Purpose of Engagement The Contracting Authority is undertaking preliminary market engagement in advance of a potential future procurement for the provision of healthcare linen and laundry services. The purpose of this engagement is to: • Assess current market capacity and capability. • Understand available service delivery models. • Explore opportunities for innovation, resilience and business continuity. • Understand supplier approaches to sustainability, carbon reduction and reusable textile solutions. • Consider potential mobilisation requirements and timescales. • Inform the development of the future procurement strategy, specification and contract requirements. This engagement is being undertaken in accordance with Sections 16 and 17 of the Procurement Act 2023 and does not constitute a call for competition. Participation in the engagement process will not provide any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement exercise. Scope The Contracting Authority is interested in engaging with suppliers capable of delivering healthcare laundry and linen services, including but not limited to: • Processing and laundering of healthcare linen. • Linen rental and managed linen services. • Reusable theatre and clinical textile solutions. • Collection and distribution services. • Emergency and contingency service provision. • Stock management and inventory control. • Digital and reporting solutions. • Sustainable and environmentally responsible service delivery. Suppliers must be able to demonstrate compliance with relevant healthcare standards and requirements, including arrangements for the processing of healthcare linen. Engagement Activity The Contracting Authority intends to undertake one or more of the following: • Supplier meetings. • Market engagement questionnaires. • Requests for information. • Site visits. • Supplier presentations. • Market engagement events. Participation is voluntary and no supplier will be excluded from any future procurement opportunity on the basis of non-participation. Indicative Timetable • Publication of engagement notice: • Supplier expressions of interest: • Engagement activities: • Potential procurement commencement: The timetable is provided for planning purposes only and may change. Response Requirements Interested suppliers should provide: 1. Company details and contact information. 2. Overview of healthcare linen and laundry experience. 3. Details of processing facilities and geographic coverage, including ability to provide a service in the North East of England. 4. Any information the supplier considers relevant to the future service requirement.

Procurement Act 2023

Submit the information requested to [email protected]