Integrated Care Board (ICB) Procurement

Integrated Care Boards were established by the Health and Care Act 2022, replacing the previous Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) as the statutory NHS commissioning bodies in England. Each ICB is responsible for a defined geographical area and holds a substantial NHS budget, typically between one billion and five billion pounds, to plan and purchase health services for its population. There are 42 ICBs in England, each covering a defined geography ranging from densely urban areas like Greater Manchester to large rural geographies like Cornwall and Norfolk.

What is Integrated Care Board (ICB) Procurement?

ICBs commission a broad portfolio of services including primary care (GP services, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry), community health services (district nursing, health visiting, community therapy), mental health services, acute hospital care, specialised services, and health improvement programmes. The commissioning function involves market analysis, service specification, procurement, contract management, and performance monitoring.

For procurement specifically, ICBs operate under two overlapping regimes.

The Provider Selection Regime (PSR) applies to contracts for health care services to patients. Under the PSR, ICBs choose between three routes: direct award where a specific provider is the most suitable choice, continuation of an existing performing contract, or a competitive process where neither direct award route is appropriate.

The UK Procurement Act 2023 applies to goods, works, and non-health services contracts. ICBs must run compliant competitive processes for IT systems, estates works, management consultancy, and other services not covered by the PSR.

ICBs also operate within Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), which bring together NHS providers, local authorities, and other partners. Collaborative commissioning across system partners is an explicit expectation, meaning that some contracts are jointly procured with local authorities. This creates mixed-regime considerations where social care procurement rules interact with NHS commissioning frameworks.

Why it matters for bidders

ICBs are among the most important contracting authorities in the NHS for community and primary care services. The PSR's direct award mechanisms mean that a significant proportion of ICB contracts may not be publicly advertised through a competitive tender. Building relationships with ICB commissioning teams, demonstrating quality and integration credentials, and engaging during market engagement events are therefore commercially important activities alongside monitoring the Find a Tender Service for formal notices.

Voluntary sector and community providers should also be aware of the ICB duty to promote patient choice for applicable services, which creates a parallel qualification route alongside formal procurement.

Example

A community physiotherapy provider wishes to secure an ICB contract for musculoskeletal services in its area. It attends a market engagement event hosted by the ICB, submits a response to a Prior Information Notice for community therapies, and meets with the ICB commissioner to discuss population health needs. When the ICB decides to run a Route 3 competitive process under the PSR, the provider submits a detailed proposal weighted 60% on quality and integration and 40% on value. Its existing relationships and local presence contribute to a strong quality score.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ICBs are there in England?

There are 42 ICBs in England, each covering a defined geography. They range from densely urban areas like Greater Manchester and North East London to large rural geographies like Cornwall and Norfolk and the Isle of Wight.

Do ICBs procure for the whole Integrated Care System?

ICBs have their own statutory commissioning responsibilities, but they often act collaboratively within their Integrated Care System. Some contracts are jointly procured with NHS trusts, local authorities, or NHS England directly. Bidders should check which body is the named contracting authority in any particular procurement notice.

Are ICB contracts subject to EU procurement rules?

No. Following the UK's exit from the EU, ICBs operate under UK procurement law (the Procurement Act 2023 and the PSR) rather than EU Directive 2014/24/EU. EU suppliers may still bid for ICB contracts, subject to UK compliance requirements including relevant product certifications and registration with UK regulatory bodies.