NHS Digital – Improving Procurement Framework Control for Complex Technology Contracts
Client Types Buyer
Life Cycle Stage Contracting & Negotiation
Sectors Healthcare, Public Sector & Government, Technology & Digital
Pain point:
“How do we design a procurement and contract structure that enables innovation at scale while maintaining governance, compliance and value for money?”
See how Clear structured a multi-supplier framework and commercial strategy to deliver large-scale digital healthcare transformation.
Commercial Outcome
Designed a bespoke multi-supplier framework enabling access to innovative digital healthcare solutions at scale
Accelerated procurement of technology services while maintaining governance, compliance and value for money
Established clear contractual structures, evaluation methodologies and commercial controls for a £1bn annual spend
Enabled faster adoption of digital GP services, improving access and patient outcomes across England and Wales
Situation
NHS Digital (formerly HSCIC) needed to drive adoption of new digital services across GP practices to reduce waiting times, enable remote consultations and improve access to healthcare.
Delivering this required a large-scale procurement programme to source innovative technology solutions, including remote diagnostics, video consultations and online appointment systems. The programme involved complex stakeholder requirements, evolving policy direction and significant supplier market interest.
Clear Consulting was engaged to provide commercial contract strategy, procurement design and stakeholder engagement support to ensure the programme delivered both innovation and commercial control.
Develop a robust procurement and commercial strategy for digital healthcare services
Design an appropriate contract structure to support innovation and scalability
Establish clear evaluation methodologies aligned to value for money and service outcomes
Manage stakeholder engagement across a complex and evolving policy environment
Deliver procurement within challenging timescales while maintaining governance and compliance
Services
Commercial Contract Strategy and Framework Design
Designed a multi-lot framework agreement to support a diverse supplier ecosystem
Developed contractual structures aligned to service delivery, pricing and performance
Procurement Strategy and Evaluation Design
Defined procurement approach using competitive dialogue methodology
Developed evaluation criteria and scoring methodologies aligned to programme objectives
I worked alongside Clear on a complex and time-critical procurement. Despite the challenging conditions, Clear remained pragmatic, focused and good-humoured throughout. They never lost sight of the bigger picture and one of their strengths is the ability to spot risks early-on, to identify practical and workable solutions and to deliver results.
Market Engagement and Supplier Management
Led market engagement with a global supplier base
Managed bidder engagement across a highly competitive procurement process
Business Case and Requirements Development
Supported development of business case and sourcing strategy
Defined requirements across multiple service categories and user needs
Negotiation and Contract Drafting
Led commercial negotiations and contract drafting across framework lots
Ensured contractual terms were robust, scalable and aligned to future service delivery
Achievements
Delivered a complex, multi-supplier framework agreement within challenging timescales
Enabled access to a wide range of pre-approved technology suppliers under agreed terms, pricing and standards
Supported procurement of innovative digital healthcare solutions at scale
Established a framework that continued to inform procurement approaches within the NHS
Balanced competing stakeholder requirements while maintaining strong commercial governance
How do we design a procurement and contract structure that enables innovation at scale while maintaining governance, compliance and value for money?
