Tender

NHS Scotland Assure Research Service Commissioning Partner

  • The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland) ("NSS")

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2021/S 000-016212

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-02bac6

Published 12 July 2021, 12:45pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland) ("NSS")

Gyle Square (NSS Head Office), 1 South Gyle Crescent

Edinburgh

EH12 9EB

Contact

Kris Lindsay, Head of Procurement

Email

kris.lindsay@nhs.scot

Telephone

+44 1312757454

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM - Scotland

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.nss.nhs.scot/browse/procurement-and-logistics

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA11883

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html

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://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html

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

NHS Scotland Assure Research Service Commissioning Partner

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73110000 - Research services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The NHS Scotland Assure Research, Development & Innovation Service seeks to award a contract for a lead agency to support the assessment, management and administration of a portfolio of research projects. The successful bidder will be expected to support the assessment of calls alongside NHS Scotland Assure and facilitate and manage associated research projects, in alignment to specific research needs and priorities as defined by NHS Scotland Assure. The successful bidder will ensure the implementation of appropriate oversight and governance structures and processes for research commissioning and management; inclusive of overall responsibility for the administration and management of agreed third party funds.

The NHS Scotland Assure Research, Development and Innovation service is a service whose remit is to achieve a coordinated research portfolio, supporting the development of evidence-based guidance and research, to deliver safe healthcare environments that are free from avoidable risk. Further to the above, the service will seek to ensure that the most up to date and robust research is translated into practice as new and emerging evidence become available.

The service will share best practice and changes in standards/models for the built environment (as detailed in the scope below) across the world to inform and learn from guidance and capital projects. Alongside identification, prioritisation and coordination of research areas and activities the service will cultivate and sustain international connections with built environment and IP&C subject matter experts, healthcare providers, academia and research institutions.

The service will commission, tender and disseminate research worldwide whilst working alongside other NHS Scotland Assure services (e.g. Assurance and Guidance) to identify priority research needs and ensure they are aware of, and respond to, findings of published research as it becomes available. This will not only support NHS Scotland Health Boards to increase their knowledge to manage built environment risks, but will also ensure Scotland is recognised internationally as an expert in the field.

The scope of research areas includes, but is not limited to;

- Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of water systems including drainage-

- Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of Ventilation systems

- Pathogens, the microbiome, AMR, transmission risks and burden of disease in the hospital environment

- Hospital design including size and single room provision; e.g. hand wash basin provision / waterless / surface design to reduce transmission

- The built environment post-pandemic and lessons learned from COVID-19

- Human factors/Ergonomics and Infection Prevention and Control in hospital design and the built environment and how it is used

- Climate change requirements and the unintended consequences on built environment risks

- The role of safety and harms in relation to medical gases, electrical systems and fire safety, and their impact on patient and staff safety in the hospital environment

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £4,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
  • 73100000 - Research and experimental development services
  • 73110000 - Research services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

This requirement comes under the scope of Research and development services as defined within Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 therefore the provisions of the regulations do not apply to this procurement process. However, to identify a suitable Research Partner the Authority has elected to conduct a light touch procurement process following the principles of transparency, equal treatment, non-discrimination, and proportionality.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Governance Procedures & Processes / Weighting: 35

Quality criterion - Name: Service Delivery Plan / Weighting: 35

Price - Weighting: 30

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

2 x 12 month optional extensions

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: Yes

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The estimated value of the contract may increase should additional funding streams become available.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required

Demonstratable experience in the following areas:

1. Research Commissioning & Management

2. Multidisciplinary Management & Working

3. Networking, Communication & Engagement


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2021/S 000-013139

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

10 September 2021

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

10 September 2021

Local time

12:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.3) Additional information

The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 19211. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343

The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:

Not applicable for research services

The Contracting Authority does not intend to include any community benefit requirements in this contract for the following reason:

This is not a regulated procurement as the scope of the contract is for Research Services.

(SC Ref:659185)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Sherriff Court House

27 Chambers Street

Edinburgh

EH1 1LB

Email

edinburgh@scotcourts.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1312252525

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

Economic operators should approach the contracting authority in the first instance. However, the only formal remedy is to apply to the courts:

An economic operator that suffers, or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.