RM6380 is one of the first NHS Workforce Alliance framework agreements to be established under the new Procurement Act 2023 (PA23). Taking advantage of the increased flexibilities this allows, we’ve developed the framework to enable a variety of ways to engage with suppliers and select the right supplier for your specific requirements. The supplier selection process is all about getting the right solution for your needs, not about creating unnecessary work.
The starting point of any award process is to establish what your requirement is. What that requirement looks like will be key in developing the appropriate procurement route. An important step in shaping that requirement is to engage with the market to understand the options and inform the different stages that you may wish to include in the selection process.
Several options exist under the RM6380 framework, including award without competition and competitive selection process.
Award without competition (AWOC)
Similar to other framework agreements, it is possible to select a supplier without carrying out a competitive bidding process. The mechanism included in RM6380 allows for the identification of capable suppliers and then selection based on the framework agreement pricing. As was the case with previous direct award provisions, this is designed to be used for standardised service requirements where the terms set out at framework level, including the specification and contractual provisions, meet your individual needs.
Competitive selection process
One of the key aims of RM6380 is to deliver more strategic, tailored workforce solutions to buyers. On that basis, the use of the AWOC process may not be the best way to get what you need out of a selection process. Where this is the case, you are able to design a competitive process that allows you to get what you need without incorporating additional administrative burdens where they don’t bring a benefit.
The competitive stages that can be considered, either individually or in combination include the following:
- Tailored conditions of participation – Setting specific eligibility criteria to ensure engagement with only suitably qualified suppliers
- Formal tendering – Suppliers submit written bids against defined requirements
- Presentations and demonstrations – Shortlisted suppliers present their proposals or demonstrate their solutions to help assess capability
- Dialogue and negotiation – Engaging directly with suppliers to refine proposals, clarify details, and agree on the best value solution
Use of these different stages can help you to identify the right supplier as well as helping you to develop the detail of your actual requirement as you progress through the process and gain a fuller understanding of what’s available and what you need.
To explore how to make the best use of available options, please contact us and we can help you design the best call off process for your specific requirements.
