Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)
4-5 Charnwood Court,, Heol Billingsley, Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QZ
Contact
Vijay Prasthan Varma Buddharaju
vijay.buddharaju2@wales.nhs.uk
Telephone
+44 2921501500
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
RPS Training
Reference number
HEIW - STA - 782
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80000000 - Education and training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
HEIW has a requirement for the continued delivery of structured training to support community pharmacy novice independent prescribers as part of the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPs). Following a successful pilot programme in collaboration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), which provided expert-led workshops to build confidence and competence in prescribing, HEIW now seeks to commission 32 training events over three years. These sessions, delivered both virtually and in-person, will cover four key topics per year, ensuring independent prescribers receive high-quality therapeutic training aligned with the community pharmacy contract in Wales.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £95,550
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL - Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
HEIW sought to procure a structured training programme to support community pharmacy novice independent prescribers as part of the Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Service (PIPs). This procurement will cover the delivery of 32 educational events over three years, with four key topics per year and eight sessions per topic. The training will be provided both virtually and in-person, incorporating expert-led teaching, case studies, interactive discussions, and supporting learning materials. The aim is to enhance the confidence and competence of independent prescribers, ensuring they can effectively deliver prescribing services within community pharmacy settings in Wales.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
The award of this contract without prior publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) is lawful, as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is the only recognised professional leadership body for pharmacists in the UK with the exclusive expertise, intellectual property, and accreditation required to deliver this specialised training. RPS has already co-developed and successfully piloted the programme in collaboration with HEIW, possessing unique knowledge, bespoke materials, and a proven methodology tailored specifically to community pharmacy independent prescribers in Wales. Given the absence of competition for technical reasons and the exclusive rights held by RPS over the training content and methodology, no other provider can deliver this programme without significant duplication of effort, cost, and disruption. A competitive tender would therefore not provide additional value and may delay the timely delivery of essential training, making the direct award both lawful and justifiable under the regulations.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
HEIW - STA - 782
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
1 March 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 0
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
THE ROYAL PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN
66-68 East Smithfield
London
E1W1AW
Telephone
+44 2075722402
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI42 - Tower Hamlets
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £95,550
Total value of the contract/lot: £95,550
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:149580)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom