Workflow for NHS Labs delivering SCID and SMA ISEs (SPOT-it Methodology)

Tender description

This is a notice of intention to make an award in respect of the Service pursuant to the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) Process for the services of three SPOT-it Methodology Screening Labs, via direct award as part of the delivery and implementation of the ongoing NHS Newborn Blood Spot in-service evaluation (ISE) for Severe Combined Immuno-Deficiency (SCID), with the addition of the ISE for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), as recommended by the UK NSC.<br/><br/>For the avoidance of doubt, this is an intention to award notice. A notice of the confirmation of the award of each contract will be issued once they are signed.<br/><br/>Pursuant to the NHS Newborn Blood Spot in-service evaluation (ISE) for Severe Combined Immuno-Deficiency (SCID) contracts, with the addition of the ISE for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the providers are to provide the following functions:<br/><br/>• Specialist scientific and clinical workforce required to deliver assurance, quality oversight, and programme reporting.<br/>• Laboratory capacity and turnaround requirements to support in‑service evaluation activity alongside existing SCID delivery.<br/>• Quality assurance and quality control processes, including maintenance of consistent methodologies, validation status, and reporting standards.<br/>• Information governance, data management, and secure data flows required to support national screening evaluation and reporting.<br/>• Programme management and coordination activity necessary to support continuity and comparability of in‑service evaluation outputs. Lot 1: Pursuant to the NHS Newborn Blood Spot in-service evaluation (ISE) for Severe Combined Immuno-Deficiency (SCID) contracts, with the addition of the ISE for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the providers are to provide the following functions:<br/><br/>• Specialist scientific and clinical workforce required to deliver assurance, quality oversight, and programme reporting.<br/>• Laboratory capacity and turnaround requirements to support in‑service evaluation activity alongside existing SCID delivery.<br/>• Quality assurance and quality control processes, including maintenance of consistent methodologies, validation status, and reporting standards.<br/>• Information governance, data management, and secure data flows required to support national screening evaluation and reporting.<br/>• Programme management and coordination activity necessary to support continuity and comparability of in‑service evaluation outputs.<br/><br/>The Commissioner intends to award contracts following the Most Suitable Process to 3 providers who are existing providers. This is an expansion of existing services which, under PSR, constitutes a new service.<br/><br/>The services will start on 1st April 2026 and the initial period will run until 31st March 2028 with an option to extend for up to a further 1 year.<br/><br/>This procurement exercise will utilise the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) award process via the NHS Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations.<br/><br/>The sourcing decision was taken in line with the Provider Selection Regime. The Basic Criteria were assessed and confirmed as met. A Most Suitable Provider approach was applied to secure continuity of specialist in service evaluation activity using established providers and methodologies<br/><br/>The Authority evaluated providers against five mandatory key criteria:<br/><br/>Quality and innovation 60%<br/>Value 20%<br/>Integration, collaboration and service sustainability 10%<br/>Improving access and reducing inequalities and facilitating choice 5%<br/>Social value 5%.<br/><br/>Existing break and exit clauses are retained and relied upon in the general conditions to manage risk and affordability. These provisions provide NHS England with the ability to vary or exit the arrangement should the national screening policy, service configuration, or delivery models change, thereby mitigating the financial risk associated with the increased contract value.