Scope
Reference
6010883
Description
This is a Public Health Agency Sponsored scheme. The Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES) is an evidenced based public health intervention that is vital to the health and wellbeing of the entire community. NSES helps to reduce the potential of drug-related litter, decrease the risk of HIV and Hepatitis B and C within the wider population, and put individuals who use the service in direct contact with a health professional who can help them in engaging with harm reduction services. Forty needle exchange services are commissioned across Northern Ireland, based in areas where there is an existing pattern of people who inject substances, with the aim of helping to protect those with lived and living experience within those communities. Anyone who injects substances can use a needle exchange service at either one of the commissioned NSES or via a postal service option. This includes people who inject opioids, steroids, tanning agents or stimulants. A needle exchange pack is designed to allow people who inject substances to obtain hypodermic needles and associated equipment for the safe, hygienic injecting of various drugs. A core practice of NSES is to ensure each individual has enough injecting equipment for each and every injection. This tender seeks to appoint a supplier for the supply and delivery of these packs as outlined within the tender documentation.
Total value (estimated)
- £3,277,355.26 excluding VAT
- £3,932,826.31 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2028
- Possible extension to 31 December 2032
- 6 years, 7 months
Description of possible extension:
The Buyer will have the option to extend the contract for any period or periods together totalling no more than 48 months.
Extension exercised where the Buyer gives the Supplier no less than three Months' written notice before the expiry of the current Contract Period.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The Buyer reserves the right to increase the product range depending on Service User requirements. The estimated values quoted in FRM03.N38 allow for potential growth and increases to the service.
Main procurement category
Goods
Additional procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 33000000 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Submission
Enquiry deadline
15 July 2025, 3:00pm
Tender submission deadline
31 July 2025, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 September 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quality - Mandatory Quality (Specification) | Pass/Fail as detailed in the Tender documentation. |
Quality |
| Quality - Scored Assessment | 56% as detailed in the Tender documentation. |
Quality |
| Social Value | 14% as detailed in the Tender documentation. |
Quality |
| Price | 30% as detailed in the Tender documentation. |
Price |
| Quality - Mandatory Quality (Product Assessment) | Pass/Fail as detailed in the Tender documentation. |
Quality |
Weighting description
The Award Criteria is as detailed in the Tender documentation.
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
N/A
Contracting authority
Public Health Agency
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGGH-1787-BZLL
12-22 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BS
United Kingdom
Email: PDRandOps.sourcing@hscni.net
Website: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
Regional Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Service
Summary of their role in this procurement: Tendering service for Health Service NI entities.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWNJ-1991-NGDW
77 Boucher Crescent
Belfast
BT12 6HU
United Kingdom
Email: PDRandOps.sourcing@hscni.net
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Contact organisation
Contact Regional Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Service for any enquiries.