Financial Assurance Framework
Framework Description
The Financial Assurance Framework is a Department of Health and Social Care procurement to support NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) on major transformation programmes, complex procurements and strategic commercial work. It will be a single-lot framework with an estimated end date of 30 June 2030 and an option to extend by up to 24 months to 30 June 2032. NHSBSA ran preliminary market engagement through Find a Tender notice 082321-2025, with responses due by 23 January 2026.
Context & Use Case
NHSBSA will use the framework to bring in specialist financial and commercial assurance on transformation and sourcing programmes linked to critical national infrastructure and NHS administration services. A stated aim is to raise the skills of in-house teams as well as deliver advice. The framework will also support the future development of NHSBSA's commercial and finance functions.
Scope of Services
Financial assurance for transformation programmes Advice on complex procurement and sourcing strategies Commercial and financial risk assessment Finance and commercial function development Skills transfer to in-house teams Programme financial governance
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suits financial advisory firms, commercial assurance specialists and consultancies with NHS or central government transformation experience. Because the framework is Coming soon, suppliers cannot join yet; they need to bid when the tender is open. Single-lot structure means bidders will need to cover the full scope.
Buyer Benefits
NHSBSA gets assurance capacity when large programmes need it without adding permanent headcount, and a route to build its own team's capability. Independent assurance reduces the risk of poor investment and contract decisions on critical national systems. Buyers will look for credible experts, a clear method and evidence of knowledge transfer.
Next Steps
Watch Find a Tender for the tender notice that follows engagement notice 082321-2025; NHSBSA used the Atamis e-tendering system for its engagement pack. Prepare case studies of financial assurance on large public programmes, ideally NHS or central government, along with named experts and your approach to skills transfer. Plan your resourcing for a term that could run to 30 June 2032 with extensions.
How Athena Can Help
With the Financial Assurance Framework still Coming soon, Athena can start your bid now. Our bid management consultants would plan the bid, draft case studies and build win themes around assurance quality and capability transfer. Before submission, a compliance check through our framework application service confirms every selection question is covered. We can also help with public sector pricing, setting day rates that win against larger firms without eroding margin.
