The NHS Dynamic Purchasing System — commonly called the NHS DPS — is one of the most important procurement vehicles for healthcare providers in England. Understanding how it works and how to make the most of it can transform the volume and value of contracts your organisation wins.

This guide explains exactly what a DPS is, how it differs from a traditional framework, how to join one and how to respond effectively to call-off competitions to win contracts.

What Is a Dynamic Purchasing System?

A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) is an electronic procurement arrangement that allows commissioners — NHS bodies, local authorities and other public sector organisations — to source services from a pre-qualified pool of providers throughout the life of the system.

Unlike a traditional framework agreement where the provider list is fixed at the start and closed to new entrants, a DPS is open for new providers to join at any time during its lifetime. This makes it significantly more accessible for growing and newer organisations.

Key point: A DPS has no fixed end date in the same way a traditional framework does. Some NHS DPS arrangements have been running for 5–7 years and continue to accept new providers. If you missed the initial intake, you can still apply to join at any point.

How a DPS Works — Step by Step

The DPS process has two distinct stages:

Stage 1 — Admission to the DPS

To join a DPS, you complete a Selection Questionnaire (SQ) — similar to a PQQ — demonstrating that your organisation meets the minimum standards required to deliver the relevant services. This typically covers CQC registration, insurance levels, financial standing, safeguarding policies and relevant experience.

If your application is successful, you are admitted to the DPS as an approved provider. Being on the DPS does not mean you have won a contract — it means you are eligible to bid for contracts as they arise.

Stage 2 — Call-off competitions

When the commissioner needs to procure a specific service or contract, they run a call-off competition among admitted DPS providers. This involves sending an Invitation to Tender (ITT) — a scored bid document — to all eligible providers or a subset of them based on geography, service type or other criteria.

You respond to the call-off ITT with a quality response and pricing. The commissioner evaluates all responses and awards the contract to the highest-scoring provider.

DPS vs Traditional Framework — Key Differences

DPS Advantages

  • Open to new providers at any time — no fixed intake window
  • No fixed end date — can run indefinitely
  • Lower barrier to entry — simpler admission process
  • Flexible — commissioners can run call-offs at any time for any contract size
  • Growing providers can join as they meet the criteria

DPS Considerations

  • No guaranteed work — you must win each call-off competitively
  • Can be highly competitive with many admitted providers
  • Call-off deadlines can be short — sometimes 2 weeks
  • Admission does not mean preferred supplier status
  • Must maintain compliance throughout — admission can be suspended

Major NHS DPS Frameworks for Healthcare Providers

There are several significant DPS arrangements that UK healthcare providers should be aware of:

  • NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) Healthcare DPS — covers a wide range of NHS-funded healthcare services including community health, primary care support and specialist services
  • Local authority adult social care DPS frameworks — most councils in England operate their own DPS for domiciliary care, supported living, residential care and day services
  • NHS Supply2Health — an NHS procurement platform used by ICBs and trusts to source a range of health and social care services
  • NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative — regional DPS used by NHS organisations across the North of England
  • Crown Commercial Service RM6162 — used for some NHS and public sector healthcare staffing and service procurement

Important: Each DPS is commissioner-specific — being admitted to one DPS does not automatically admit you to another. You must apply separately to each DPS you want to join. Bidora Consulting provides a managed DPS monitoring service to help you identify and apply to the most relevant frameworks for your organisation.

How to Apply to Join a NHS DPS

Applying to join a DPS involves completing a Selection Questionnaire on the relevant procurement portal. The process typically takes 4–10 hours depending on how prepared you are.

Documents you will need ready:

  • CQC certificate and current registration details
  • Employer's liability insurance certificate (minimum £5m — check per DPS)
  • Professional indemnity insurance certificate
  • Public liability insurance certificate
  • Most recent 2 years of filed company accounts
  • Safeguarding policy (adults and children)
  • Health and safety policy
  • Equality and diversity policy
  • GDPR / data protection policy
  • 2–3 case studies of similar services delivered

How to Win DPS Call-Off Competitions

Being admitted to a DPS is only the beginning. To generate revenue, you need to win call-off competitions — and these are genuinely competitive. With 50–200 admitted providers on some larger DPS frameworks, the quality and price of your call-off response is what determines your income.

Key strategies for winning DPS call-offs:

  • Respond to every relevant call-off — providers who bid more frequently build evaluator familiarity and improve their response quality over time
  • Read the specification carefully — call-off specifications are often highly specific to the individual contract. Generic responses lose to tailored ones every time
  • Reference your DPS admission evidence — remind commissioners of your credentials, CQC rating and experience in your opening response
  • Price competitively but sustainably — call-off competitions often have a stronger price weighting than open tenders. Know your floor price and do not go below it
  • Respond quickly — call-off deadlines are often 10–14 days. Have a template response bank ready to adapt quickly

Winning tip: Build a bank of pre-written quality responses covering the most common call-off question themes — staffing, safeguarding, person-centred care, quality management and mobilisation. This lets you respond to a 2-week call-off in hours rather than days, giving you more time to tailor and strengthen each answer.

How Bidora Consulting Helps With DPS Applications and Call-Offs

Bidora Consulting helps healthcare providers identify relevant DPS frameworks, complete admission applications and respond to call-off competitions. Our team monitors NHS and local authority procurement portals daily and alerts clients to new DPS opportunities and call-off invitations.

Contact us to discuss your DPS strategy and find out which frameworks are most relevant for your services and geography.

Need Help Joining a NHS DPS or Responding to a Call-Off?

Bidora Consulting manages DPS applications and call-off responses for healthcare providers across England. Free consultation, no obligation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to join a NHS DPS?

The admission process typically takes 1–3 weeks from application submission to decision, depending on the commissioner's evaluation timeline. Preparing your application documents can take 4–10 hours. Bidora Consulting can complete your DPS admission application and have you ready to submit within 48 hours.

Can I join multiple DPS frameworks at the same time?

Yes — and you should. Most providers who generate significant contract revenue through DPS are admitted to 5–15 different frameworks covering their geographic areas and service types. Each DPS requires a separate application but the content is largely reusable.

What happens if I fail the DPS admission assessment?

You can reapply as soon as you have addressed the reason for rejection. The most common reasons for DPS admission failure are insufficient insurance levels, inadequate financial accounts or missing mandatory policies. Most rejections can be resolved and a new application submitted within 2–4 weeks.

Is the DPS replacing traditional NHS frameworks?

The DPS is increasingly the preferred procurement model for NHS and local authority commissioners because of its flexibility and accessibility. While traditional frameworks still exist, many commissioners are transitioning to DPS arrangements as they come up for renewal. Understanding and joining DPS frameworks is now essential for any provider serious about winning NHS contracts.