- Lot 1. Lot 1: Products and/or Services Catalogue
- Lot 2. Lot 2 Digital Dictation service solution with AI Technology
- Lot 3. Lot 3 Digital Dictation service solution without AI Technology
- Lot 4. Lot 4: Outsourced transcription service solution with AI Technology
- Lot 5. Lot 5 Outsourced transcription service solution without AI Technology
- Lot 6. Lot 6: Managed service solution
Scope
Reference
C361880
Description
This is a replacement of the existing NHS England endorsed FWA. NHS England is heavily invested in initiatives that improve patient outcomes and relieving pressure on hospitals. There is a growing need for Digital Dictation, Speech/Voice Recognition, Outsourced Transcription, and associated services in the NHS. These technologies offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and reducing administrative burdens, which are crucial for an organization facing high demand and striving for digital transformation. The ongoing development of AI and cloud-based solutions will likely further enhance the capabilities and adoption of these services within the NHS. There will be continuous need for the service as Contracting Authorities are aligning with the NHSE initiative to push for digital tools, including transcription services, to help manage the high volume of documentation efficiently. The market is dynamic and there will be need for Contracting Authorities and service providers to align with the changing regulations. For the past 4 (four) years 14 Trusts procured the services captured under the proposed FWA amounted to £9,575,319.00. £2,235,563.00 from 8 Trusts went through the FWA which is 23% of the total spend. There is a big opportunity to channel this entire spend through NHSCS FWA which secures compliance as well as value for money solutions. The framework will be divided into 6 lots, as follows: Lot 1: Products and/or Services Catalogue Lot 2: Digital Dictation service solution with AI Technology Lot 3 Digital Dictation service solution without AI Technology Lot 4: Outsourced transcription service solution with AI Technology Lot 5 Outsourced transcription service solution without AI Technology Lot 6: Managed service solution The beneficiaries of the services are NHS Patients receiving Healthcare Services, service users or Citizens within a Local or Central Government organisation within the wider Public Sector Organisations.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £400,000,000 excluding VAT
- £480,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 19 January 2026 to 18 January 2034
- 8 years
Main procurement category
Services
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
This is a replacement of the existing NHS England endorsed FWA. NHS England is heavily invested in initiatives that improve patient outcomes and relieving pressure on hospitals. There is a growing need for Digital Dictation, Speech/Voice Recognition, Outsourced Transcription, and associated services in the NHS. These technologies offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and reducing administrative burdens, which are crucial for an organization facing high demand and striving for digital transformation. The ongoing development of AI and cloud-based solutions will likely further enhance the capabilities and adoption of these services within the NHS. There will be continuous need for the service as Contracting Authorities are aligning with the NHSE initiative to push for digital tools, including transcription services, to help manage the high volume of documentation efficiently. The market is dynamic and there will be need for Contracting Authorities and service providers to align with the changing regulations. For the past 4 (four) years 14 Trusts procured the services captured under the proposed FWA amounted to £9,575,319.00. £2,235,563.00 from 8 Trusts went through the FWA which is 23% of the total spend. There is a big opportunity to channel this entire spend through NHSCS FWA which secures compliance as well as value for money solutions. The framework will be divided into 6 lots, as follows: Lot 1: Products and/or Services Catalogue Lot 2: Digital Dictation service solution with AI Technology Lot 3 Digital Dictation service solution without AI Technology Lot 4: Outsourced transcription service solution with AI Technology Lot 5 Outsourced transcription service solution without AI Technology Lot 6: Managed service solution The beneficiaries of the services are NHS Patients receiving Healthcare Services, service users or Citizens within a Local or Central Government organisation within the wider Public Sector Organisations.
Not the same for all lots
CPV classifications are shown in Lot sections, because they are not the same for all lots.
Lot 1. Lot 1: Products and/or Services Catalogue
Description
Lot 1, offers a catalogue of Hardware, Software and Consultancy Services. Hardware will include but not be limited to Dictaphone, voice recording devices, docking, peripherals, accessories, IT equipment. Software will include but not be limited to licenses, software for Speech/Voice recognition, work-flow, support and maintenance. Services may include consultancy day/hourly rates for planning, implementation, developing interfacing, support, troubleshooting and maintenance
Lot value (estimated)
- £66,666,667 excluding VAT
- £66,800,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 48314000 - Voice recognition software package
- 32332100 - Dictating machines
- 32342450 - Voice recorders
- 32344110 - Voice-logging system
- 79551000 - Typing services
- 48311000 - Document management software package
- 48517000 - IT software package
- 48900000 - Miscellaneous software package and computer systems
- 72300000 - Data services
- 72212314 - Voice recognition software development services
Same for all lots
Contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Lot 2 Digital Dictation service solution with AI Technology
Description
Lot 2 of this framework will offer a Digital Dictation service solution with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology which will enhance the traditional process of recording audio for transcription by integrating intelligent features. Instead of solely relying on human transcriptionists, AI-powered digital dictation systems can automatically transcribe speech to text with increasing accuracy. Software will include but not be limited to licenses, software for Speech/Voice recognition, work-flow, interfacing, speech recognition engine, externally or internally hosted solution (cloud based), insourced and outsourced HR and Consultancy services, support and maintenance. Services may include consultancy day/hourly rates for planning, implementation, developing interfacing, support, troubleshooting and maintenance.
Lot value (estimated)
- £66,666,667 excluding VAT
- £66,800,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 79551000 - Typing services
- 32332100 - Dictating machines
- 48314000 - Voice recognition software package
- 72212314 - Voice recognition software development services
- 48517000 - IT software package
- 32344110 - Voice-logging system
Same for all lots
Contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Lot 3 Digital Dictation service solution without AI Technology
Description
Lot 3 of this framework will offer a Digital Dictation service solution which will enable clinicians to securely record their verbal notes, which can then be efficiently routed for transcription or speech recognition processing, ultimately streamlining the documentation workflow and contributing to improved patient care and operational efficiency. The digital dictation system will meet the diverse needs of clinical staff across the Contracting Authority, providing a robust, user-friendly, and integrated solution for the creation of clinical documentation. Software will include but not be limited to licenses, software for Speech/Voice recognition, work-flow, interfacing, speech recognition engine, externally or internally hosted solution (cloud based), insourced and outsourced HR and Consultancy services, support and maintenance. Services may include consultancy day/hourly rates for planning, implementation, developing interfacing, support, troubleshooting and maintenance
Lot value (estimated)
- £66,666,667 excluding VAT
- £66,800,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 79551000 - Typing services
- 48517000 - IT software package
- 32332100 - Dictating machines
- 48311000 - Document management software package
Same for all lots
Contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Lot 4: Outsourced transcription service solution with AI Technology
Description
Lot 4 will offer outsourced transcription service that primarily utilizes Artificial Intelligence for rapid initial transcription of audio and video files across various languages. The solution must offer a secure platform for file upload and delivery, include features like speaker identification and timestamping, and ideally provide an intuitive interface for both users and human editors.
Lot value (estimated)
- £66,666,667 excluding VAT
- £66,800,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 72317000 - Data storage services
- 72610000 - Computer support services
- 72268000 - Software supply services
- 72212000 - Programming services of application software
- 72300000 - Data services
- 48900000 - Miscellaneous software package and computer systems
Same for all lots
Contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 5. Lot 5 Outsourced transcription service solution without AI Technology
Description
Lot 5 Offers an outsourced transcription services which may have to integrate with the existing systems or work stand-alone/manually. The solution should operate as a complete workflow solution and as such should include the following functionality as a minimum:a comprehensive system to manage Outsourced Transcription Services; compatible with standard Digital Dictation Services; ability to interface with Patient Administration Systems
Lot value (estimated)
- £66,666,667 excluding VAT
- £66,800,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 79550000 - Typing, word-processing and desktop publishing services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 32332100 - Dictating machines
- 79551000 - Typing services
- 79993000 - Building and facilities management services
Same for all lots
Contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 6. Lot 6: Managed service solution
Description
Lot 6: Managed service solution includes the scopes from Lot 2, Lot 3, Lot 4 and Lot 5
Lot value (estimated)
- £66,666,667 excluding VAT
- £66,800,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
CPV classifications
- 72300000 - Data services
- 72250000 - System and support services
- 72800000 - Computer audit and testing services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 72212314 - Voice recognition software development services
- 79993000 - Building and facilities management services
Same for all lots
Contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
19 January 2034
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
1%
Further information about fees
1%. NHSCS are a self-funded, not for profit NHS organisation and do not look to make a profit out of the framework as some other organisations do. Any surplus in ABI also gets passed back to NHS Commercial Solutions member Trusts.
Framework operation description
This is a replacement of the existing NHS England endorsed FWA. NHS England is heavily invested in initiatives that improve patient outcomes and relieving pressure on hospitals. There is a growing need for Digital Dictation, Speech/Voice Recognition, Outsourced Transcription, and associated services in the NHS. These technologies offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and reducing administrative burdens, which are crucial for an organization facing high demand and striving for digital transformation. The ongoing development of AI and cloud-based solutions will likely further enhance the capabilities and adoption of these services within the NHS. There will be continuous need for the service as Contracting Authorities are aligning with the NHSE initiative to push for digital tools, including transcription services, to help manage the high volume of documentation efficiently. The market is dynamic and there will be need for Contracting Authorities and service providers to align with the changing regulations. For the past 4 (four) years 14 Trusts procured the services captured under the proposed FWA amounted to £9,575,319.00. £2,235,563.00 from 8 Trusts went through the FWA which is 23% of the total spend. There is a big opportunity to channel this entire spend through NHSCS FWA which secures compliance as well as value for money solutions. The framework will be divided into 6 lots, as follows: Lot 1: Products and/or Services Catalogue Lot 2: Digital Dictation service solution with AI Technology Lot 3 Digital Dictation service solution without AI Technology Lot 4: Outsourced transcription service solution with AI Technology Lot 5 Outsourced transcription service solution without AI Technology Lot 6: Managed service solution The beneficiaries of the services are NHS Patients receiving Healthcare Services, service users or Citizens within a Local or Central Government organisation within the wider Public Sector Organisations.
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
The Framework Agreement will be accessible by a number of organisations (each a "Participating Organisation" or "Contracting Authority"). The Framework Agreement will be accessible by all NHS and Public Sector organisations within the UK, including Universities and Education Authorities where they are funded by Public Fund (each a "Contracting Authority").
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UK - United Kingdom
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKL - Wales
- UKL1 - West Wales and the Valleys
- UKL14 - South West Wales
- UKL2 - East Wales
- UKM - Scotland
- UKM5 - North Eastern Scotland
- UKM7 - Eastern Scotland
- UKM8 - West Central Scotland
- UKM9 - Southern Scotland
- IE - Ireland
- IE0 - Ireland
- UKN - Northern Ireland
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
- UKM91 - Scottish Borders
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot 1: Products and/or Services Catalogue
Lot 2. Lot 2 Digital Dictation service solution with AI Technology
Lot 3. Lot 3 Digital Dictation service solution without AI Technology
Lot 4. Lot 4: Outsourced transcription service solution with AI Technology
Lot 5. Lot 5 Outsourced transcription service solution without AI Technology
Lot 6. Lot 6: Managed service solution
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 October 2025
Enquiry deadline
26 November 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
3 December 2025, 12:00pm
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
9 January 2026
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
NHS Commercial Solutions
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLDZ-3358-YMVH
The Atrium, Curtis Road
Dorking
RH4 1XA
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ26 - East Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - central government