Planning

Soft Market Testing - Supply of Nicotine-free medication products approved for stop smoking support including: Cytisinicline (Cytisine), Varenicline and Bupropion.

  • North Northamptonshire Council

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-059355

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05a150

Published 24 September 2025, 3:29pm

Last edited 25 September 2025, 9:39am

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Scope

Description

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) Public Health is exploring options for the future supply and distribution of nicotine- free medicine products to support the local smoking cessation service, with particular interest in understanding the market position on pharmacological treatments such as Cytisinicline (Cytisine), Varenicline and Bupropion.

We are seeking to understand the capacity of providers to deliver products direct-to-client and undertake online models of

consultation and assessment of clients, where the provider manages clinical governance (including PGD arrangements).

Purpose of this Exercise:

This is not a formal procurement process. The purpose of this soft market test is to:

• Gauge supplier interest in potential future opportunities.

• Understand online service models, supply capacity and distribution models (direct-to-client delivery).

• Explore the availability and licensing status of Cytisinicline, Varenicline and Bupropion.

• Inform the development of an online stop smoking medicines provision for any future procurement.

Scope of Products (indicative):

• Cytisinicline (Cytisine)

• Varenicline

• Bupropion

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
  • 3 years

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 85100000 - Health services

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

15 October 2025

Engagement process description

Interested suppliers are invited to provide answers to a short questionnaire which can be accessed via the following link :

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-Q6c4geaAku5i3stinjXN0XmezY99pdLqwaOehYqgU9UOUhOVVpDTDA2OU1PSFVKUzBaODE3TTBQUy4u

Interested suppliers should kindly click above to complete the expression of interest form.

If you wish to provide any additional supporting information or documents, these may be submitted within the completed questionnaire, or alternatively these can be submitted via email to:

nnc-PublicHealthCommissioningTeam@northnorthants.gov.uk by 15/10/2025. Kindly ensure to use ''Stop Cessation Medication Soft Market Testing'' as the subject of the email.


Participation

Particular suitability

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Procedure

Special regime

Light touch


Contracting authority

North Northamptonshire Council

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQCM-5634-HGCN

The Corby Cube, George Street

Corby

NN17 1QG

United Kingdom

Region: UKF25 - North Northamptonshire

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government