Scope
Reference
MW/UOP/Nutritional_Supplements/109/25
Description
The University of Plymouth is leading the REFRESH trial to compare the effectiveness of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and of food fortification with routine care. We are looking to procure ONS to supply to the care homes assigned.
This will be approximately 30 care homes situated in Devon, West Midlands and Dorset & Hampshire, to give to a total of 510 residents, during the active study phase Oct 25 to May 28.
To view more detail of the study please visit:
Total value (estimated)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2025 to 1 May 2028
- 2 years, 7 months, 1 day
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 15881000 - Homogenised food preparations
- 15882000 - Dietetic products
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
4 August 2025
Engagement process description
• We wish to procure the following three oral nutritional supplements or equivalent:
o Ensure Compact (Abbott Nutrition)
o Fortisip Compact (Nutricia)
o Altraplen Compact (Nualtra)
• These will need to be supplied and delivered to up to 30 care homes distributed throughout Hampshire, Dorset, Devon and the West Midlands participating in a research trial.
• Supply will be in batches to named care homes to be delivered monthly.
• Care homes will be given the option to use one of the three brands so a delivery to any given home will only be one brand, but should include all available flavours, or the flavours specified in the order.
• The maximum order size will be approximately 1020/month.
• The first care homes will start ordering these ONS from Oct 2025 and orders from subsequent care homes will start at different times throughout the following 15 months.
• Each care home will have the monthly delivery for 12 months.
• Orders will be placed between Oct 2025 and April 2028.
• Each care home will specify their actual needs monthly so the actual delivery amount will vary according to their needs. This is to avoid over-ordering and product wastage.
• The pattern of ordering will mean most ONS are ordered between Aug 2026 and Jun 2027 (i.e. all 30 care homes are active, after Jun 2027 care homes will start leaving the trial)
• ONS normally have a 12-month shelf-life from date of manufacture. The delivered ONS will be expected to have at least a 6-month shelf-life.
Please email Megan.worth@plymouth.ac.uk by 04/08/2025 with any expressions of interest and clarification questions
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Contracting authority
University of Plymouth
- UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number): 10007801
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQHL-4825-PGGL
Drakes Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
United Kingdom
Email: supplier@plymouth.ac.uk
Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/
Region: UKK41 - Plymouth
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government