Scope
Reference
C397038
Description
Request for Information for the provision of a Drug Tariff Solution. The solution is required to create the Drug Tariff which the NHSBSA produces on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. The NHSBSA are looking to introduce a flexible solution, underpinning business activities, to enable more agility to react to an ever-changing landscape and future proof the creation and accessing of the Drug Tariff by end users (e.g. pharmacists).
The Drug Tariff outlines:
• what will be paid to pharmacy contractors for NHS services provided either for reimbursement or remuneration
• dispensing rules
• value of the fees and allowances to be paid
• drug and appliance prices paid.
This pre-market engagement exercise is to determine new solutions available to continue to deliver the Drug Tariff to NHSBSA customers while optimising efficiencies.
This invitation to participate in the RFI has been published on the Find a Tender Service and on Contracts Finder.
Total value (estimated)
- £200,000 excluding VAT
- £240,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2030
- Possible extension to 30 June 2031
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 72222300 - Information technology services
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
21 November 2025
Engagement process description
The requirement is for a solution which produces the Drug Tariff from importing several data sources (from the NHSBSA CDR (Common Drug Reference) database in xml format, Microsoft Word and PDF documents (for NHS Directions) as well as Excel documents for new content).
At this stage we are seeking high-level input to enable us to assess the market and to inform any future investment and resulting procurement process.
Suppliers who register an interest should provide a written RFI responses by 21st November 2025.
Interested parties must register an interest in this RFI via https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome (search opportunities using system reference C397038).
Suppliers should note that this RFI is a market research exercise only and it is not an invitation to tender or invitation to offer an agreement.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 April 2026
Contracting authority
NHS Business Services Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRLZ-1599-JGTT
Stella House, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 8NY
United Kingdom
Contact name: NHSBSA Commercial Services
Email: nhsbsa.commercialservicesteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
Website: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/
Region: UKC22 - Tyneside
Organisation type: Public authority - central government