FOI – 2025-3219 Quantum Pharmaceuticals Limited (HTML)

Date received – 09 December 2025 | Date responded – 12 January 2026

Request

In accordance with NSS’s duty of transparency owed to Quantum, and in order to allow Quantum to better assess the apprehended breaches outlined above, we would ask that NSS provide a substantive explanation and any documents showing an explanation of the following:

6.1.1 What were the circumstances that prompted the Clinical Advisory Panel’s review of the specification after the deadline for the submission of tenders?

6.1.2 What was the rationale for changing the delivery requirement in the Specification?

6.1.3 Does NSS agree with Quantum, that delivery timescales have or may have a corresponding impact on unit prices?

6.1.4 Did NSS consider affording bidders the opportunity to submit revised tenders on the basis of the updated Specification?

6.1.5 Why did NSS not do so?

6.1.6 Did any of the successful Framework Participants submit qualified tenders or tenders that were subject to certain assumptions as regards the delivery requirement?

Response

I refer to your freedom of information request that we received on 09 December 2025 requesting the following information.

We have now completed the search of our records and can provide you with the following information:

6.1.1 What were the circumstances that prompted the Clinical Advisory Panel’s review of the specification after the deadline for the submission of tenders?

During the course of the procurement and evaluation process, NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) identified internal questions regarding aspects of the specification, including the delivery requirements. This prompted NSS to refer those aspects to the Clinical Advisory Panel for review as part of its internal assurance and governance processes. The procurement was subsequently discontinued prior to award.

6.1.2 What was the rationale for changing the delivery requirement in the Specification?

As part of internal governance and assurance during the procurement process, NSS reviewed elements of the specification, including the stated delivery requirement. During the exercise, bidders were notified that the delivery requirement was amended from five days to ten days. The procurement was subsequently discontinued prior to award and no amended specification formed part of a concluded procurement.

6.1.3 Does NSS agree with Quantum, that delivery timescales have or may have a corresponding impact on unit prices?

Under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act, 2002 (FOISA) an organisation does not have to provide that information if it does not hold it. NSS does not hold any information constituting an agreed position or statement on this matter.

6.1.4 Did NSS consider affording bidders the opportunity to submit revised tenders on the basis of the updated Specification?

NSS can confirm we did not request any revised tenders.

6.1.5 Why did NSS not do so?

This is because the decision was taken to discontinue the procurement prior to award.

6.1.6 Did any of the successful Framework Participants submit qualified tenders or tenders that were subject to certain assumptions as regards the delivery requirement?

NSS can confirm that no suppliers were appointed and no framework agreement was entered into, as the procurement exercise was abandoned prior to award.

I trust you will find the information of assistance and if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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If you require any further information, please contact the Associate Director Governance and Board Services (Board Secretary) within 40 working days of the date of this correspondence.

Contact

Address

If after a review you are still unhappy, you also have the right to apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner, who can be contacted at Kinburn Castle, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS, or via their application form.

National Services Scotland (NSS) is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. You can view all FOI responses within our FOI Publications repository.