Linen and Laundry
Framework Description
Linen and Laundry (SBS10503) is NHS Shared Business Services' framework for linen and laundry services for the NHS and wider public sector, including care homes, schools and emergency services. Five lots cover wash and return, linen hire, linen purchase, managed service and cleanroom laundry. It runs from 21 November 2024 to 20 November 2028 and is a traditional framework, not a DPS.
Context & Use Case
Public bodies use large volumes of linen, with real sustainability challenges from losses, logistics and energy use. Buyers use the framework to send their own linen for washing, hire linen from a supplier, buy new stock, hand the whole service to a managed provider, or source specialist cleanroom laundry. Call-offs are by further competition or direct award.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Wash and return Lot 2: Linen hire Lot 3: Linen purchase Lot 4: Managed service Lot 5: Cleanroom laundry
Lots
Lot 1: Wash and return Lot 2: Linen hire Lot 3: Linen purchase Lot 4: Managed service Lot 5: Cleanroom laundry
Who Can Apply
It suits commercial laundries, linen hire companies, linen manufacturers, managed service providers and cleanroom laundry specialists. Suppliers were appointed in the initial procurement and new applications are not accepted, so others must wait for the re-tender, likely around 20 November 2028.
Buyer Benefits
Buyers can choose the ownership model that fits their budget, and the framework's emphasis on fewer delivery miles, lower water and energy use, and linen repair and recycling helps public bodies cut both cost and carbon. Opening the route to care homes, schools and emergency services widens its use beyond hospitals.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should prepare for further competitions with linen loss data, energy and water metrics and delivery plans. Others cannot join before 20 November 2028; win direct laundry contracts with public bodies now, build sustainability evidence on repair and recycling, and watch the SBS10503 page on the NHS SBS site for re-tender notices.
How Athena Can Help
For laundries on SBS10503, Athena's sustainability-led bid writing builds further competition responses around the sustainability measures buyers look for, from reduced logistics to repair and recycling, with pricing that reflects each ownership model.
If you are outside the framework, our public tender bidding help helps you win direct public sector laundry contracts now, and our framework entry roadmap prepares your case studies, policies and certificates for the 2028 re-tender.
