Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Blood & Transplant
North Bristol Park
Filton, Bristol
BS34 7QH
Telephone
+44 1179217253
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Microbiology Serology Testing
Reference number
NHSBT1475
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71900000 - Laboratory services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This notice is related to, but supersedes, OJEU notice: 2020/S 198-481270, which requested that potential bidders of NHSBT’s tender for microbiology serology screening/testing of blood and non-blood donations register their interest such that the necessary Kit Evaluation Group (KEG) preparatory work can be completed.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £6,500,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 33124110 - Diagnostic systems
- 33124130 - Diagnostic supplies
- 33141625 - Diagnostic kits
- 33696500 - Laboratory reagents
- 33698100 - Microbiological cultures
- 48921000 - Automation system
- 85111800 - Pathology services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance
Filton and Manchester
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHSBT currently has a formal contractual arrangement in place for the microbiology serological screening/testing of blood and non-blood donations. The contract includes the supply of the mandatory and selective serology assays, consumables, instrumentation, uninterruptable power supply’s and software required for result management and interface(s) with host systems; including servers to support the IT infrastructure.
Mandatory testing is undertaken on all blood donations. The assays required include Hepatitis B (HBsAg), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV 1&2 Ab/Ag), Hepatitis C (anti-HCV) and syphilis antibodies and these tests are undertaken on high throughput automated equipment. Additional testing is also undertaken on select donations. These include testing for human T- lymphotropic virus (anti-HTLV), cytomegalovirus (anti-CMV), malarial antibody (anti-malaria), Hepatitis B antibodies (anti-HBc & anti-HBs) and Trypanosome cruzi (anti-T. cruzi). NHSBT also undertakes some alternative testing for blood donors when required. Additional assays for the following markers; HBsAg, anti-HIV1&2 Ag/Ab, anti-HCV, anti-syphilis and anti-HTLV would be required for approximately 3000 alternative tests per year, which are made up of a combination of these markers. Please note: Assays/test systems KEG approval of assays/systems must be obtained prior to tender. See OJEU notice: 2020/S 198-481270 for more information.
There is a requirement for automated instrumentation to enable high throughput testing of mandatory and discretionary testing for blood and non-blood donors, archiving and long-term storage of plasma samples as part of this contract. Instrumentation for sample sorting is also for consideration.
The NHSBT Microbiology Serology Testing contract has an annual value of circa £6.5m (Ex VAT) and approximately 1.6m donations are tested per annum across two Testing sites.
It is NHSBT's intention to engage with the market to gather detailed information about the market's capabilities. The format for this will be communicated to those that respond to this PIN. Virtual Supplier engagement days are due two-fold with a Webinar Monday 22nd February 2021 for NHSBT to present the project (a copy of the presentation will be sent ahead of the Webinar) and individual supplier presentation days to be held on the 24th and 25th of February 2021. If you are interested in this requirement, please email jess.allen@nhsbt.nhs.uk by no later than 1200 hours on Monday 8th February 2021. If you do not respond by this date your organisation will not be excluded from taking part in the forthcoming tender.
A subsequent Contract Notice relating to the future tender will be submitted for publication at the same time as the Invitation To Tender (ITT) is issued.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
13 September 2021
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes