geographical boundary of Suffolk.
Other known risks
1) Devolution
There is a known unknown risk that the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) for Norfolk and Suffolk, with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor, may be implemented during the life of this contract ("Devolution").
As a result of Devolution, contract modifications may be necessary to novate, transfer or disaggregate the contract from the one you entered into to one with the Mayoral Combined County Authority.
Impacts could include changes to geographical boundaries, significant increases and/or decreases in the goods and/or services required due to the change in size/scope of any successor authority. This may also change the scope of the contract
Any changes to contract scope should be broadly similar to the current contract scope, but new services of a related nature may be required that were not previously included.
The Authority will work collaboratively with the successful provider(s) to manage any implications arising from Devolution, should it occur, to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of services.
2) Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Due to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) within Suffolk, there is a known unknown risk that structural changes to local government across Suffolk may be implemented during the lifetime of this contract.
As a result of LGR, contract modifications may be necessary to novate, transfer or disaggregate the contract from the one you entered into to one or more successor authorities.
Impacts could include changes to geographical boundaries, significant increases and/or decreases in the goods and/or services required due to the change in size/scope of any successor authority. This may also change the scope of the contract
Supply a range of NRT products following referral from the Council's commissioned stop smoking service (FGS) and deliver products directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Value
Including VAT
408,000
Amount
340,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
price
Name
Price
Description
See tender pack for further information.
Numbers
Entry 1
Number
40
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
quality
Name
Quality
Description
See tender pack for further information.
Numbers
Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Selection criteria
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Insurance
• already has, or can commit to obtain, the insurance requirements prior to the award of the contract.
UK General Data Protection Regulation Conditions
• You must not pose a Data Protection risk to the Council (that cannot be mitigated).
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Relevant experience and contract examples
• Please provide details of up to three contracts delivered during the last three years that demonstrate your technical ability to deliver the Lot or Lots for which you are bidding.
Experience of sub-contractor management (if applicable)
• Where you intend to sub-contract a proportion of the contract, please demonstrate how you have previously maintained healthy supply chains with your sub-contractor(s) (which may be the intended sub-contractor(s) for this procurement or any others used previously).
The description should include the procedures you use to ensure performance of the contract.
Organisational standards
• Where conditions of participation have specified organisational qualifications or standards, please provide details of how these are met, or other equivalent standards that equal or exceed what has been requested.
Procurement Specific Requirements:
• Please confirm that you hold, or will hold by the Service Commencement Date, all registrations, licences, approvals, consents, authorisations and accreditations required to lawfully deliver the services for the Lot(s) you are applying for and will maintain these throughout the Contract Period.
• Please confirm that all staff involved in smoking cessation support are appropriately qualified, trained and competent for their role, including NCSCT training or an equivalent recognised standard where relevant.
• Please confirm that, by the Service Commencement Date, you will have a lawful and appropriately governed model in place for the assessment and supply of Cytisinicline and Varenicline, supported by suitably qualified and authorised healthcare professionals.
• Please confirm that you have documented governance arrangements appropriate to the Lot(s) tendered for, including medicines management, safeguarding, complaints handling and the management of incidents and adverse events
• Please confirm that you comply with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and have appropriate information governance arrangements in place.
• Please confirm that you can provide a tracked and auditable delivery service for medicines supplied under this contract.
• Please confirm that you have a Business Continuity Plan in place covering service disruption, staffing shortages, IT/cyber incidents and medicine supply issues.
• Please confirm that you have the technical ability to comply with the safeguarding requirements, policies and procedures notified by Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership throughout the Contract Period.
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Feb 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Jan 2029, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Jan 2031, 23:59
Renewal
Description
Contract can be extended for up to a further two years.
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Smoking cessation prescription medication
Description
Undertake remote clinical consultations with clients referred by the stop smoking service to assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine and, where clinically appropriate, supply medication directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Value
Including VAT
72,000
Amount
60,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
price
Name
Price
Description
See tender pack for further information.
Numbers
Entry 1
Number
40
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
quality
Name
Quality
Description
See tender pack for further information.
Numbers
Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Selection criteria
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Insurance
• already has, or can commit to obtain, the insurance requirements prior to the award of the contract.
UK General Data Protection Regulation Conditions
• You must not pose a Data Protection risk to the Council (that cannot be mitigated).
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Relevant experience and contract examples
• Please provide details of up to three contracts delivered during the last three years that demonstrate your technical ability to deliver the Lot or Lots for which you are bidding.
Experience of sub-contractor management (if applicable)
• Where you intend to sub-contract a proportion of the contract, please demonstrate how you have previously maintained healthy supply chains with your sub-contractor(s) (which may be the intended sub-contractor(s) for this procurement or any others used previously).
The description should include the procedures you use to ensure performance of the contract.
Organisational standards
• Where conditions of participation have specified organisational qualifications or standards, please provide details of how these are met, or other equivalent standards that equal or exceed what has been requested.
Procurement Specific Requirements:
• Please confirm that you hold, or will hold by the Service Commencement Date, all registrations, licences, approvals, consents, authorisations and accreditations required to lawfully deliver the services for the Lot(s) you are applying for and will maintain these throughout the Contract Period.
• Please confirm that all staff involved in smoking cessation support are appropriately qualified, trained and competent for their role, including NCSCT training or an equivalent recognised standard where relevant.
• Please confirm that, by the Service Commencement Date, you will have a lawful and appropriately governed model in place for the assessment and supply of Cytisinicline and Varenicline, supported by suitably qualified and authorised healthcare professionals.
• Please confirm that you have documented governance arrangements appropriate to the Lot(s) tendered for, including medicines management, safeguarding, complaints handling and the management of incidents and adverse events
• Please confirm that you comply with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and have appropriate information governance arrangements in place.
• Please confirm that you can provide a tracked and auditable delivery service for medicines supplied under this contract.
• Please confirm that you have a Business Continuity Plan in place covering service disruption, staffing shortages, IT/cyber incidents and medicine supply issues.
• Please confirm that you have the technical ability to comply with the safeguarding requirements, policies and procedures notified by Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership throughout the Contract Period.
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Feb 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Jan 2029, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Jan 2031, 23:59
Renewal
Description
Contract can be extended for up to a further two years.
2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.
2 VERSIONS
1
070447-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
2
095191-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS
ProcuraAxis Analysis
Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.
ANALYSIS PREVIEW
Opportunity intelligence at a glance
Suffolk County Council is seeking suppliers for postal provision of smoking-cessation products. Lot 1 covers nicotine replacement therapy supplied after referral; Lot 2 covers remote clinical consultations, assessment for Varenicline or Cytisine, and supply where clinically appropriate. Bidders may tender for either or both lots.
Who this may suit
Suitable for pharmaceutical/NRT suppliers with secure direct-to-patient postal fulfilment capability, and for providers able to deliver remote clinical consultations and prescription-medication supply under Lot 2.
Key points identified
Lot 1 product supplySupply a range of nicotine replacement therapy products following referral from the Council's commissioned stop smoking service (FGS).Evidence: Lot 1 description: "Supply a range of NRT products following referral from the Council's commissioned stop smoking service (FGS)".
Lot 1 fulfilmentDeliver NRT products directly to clients through a reliable and secure postal service.Evidence: Lot 1 description: "deliver products directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service".
Lot 2 clinical serviceUndertake remote clinical consultations for clients referred by the stop smoking service, assessing suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine.Evidence: Lot 2 description: "Undertake remote clinical consultations with clients referred by the stop smoking service to assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine".
98% approved-analysis confidence6 supplier criteria identified3 risks or unknowns
ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.
Suffolk County Council is seeking suppliers for postal provision of smoking-cessation products. Lot 1 covers nicotine replacement therapy supplied after referral; Lot 2 covers remote clinical consultations, assessment for Varenicline or Cytisine, and supply where clinically appropriate. Bidders may tender for either or both lots.
Who this may suit
Suitable for pharmaceutical/NRT suppliers with secure direct-to-patient postal fulfilment capability, and for providers able to deliver remote clinical consultations and prescription-medication supply under Lot 2.
Key deliverables
Lot 1: supply a range of NRT products following referral and post them securely to clients.
Lot 2: remotely consult referred clients, assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine, and supply medication where clinically appropriate.
Use a reliable and secure postal delivery service.
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
6 criteria identified
Lot 1 product supply
99% confidence
Supply a range of nicotine replacement therapy products following referral from the Council's commissioned stop smoking service (FGS).
View supporting evidence
Lot 1 description: "Supply a range of NRT products following referral from the Council's commissioned stop smoking service (FGS)".
Lot 1 fulfilment
99% confidence
Deliver NRT products directly to clients through a reliable and secure postal service.
View supporting evidence
Lot 1 description: "deliver products directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service".
Lot 2 clinical service
99% confidence
Undertake remote clinical consultations for clients referred by the stop smoking service, assessing suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine.
View supporting evidence
Lot 2 description: "Undertake remote clinical consultations with clients referred by the stop smoking service to assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine".
Lot 2 medication fulfilment
99% confidence
Where clinically appropriate, supply smoking-cessation medication directly to clients through a reliable and secure postal service.
View supporting evidence
Lot 2 description: "where clinically appropriate, supply medication directly to clients using a reliable and secure postal service".
Lot bidding
99% confidence
Suppliers may bid for Lot 1, Lot 2, or both lots.
View supporting evidence
Opportunity description: "Suppliers may bid for either lot individually or for both lots."
Other supplier eligibility requirements
95% confidence
Unknown from the supplied notice; full tender documentation is accessed after expressing interest.
View supporting evidence
Opportunity description: "Interested parties are invited to express their interest to gain full access to the tender documentation."
COMMERCIAL AND DELIVERY
Contract intelligence
Commercial
Estimated total value
99% confidence
Approximately £400,000 excluding VAT, including extension options.
View supporting evidence
Opportunity description: "The anticipated contract value (including the extension period) is approximately £400,000 ... excluding VAT."
Estimated annual value
97% confidence
Approximately £100,000 per annum excluding VAT.
View supporting evidence
Opportunity description: "approximately £100,000 per annum" and "excluding VAT".
Lot 1 value
99% confidence
£340,000.
View supporting evidence
Lot 1 value amount is stated as 340000 GBP.
Lot 2 value
99% confidence
£60,000.
View supporting evidence
Lot 2 value amount is stated as 60000 GBP.
Contract term
99% confidence
Two years, with an option to extend by up to a further two years.
View supporting evidence
Opportunity description: "The contract period is two years with an option to extend for up to a further two years."
Delivery
Delivery area
96% confidence
Suffolk (UKH14).
View supporting evidence
The opportunity is titled "within Suffolk" and the supplied delivery location region is UKH14.
Delivery method
99% confidence
Direct-to-client postal supply using a reliable and secure postal service.
View supporting evidence
Both lot descriptions require direct delivery to clients using "a reliable and secure postal service".
PROCEDURE
How to respond
Procedure
99% confidence
Open procedure.
View supporting evidence
Process procurement_method_details is "Open procedure".
Opportunity status
99% confidence
Open tender.
View supporting evidence
Process display_status is "open" and stage is "tender".
Submission deadline
99% confidence
3 November 2026, 11:00 UTC.
View supporting evidence
Process submission_deadline is "2026-11-03T11:00:00Z"; description states "3rd November 2026 at 11am".
Clarification deadline
99% confidence
20 October 2026, via the portal correspondence option.
View supporting evidence
Opportunity description: "The deadline for clarification questions is 20th October 2026 which must be generated via the correspondence option on the website."
Tender access
98% confidence
Express interest in the Current Tenders area of the portal to access tender documentation.
View supporting evidence
Opportunity description: "Interested parties are invited to express their interest to gain full access to the tender documentation."
RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
Points requiring attention
Clinical delivery capability
99% confidence
Lot 2 requires remote clinical consultations and clinical assessment of suitability for prescription medication.
View supporting evidence
Lot 2 description requires remote consultations "to assess suitability for Varenicline or Cytisine".
Secure fulfilment
99% confidence
Both lots require reliable and secure direct-to-client postal delivery.
View supporting evidence
Both lot descriptions require delivery "using a reliable and secure postal service".
Tender documentation dependency
98% confidence
Detailed terms, evaluation criteria, compliance requirements and submission instructions are not included in the supplied notice and require portal access.
View supporting evidence
The notice states that expressing interest is required "to gain full access to the tender documentation".
ProcuraAxis analysis supplements, but does not replace, the original notice and tender documents. Always verify eligibility, deadlines and commercial terms with the issuing authority.
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