Pathology services

Tender description

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (‘ANHSFT’) is the contracting authority on behalf of Integrated Laboratory Solutions LLP, (the ‘Laboratory LLP’) created in February 2016 as a collaboration between Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (‘BTHFT’) and ANHSFT in order to deliver fully integrated pathology services to ANHSFT, BTHFT and surrounding communities. ANHSFT is seeking a contractor to provide a Fully Managed Pathology Service contract (the ‘Contract’). The Contract includes (but is not limited to) the procurement and supply of pathology equipment (analysers, laboratory tracking and sample management systems, associated software, reagents, consumables and associated small scale equipment) to undertake a range of tests that meet the performance and availability requirements, the provision of user training and expert safety management, the supply of on-going managed equipment maintenance, replacement and renewal to ensure required performance and availability outcomes are achieved providing a high quality cost-effective fully accredited and regulatory compliant pathology service. The Procurement will be undertaken in two key phases, Phase 1 will be primarily focused on ensuring a pathology service is available to meet the needs of BTHFT by the installation and implementation of suitable equipment, IT connectivity and interfacing plus all ancillary services mainly on the BTHFT site, with all enabling works, equipment and method validation and verification and all training ready for anticipated go-live on or about 1.1.2017. Within phase 1 there will also be the requirement to provide certain modalities on the ANHSFT site. From go-live of phase 1 it is a requirement that the proposed solutions on the BTHFT site provides harmonisation of common basic technology, test methodology, software, IT connectivity and provides equivalency of results with existing solutions already in-situ on ANHSFT site. Phase 2 is the longer term 3-5 year incorporation of ANHSFT activity not included at phase 1 and on expiry of legacy contracts leading to complete integration of workforce, IT infrastructure equipment and results output. During the term of the resulting contract, the Laboratory LLP reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the service to reflect any changes within the Trusts. Suppliers interested in providing the service must either be capable of providing a complete service with scalable flexibility and the capacity and willingness to work with, and fully manage, any third party suppliers. ANHSFT wishes to award a single Contract for the service. The Contract will be for a period of 15 years with an option for the LLP to extend the Contract up to a further 5 years. Tenders must be valid for 4 months from the date stated for receipt of tender. Please see section VI.3) for further important information.