Scheduled air transport services

Tender description

The BBMR is a division of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). The Northern Ireland and Scottish Blood Transfusion Services are participants in the service provided by the BBMR. NHSBT Hospital Services department located in Tooting, London, is responsible for safe storage, packaging and distribution of human blood and blood components, predominately in the London and South-East region however this can at times be extended to international shipments. Expressions of interest are required from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers for the provision of International Courier Service for Diagnostic Samples, Starting Material and Blood/Components. To establish a national contract to transport blood samples/blood/components and starting material from a UK address specified by NHSBT to a designated international testing laboratory, specialist healthcare or manufacturing facility. Occasionally samples/blood/components may need to be transported from an international collection point to a UK specified address. The total annual volume is expected to be an estimated 500 samples per year for BBMR. The number of samples may increase or decrease. For blood/components, it is estimated that a maximum of two containers will be shipped at any one time containing a maximum of ten red cell units. Occasionally, BBMR may require different shipping containers at the same pick up point; for example, one container validated for material shipment at refrigerated temperature and another validated to ship at the ‘room temperature’ range. On an as required basis this service may also be required to bring samples or components into the United Kingdom and any service requirements and costs will be as agreed when booking these jobs. NHSBT Hospital Services require collection, transportation and safe delivery of final state blood/blood components intended for immediate therapeutic use.