Planning

Hepatitis C National Testing Portal

  • NHS England

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2021/S 000-020347

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-02d6ea

Published 19 August 2021, 3:12pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

NHS England

Quarry House

Leeds

LS2 7UE

Contact

Anita Pannu

Email

anita.pannu@nhs.net

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.england.nhs.uk//

Buyer's address

https://www.england.nhs.uk//

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

http://health.atamis.co.uk

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

Hepatitis C National Testing Portal

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85323000 - Community health services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Hepatitis C programme is aiming to achieve elimination in England by the WHO target of 2030 and has a UK government ambition to achieve this by 2025. There are 22 Operational Delivery Networks (ODNs) covering England who are responsible for case finding and treating people with Hepatitis C. At risk groups have been identified and are being prioritised for remote (at home) testing and treatment services. , However they all have different user needs, digital capability and understanding of Hepatitis C. These groups need to be able to order tests, receive results, treatment and have any at risk contacts traced to prevent spread of infection. In order to ensure these user groups receive testing in a timely manner, a discovery needs to be undertaken and different solutions need to be designed and tested

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £1,500,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services
  • 85111800 - Pathology services
  • 48000000 - Software package and information systems

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKI - London
Main site or place of performance

Leeds

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The following service is to be procured:a) Web portal to allow people at risk to order a postal HCV test, with lab processing and results notification system. b) Clinic booking via the web portal to allow Hepatitis C positive people to access treatment (includes community outreach clinics and van visits). c) Contact tracing i) to allow people to anonymously notify others via the portal that they have been inadvertently exposed e.g. by autogenerated text and e-mail ii) by suitably experienced members of staff gathering contacts from the person diagnosed with Hepatitis C and following up the ‘contacts’ to offer Hepatitis C screening within a set protocol (e.g. 4 attempts to contact over 2 months) Ideally one company is required to support all 3 elements and will be required to have: 1) Digital capability to produce and manage the web site content and electronic ordering process for the HCV testing. 2) A robust process to procure and post the HCV tests. 3) Contracts in place with a suitable laboratory who can deliver turnaround times for the HCV testing of 72 hours. 4) Digital capability to support the clinic booking software and capacity to liaise with 22 ODNs (NHS Trusts) who will have a range of existing clinic software.5) Existing experience in contact tracing methodology and expertise.6) Capability to produce weekly key performance metrics e.g. number of people ordering swabs, numbers sent out, numbers positive and negative in the laboratory, number of anonymous contacts sent, number of people utilising contact tracing, etc. 7) Extensive knowledge and experience of BBV infectious diseases as a minimum a company who can offer HCV antibody testing is acceptable with lab processing.

two.2.14) Additional information

NHS England are seeking Expressions of Interest from Suppliers capable of meeting the requirement as part of development of the procurement strategy.Please register your interest by registering on the NHS England Atamis Portal by 12pm on Monday 6th September.Further detail on how to use the portal is provided below.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

20 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: No


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

The portal can be accessed here: https://health-family.force.com/login?1) Click on the ‘Sign-Up’ button to create an account as needed.2) Register for the relevant opportunity once logged in: ‘Hepatitis C National Testing Portal'3) You can submit questions through the messaging function in the system.We will contact suppliers after the 6th September to request any further information needed to progress the procurement strategy.