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RM6397 Framework Announcement: Everything Recruitment Providers Need to Know

Business
Thea Phillips
August 6, 2026

The Government Commercial Agency (GCA) has announced RM6397 – Clinical and Non-Clinical Temporary and Permanent Staff, a new workforce framework that will replace the existing RM6281 and RM6277 agreements.

Bringing together clinical and non-clinical recruitment under a single framework, RM6397 is expected to become one of the UK's most significant public sector staffing opportunities, providing a compliant route for organisations to procure temporary, permanent, fixed-term and managed workforce solutions.

For recruitment agencies and workforce providers, early preparation will be essential. As a closed framework, suppliers will only have one opportunity to secure a place during the initial procurement process.

What is RM6397?

RM6397 is a 4-year framework being procured by the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) through the NHS Workforce Alliance.

Its purpose is to simplify workforce procurement by combining two existing staffing frameworks into a single agreement covering both clinical and non-clinical recruitment. This creates one compliant procurement route for a broad range of staffing requirements across the NHS and wider public sector.

The framework is expected to have an estimated value of £6 billion (excluding VAT) and will support organisations in sourcing temporary workers, permanent employees, fixed-term staff, independent contractors and fully managed workforce solutions.

Who Can Use the Framework?

Although RM6397 has been developed primarily for NHS organisations, it will also be available to a wide range of public sector buyers across the UK.

Eligible organisations are expected to include:

  • NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts
  • Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
  • Central Government departments
  • Local Authorities
  • Universities and Higher Education institutions
  • Charities
  • Blue Light organisations
  • Other public and third sector bodies.

This broad customer base means the framework has the potential to generate opportunities across numerous sectors, not solely healthcare.

What Services Will RM6397 Cover?

One of the biggest changes introduced by RM6397 is the breadth of workforce models available through a single agreement.

The framework is expected to cover:

  • Temporary agency staffing
  • Permanent recruitment
  • Fixed-term recruitment
  • Independent contractors
  • Neutral Vendor services
  • Master Vendor services
  • Managed workforce solutions
  • Outcome-based delivery models.

This flexibility enables contracting authorities to procure everything from individual placements through to fully managed recruitment programmes.

Proposed Lot Structure

The latest supplier engagement information outlines 12 proposed lots, designed to cover both specialist recruitment sectors and managed service models.

The proposed lots include:

  • Nursing and Midwifery
  • Medical Staffing
  • Allied Health Professionals, Health Science and Emergency Services
  • Social Care Staffing
  • Corporate Functions
  • IT Professionals and Digital Workers
  • Legal Services
  • Scientific, Technical and Clinical Coding
  • Estates, Facilities Management and Ancillary Staff
  • Permanent Recruitment
  • Neutral Vendor Managed Services
  • Master Vendor Managed Services.

While these remain subject to the final Invitation to Tender (ITT), they provide suppliers with an early indication of where opportunities are likely to sit.

Why RM6397 Matters for Recruitment Providers

Unlike previous frameworks, RM6397 combines multiple recruitment disciplines into a single procurement vehicle.

This means successful suppliers could gain access to opportunities across:

  • Clinical recruitment
  • Non-clinical recruitment
  • Temporary staffing
  • Permanent recruitment
  • Managed workforce solutions

The framework has also been designed to support both national and specialist providers, creating opportunities for organisations with expertise in specific sectors or geographic regions.

Preparing for the Tender

Although the final tender documents have not yet been published, suppliers can begin preparing now.

The NHS Workforce Alliance supplier briefing recommends focusing on:

Selecting the right lots

Assess which opportunities best align with your delivery capability, commercial objectives and customer base.

Gathering evidence

Identify contracts and case studies that demonstrate relevant experience and meet the proposed delivery thresholds.

Reviewing compliance

Ensure key certifications, insurance policies and organisational information are up to date before the ITT is released.

Developing your pricing strategy

Pricing is expected to form part of the scored evaluation, making early commercial planning particularly important.

Procurement Timeline

Current supplier guidance indicates the following timetable:

ITT Published - August 2026

Clarification Deadline - September 2026

Tender Submission -September 2026

Evaluation - Autumn 2026 - January 2027

Framework Award - February 2027

Framework Go Live - March 2027

These dates remain indicative until confirmed within the official procurement documents.

How Bid Writing Service Can Help

Preparing for a major framework submission takes time, planning and the right evidence.

At Bid Writing Service, we support recruitment providers throughout every stage of the process, including:

  • Framework strategy and lot selection
  • Bid planning and mobilisation
  • Evidence mapping
  • Case study development
  • Quality response writing
  • Social value responses
  • Compliance reviews
  • Pricing support
  • Final submission management

Whether you're applying to RM6397 for the first time or building on previous NHS Workforce Alliance experience, our team can help you prepare a compliant, compelling submission.

Get Ready for RM6397

RM6397 represents a significant opportunity for recruitment agencies looking to strengthen their presence within the public sector.

As a closed framework, preparation ahead of the ITT publication will be key. Suppliers that take the time now to review their evidence, refine their strategy and address compliance requirements will be in a stronger position once the competition opens.

If you're planning to bid for RM6397, Bid Writing Service can help you prepare every aspect of your submission, from initial planning through to final tender submission.

Get in touch with our team today to discuss how we can support your RM6397 framework application: info@bidwritingservice.com

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