How to win: Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme (HSST)

About this contract

NHS England Workforce, Training and Education is seeking to re-procure the Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) academic delivery programme. There are 13 lots within this procurement Suppliers may bid for more than one lot The initial contract term shall be five (5) years. The Contracting Authority may, at its discretion, extend the contract for a period of up to two (2) years in accordance with the Contract. Following expiry of the Initial Term or any Extension Term, the contract may continue solely for the purposes of any applicable Run-Off Period, exit and transition arrangements, and any other provisions which expressly or by implication survive expiry or termination, as set out in the Contract (Document 4 Terms & Conditions). Total funding available is £42,186,230.80 . This will train up to 1277 learners across all lots. The maximum price per learner for the 5 years course is: Life Sciences: £25,275.60 per learner (excluding VAT) Non-Life Sciences: £37,915.00 per learner (excluding VAT) The deadline for submission of completed ITT submissions is 4th September 2026 at 12:00pm (midday). Late submissions will not be accepted therefore, please submit in good time prior t

How to win contracts like this

• ✓Answer against the marking scheme, not the question text — NHS England scores each response, so map your evidence to the published criteria and weightings.
• ✓At £42,186,230.8, expect quality and social value to carry a large share of the score — price alone rarely wins services work.
• ✓Show recent, comparable delivery: name similar services contracts you've delivered for public bodies, with measurable outcomes.
• ✓Start early: it closes 4 September 2026 and a strong bid takes iteration.

BidWriter drafts your responses from your company profile, scores them against the marking scheme, and tracks your whole pipeline. Free to start — no card needed.

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