Scope
Reference
P3450
Description
Healthy Start is a mandatory Government initiative designed to improve the health of low-income pregnant women and families through the provision of free healthy food, milk, and vitamins. Eligibility extends to women who are at least ten weeks pregnant and families with children under four years of age in receipt of certain benefits or tax credits.
This award relates only to the vitamin component of the Healthy Start programme.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £450,000 excluding VAT
- £540,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
31 December 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028
- Possible extension to 1 January 2029
- 3 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
Extension is subject to satisfactory performance and budgetary availability.
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 33616000 - Vitamins
Contract locations
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
A direct award to NHS Supply Chain is justified under Section 41(1) and Schedule 5, paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023, as a Direct Award in Special Cases. This approach is necessary due to the absence of viable competition for technical reasons and the lack of reasonable alternatives. NHS Supply Chain is the sole provider capable of meeting the statutory and policy requirements of the Healthy Start programme.
Awarding directly ensures compliance with legal obligations, supports the delivery of essential public health services, and aligns with wider Council policy objectives.
Supplier
NHS Supply Chain
- Companies House: 10881715
West Way, Cotes Park Industrial Estate, Alfreton
Derbyshire
DE55 4QJ
United Kingdom
Region: UKF13 - South and West Derbyshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Birmingham City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCJJ-4826-QMLZ
Council House, 1 Victoria Square
Birmingham
B1 1BB
United Kingdom
Contact name: Commercial and Procurement Services
Email: etendering@birmingham.gov.uk
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government