University of Suffolk Dental and Student Education Service

NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board is seeking a provider to deliver the University of Suffolk Dental and Student Education Service in Ipswich under a Personal Dental Services (PDS) Agreement.

The service will combine the delivery of primary care dental services with undergraduate education, providing placements and clinical supervision for students studying on the University of Suffolk BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course.

Services will be delivered from the University of Suffolk James Hehir building in Ipswich, Suffolk.

The successful provider will be expected to accommodate and supervise approximately 44 undergraduate students within the practice at any one time. Each student placement will attract an annual payment of £10,229.

Alongside its education responsibilities, the provider will deliver 32,400 Units of Dental Activity (UDA) each year under the PDS Agreement, with each UDA commissioned at £36.40.

The contract is scheduled to commence on 1 June 2027 and run until 31 May 2037.

Contract Information

• Buyer: NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board
• Deadline: 23rd Oct 2026 12:00
• Contract Value: £16,294,390 excluding VAT
• Delivery Length: 120 months – 1st June 2027 to 31st May 2037
• Tender Link: Atamis e-sourcing portal

Evaluation Criteria

Price will not be the only award criterion.

The full evaluation criteria and associated requirements are set out within the procurement documentation.

Procurement and Regulatory Information

The opportunity is being conducted as a competitive process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

The Integrated Care Board has confirmed that the Procurement Act 2023 does not apply to this contract award.

Variants will not be accepted and no contract renewal or options have been specified.

The ICB may, however, introduce additional services during the contract period where requirements are similar or complementary to those already commissioned. Any resulting contract variation would be undertaken in accordance with the Provider Selection Regime Regulations.

Providers must register and submit their response electronically through the Atamis e-procurement portal before the stated deadline.

The ten-year opportunity represents a substantial long-term dental services contract combining primary care delivery with the education and clinical development of future dental hygiene and therapy professionals in Suffolk.

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