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Last Updated on 08/09/2026 by Sarah Sarsby
NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) has provided suppliers with updates on its Commercial Transformation Programme, cyber security requirements, and approach to social value as part of its latest supplier webinar.
The webinar outlined plans for earlier engagement with suppliers ahead of tenders, progress towards a new procurement platform, and further clarification on the Single Transacted National Price (STNP).
As part of its Commercial Transformation Programme, NHSSC said it wants to engage suppliers earlier during the tendering process.
This will include earlier sharing of tender scope and requirements, regular touchpoints, and in-person engagement potentially up to a year before a tender enters the market.
NHSSC said the approach should give suppliers greater visibility of what will be required and when, helping them plan their tender responses while reducing the need for additional information later in the process. The changes are beginning now for new tender activity.
NHSSC is also progressing plans for a single digital platform covering areas including procurement pipeline visibility, procurement activity, and contract management.
The work follows supplier engagement in May and June, which generated more than 20 recommendations. Simplifying data sharing, reducing duplicated documentation, and improving visibility of upcoming procurement activity were identified as key priorities.
NHSSC aims to identify its preferred platform by April 2027, with go-live targeted for late summer 2027.
Following its previous update on STNP, NHSSC reiterated that the long-term pricing model is intended to reduce unwarranted price variation and aggregate demand across the NHS.
Importantly for suppliers, NHSSC stressed that STNP is not intended to restrict customer choice or product ranges. The organisation said it wants to balance the advantages of national scale with the flexibility for customers to select products appropriate to their clinical settings.
Implementation will be gradual, with suppliers expected to be involved in shaping future pricing mechanisms as existing approaches are phased out.
NHSSC also reinforced the cyber security requirements outlined during its June supplier webinar, including Cyber Essentials Plus for suppliers in scope of Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 014 and the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) for applicable suppliers processing NHS patient data.
The webinar provided further detail on NHSSC’s high-risk supplier process. Cyber risk is monitored using Dun & Bradstreet data, with suppliers receiving a cyber risk score. Those scoring below 70 are considered high risk and may be contacted to complete additional due diligence.
NHSSC said scores can change over time and that suppliers dropping below the threshold may subsequently be contacted. It also acknowledged concerns about duplication between different cyber assurance requirements and said it is working to align its approach with NHS England’s Cyber Improvement Programme where possible.
The update came as NHSSC was responding to supply disruption following a cyber attack affecting Boston Scientific. NHSSC said information about the incident remained limited at the time of the webinar and encouraged suppliers to remain vigilant.
NHSSC confirmed that its current approach to social value in procurement will remain in place while it awaits further guidance following updates to the government’s social value procurement policy.
Suppliers will continue to be asked to outline the social value opportunities they can provide. These are published on framework contract launch pages, enabling NHS customers to identify opportunities relevant to local priorities.
NHSSC also emphasised that organisations of different sizes have different capacities to deliver social value and said its approach is intended to allow suppliers to demonstrate opportunities appropriate to their business.
Further guidance is expected in the coming months, while the October supplier webinar is due to cover the 2027 sustainability milestone and its implications for procurements from April 2027.
