Services provided by medical laboratories

Tender description

NHS England sought to commission Framework Agreements with multiple Framework Providers on behalf of its CCG authorities, to carry out testing for latent Tuberculosis (TB) infection. The procurement was split into a number of regional lots across England so as to provide maximum flexibility to both the Commissioner and bidders, based on the corresponding TB Control Region. NHS England on behalf of its Authority(s) anticipated that it would enter into a Framework Agreement with a maximum of 3 Framework Providers for each regional lot. The Collaborative Tuberculosis Strategy for England: 2015 to 2020 (‘the Strategy’) published in January 2015 by NHS England and Public Health England (PHE), set out approaches to be taken to support TB prevention, treatment and control. This includes the setting up of TB Control Boards to plan, oversee, support and monitor all aspects of local TB control. The Control Boards will have representation from CCGs, NHS England, Public Health England, local authorities, local TB service providers and others. However, the formal responsibility for commissioning NHS TB services will continue to rest with CCGs. LTBI can be diagnosed by a single, validated blood test (interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)), and is usually treated with antibiotics, preventing active TB disease in the future. Where patients' test results show that they are LTBI positive, treatment is offered via referral to an appropriate TB service. The service to be provided includes: — arrangements for the collection of the sample from the phlebotomy source — handling and processing within the specified time limits of the test assay being employed — the provision and analysis of the Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) test for identification of LTBI. — standard operating procedures for the laboratory analysis — interpretation and reporting and feedback of the results and: — the monitoring of quality and turnaround times. The framework duration will be for an initial period of 3 years, with the option to extend for a further period of 12 months. The service commencement date is anticipated to be during February 2015. The intention was to appoint providers to a number of regional framework agreements on the basis of a price per test that each provider sets out as part of the selection process, together with the meeting of specified quality criteria. The contracts that arise from the framework agreements will be held by lead CCGs within each TB Control Board area. Lead CCGs will have a wider set of responsibilities under the TB Strategy and are identified as part of wider implementation. CCGs will be able to select from any provider on the relevant regional framework agreement who has indicated that they are willing to provide services within the relevant Control Board area. Although NHS England has undertaken this procurement and made the award hereunder, it is intended that each regional Authority will enter into an individual contract with the successful Bidder on the basis of the terms and conditions of contract contained in the Invitation to Tender.