Digital Technical Clinical Support (DTCS) Framework
Framework Description
The Digital Technical Clinical Support (DTCS) framework is NHS London Procurement Partnership's route to specialist technical and clinical digital professional services. Hosted by Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, it replaced the Clinical Digital Professional Services (CDPS) framework and runs until 17 August 2029 with no extension. Its five lots cover cloud hosting, design and development, implementation, integration and general clinical digital services.
Context & Use Case
NHS trusts and other healthcare buyers use DTCS when they lack the in-house skills to deliver a clinical digital programme, such as moving systems to the cloud, integrating a new clinical system with existing ones, or bringing in implementation specialists for go-live. Buyers pick the lot that matches the skill they need, then call off by direct award or further competition.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Cloud Hosting, Environment Build, Operation and Maintenance Professional Services Lot 2: Design, Development and Deployment Professional Services Lot 3: Implementation Professional Services Lot 4: Integration Professional Services Lot 5: General Clinical Digital Professional Services
Lots
Lot 1: Cloud Hosting, Environment Build, Operation and Maintenance Professional Services; Lot 2: Design, Development and Deployment Professional Services; Lot 3: Implementation Professional Services; Lot 4: Integration Professional Services; Lot 5: General Clinical Digital Professional Services
Who Can Apply
Suits digital consultancies, systems integrators, cloud specialists and clinical informatics firms with NHS project experience. Applications for DTCS are closed (it is not a DPS), so suppliers outside it cannot join now. The next chance is likely to be the re-tender around 17 August 2029.
Buyer Benefits
Clinical digital programmes often stall for lack of people with the right mix of technical and clinical knowledge. DTCS lets a trust bring in specific skills, such as integration engineers or implementation leads, quickly through a defined lot, while further competition keeps day rates in check.
Next Steps
Framework suppliers should stay in regular contact with LPP and target trusts, and keep case studies, CVs and rate cards ready for short further competitions. Suppliers not on DTCS should consider open routes in the meantime, such as LPP's Implementation Support for Digital Health Systems DPS, and plan their evidence for the next tender.
How Athena Can Help
DTCS further competitions often have tight deadlines and scoring weighted to people and method. Athena's short-deadline bid writing builds strong method statements, CVs and win themes, and checks rate cards against what rivals are likely to bid.
If you are not on DTCS, our applications to open NHS DPSs can get you onto routes you can join now, and our public sector bid advisers help you prepare for the 2029 re-tender.
