Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme

NHS Scotland intends to procure a National Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme to support individuals identified as being at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. The programme will deliver a structured, evidence-based lifestyle intervention through a digital platform, including access to health coaching, peer support, and tools to support behaviour change and self-management.

The procurement is expected to be undertaken via a Restricted Procedure, with a single supplier appointed to a national framework. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) relates to NHS Scotland’s intention to tender for a National Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme.

The programme will identify individuals at risk of Type 2 Diabetes based on clinical indicators (including HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels) or a previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes. It will provide a tailored, nine-month, evidence-based lifestyle intervention aimed at reducing the risk of progression to Type 2 Diabetes.

The digital service will support Service Users via an application-based platform, providing access to trained health coaches, online peer support communities, and functionality to set, track, and monitor personalised health goals. This will include ensuring the service is culturally sensitive to local populations and flexible enough to meet the needs of users with diverse requirements, including appropriate language support.

Participants will be able to access the programme through multiple referral routes, including Primary Care (e.g. GP referral) and self-referral pathways. Current funding has been allocated to support up to 15,000 users over a three-year period.

The proposed framework will operate as a single-supplier arrangement and will also include provision for the delivery of a Hypertension Pathway for approximately 500 users per annum. Eligibility for the hypertension pathway will be based on a confirmed diagnosis of primary hypertension alongside a BMI ≥25 (or BMI ≥23 for minority ethnic groups).

Please Note: During the term of the Framework Agreement, NHS Scotland reserves the right, should funding become available, to increase the volume of service users (current estimate of 15000 over the initial 3-years of the Framework Agreement term) who may access the Programme. For example, additional purchases may be made which exceed the level of funding currently secured as a result of clinical and service outcomes and benefits which support wider adoption of the Programme.

The Authority also reserves the right to expand the scope of the service to include additional cohorts, pathways, or clinical indicators (for example, the inclusion of further at-risk populations identified through screening), which may increase overall demand under the Framework. The procurement is expected to be conducted using a Restricted Procedure, comprising two stages: Stage 1 Selection Stage (SPD Assessment): Suppliers will be required to complete and submit a Single Procurement Document (SPD).

This stage will assess bidders’ suitability to proceed and will include a combination of pass/fail criteria (e.g. mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds, economic and financial standing) and scored evaluation. As part of the SPD, the Authority will assess technical and professional ability, including responses to scored questions and requests for relevant examples of previous experience.

These responses will be weighted and scored to enable the Authority to evaluate capability and rank suppliers. A shortlist of the highest-ranking bidders will be invited to progress to Stage 2.

Stage 2 – Invitation to Tender (ITT): Only suppliers shortlisted at Stage 1 will be invited to submit a full tender. Bidders will be required to respond to a Statement of Requirements (SoR), setting out how they will deliver the contract, including proposed methodology, service delivery model, and pricing.

Tenders will be evaluated in accordance with the published award criteria, based on quality and price, to determine the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). Stage 1 is expected to commence mid to late August 2026, with Stage 2 anticipated to commence in early October 2026.

Additional information: This project is derived from the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) Pathway. This is an initiative focused on using technology to fast-track proven innovations into the healthcare frontline on a Once for Scotland basis. See link:https://www.nhscfsd.co.uk/our-work/innovation/accelerated...