Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Blood and Transplant
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
Contact
Jo Murphy
Telephone
+44 1179212718
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK11 - Bristol, City of
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
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
Offsite Storage of Liquid Nitrogen Vessels
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 63726300 - Vessel storage services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority in England, with responsibilities across the United Kingdom for organ donation and transplantation. Our core purpose is to ‘save and improve lives’ through the provision of a safe and reliable supply of blood components, solid organs, stem cells, tissues and related services to the NHS, and to the other UK Health Services where directed.
NHSBT is required to store human tissue and cells for human application, research and IVD products in vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels. Where facilities are available, storage is carried out at NHSBT sites. In some cases, there is insufficient storage space so NHSBT has a requirement to store some cryostorage vessels permanently off site. There is also a requirement to have in place a contingency plan to transfer cryostorage vessels off site for temporary storage in emergency situations.
NHSBT is looking to award a Framework Agreement for the Provision of external storage of liquid nitrogen vessels containing human tissue and cells for human application.
Liquid nitrogen vessels will need to be collected from their existing storage sites located across England and transported to the service providers premises which must be HTA licensed to store and distribute human tissues and cells for human application under the Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007.
The temperature of liquid nitrogen vessels must be continually monitored, with records provided to demonstrate that products they contain remain below -150C at all times.
The service provider will also be required to locate cryopreserved products from the cryostorage vessels and deliver to NHSBT sites in a dry shipper, upon request.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £2,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
• HTA licensed to store and distribute human tissues and cells for human application under the Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007.
• All ventilation systems in the liquid nitrogen store must comply with British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) code of practice Guidance Note G11 and HSE guidance.
• Immediately accommodate 80 liquid nitrogen vessels measuring up to 1.2m in diameter, including providing transportation from their existing location in Nottingham .
• Transport and accommodate up to 35 cryostorage vessels, with up to 72 hours’ notice, during times of emergency.
• Collect and transport cryostorage vessels to and from NHSBT sites, including providing evidence of cold chain.
• Locate and deliver cryopreserved products from the liquid nitrogen vessels to NHSBT sites upon request using a dry shipper. This would normally be with a minimum of 3 days’ notice, although products may be required within 24 hours in times of emergency.
• Products must be maintained below -150C at all times. The service provider must provide temperature records to NHSBT to demonstrate cold chain during transit.
• Liquid nitrogen must be fitted with temperature sensors, with staff available to attend alarms 24 hours / day.
• Provision of sufficient storage space to enable NHSBT future cryostorage expansion, estimated to be an additional 20-30 cryovats during the term of the Framework Agreement.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 August 2024
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