Public Health Pharmacy Pseudo-Dynamic Purchasing System (PDPS) Round 9
A practical guide to understanding what the London Borough of Newham really wants and how to build a winning response.
This isn't just about pharmacy supplies
When I look at this opportunity, it's clear that the London Borough of Newham is looking for more than just suppliers of pharmaceutical goods.
They're looking for partners who can effectively support public health initiatives.
This framework includes smoking cessation, sexual health services, needle exchange, naloxone provision and supervised consumption.
It's a broad and impactful scope.
Getting a place on this PDPS means you're committing to delivering these vital services across London, potentially adapting to new services as they evolve.
Think about community impact, not just products
Yes, you're supplying medical supplies.
But every single item you provide contributes to critical public health outcomes.
If I were evaluating bids, I'd be looking for evidence that you understand the human side of these services.
How do your offerings improve health outcomes for residents?
What systems do you have in place to ensure accessibility and reliability?
Pay attention to what they say
The London Borough of Newham is clear about a few things.
They've emphasised that services may evolve, and they expect flexibility.
So, I'd focus on demonstrating how your organisation adapts to change.
They also mention that key performance indicators and tariffs will be reviewed annually.
That tells me they're looking for ongoing improvement and responsiveness to policy changes.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I've noticed over the years is that promises are easy to make, but evidence is what wins tenders.
If I were writing this submission, I'd focus on evidence like:
- Data showing successful outcomes in smoking cessation or STI screenings
- Testimonials from clients or partners in similar contracts
- Examples of successfully adapting to service changes
- Proven strategies for maintaining service quality over time
Don't just fill out the paperwork
This is a competitive mini-competition for a place on a PDPS.
It's not just about ticking boxes.
You're competing to show that you're the best at what you do, and that you can deliver consistently over 1440 days.
I'd make sure every part of the submission reflects your capacity to maintain high standards throughout the term.
Understand that winning a place is just the start
Getting onto this PDPS is a significant step, but it's not the end.
It's the beginning of a relationship with the Council.
Once you're on, you'll need to be ready for:
- Further mini-competitions for specific contracts
- Potentially being awarded work directly if you're the best fit
- Regular reviews of your performance and tariffs
This means your initial submission must be strong enough to secure a place, but also flexible enough to compete for work once you're on the framework.
Show your adaptability and readiness
The Council has made it clear that services could change over time.
So, I'd make sure to explain how your organisation stays prepared for such changes.
Do you have a team dedicated to monitoring public health policy developments?
How quickly can you adjust your services to meet new demands?
These are the kinds of details that reassure a buyer that you're ready for anything.
Think about the people you're serving
Ultimately, this tender isn't just about supplies or services.
It's about people—those who rely on smoking cessation services, sexual health support and other crucial health interventions.
I'd keep reminding myself of this throughout the bid writing process.
Every response should be tested against one question: "How does this improve public health outcomes for the community?"
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on products without considering community health impacts
- Ignore the potential for service changes and lack flexibility
- Provide promises without supporting evidence or data
- Fail to demonstrate an understanding of the specific public health services required
- Overlook the need for ongoing performance improvement and adaptation
- Assume winning a place guarantees work without further competition
My Final Thoughts
The London Borough of Newham is searching for partners who can adapt and deliver essential public health services.
This PDPS isn't just a list of suppliers—it's a dynamic partnership over 1440 days.
The key is demonstrating your ability to adapt to their evolving needs and maintain high standards.
Remember, the quality of your written submission will be crucial.
Every claim needs to be backed by evidence.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
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Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.