Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Blood and Transplant
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
Contact
Aliya Azam
Telephone
+44 7471147810
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKK11 - Bristol, City of
National registration number
NHS Blood and Transplant
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
Other type
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Requirement for third party HHV-8 antibody screening of deceased organ donors
Reference number
C74421
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Universal screening for human herpes virus type 8 antibodies is to be added to the portfolio of tests required for deceased organ donor characterisation in the UK. Routine testing for all currently required markers will continue to be performed pre-donation, and on an urgent 24/7 basis by a network of 17 UK-wide NHS diagnostic laboratories. Donor samples will be sent by these laboratories by overnight DX delivery to the NHSBT Microbiology Services Laboratory (MSL) in London. MSL will separate samples on arrival, in readiness for transport to the third-party laboratory where HHV-8 testing will be done.
Given the intrinsic requirements of deceased organ donation, this testing is to occur in a centralised laboratory with results required in a clinically relevant and timely manner, as close as possible to the point of donation. Close and seamless liaison between MSL and the third-party laboratory will be essential.
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
NHSBT will require:
• Testing to be carried out by an UKAS accredited laboratory
• Testing to commence in the second half of September 2022, exact date tbc.
• Business continuity plan for this particular service to be provided by the testing laboratory in order to guarantee the provision of this essential testing
• Weekly sample numbers of between 20 and 40, with an average of 30 samples (subject to agreed change during the term of the contract), depending on organ donation activity.
• Receipt of samples from the Microbiology Laboratory Services Laboratory in Colindale, London every working day morning (Monday to Fridays except Bank Holidays).
• The ability to test plasma or serum
• Minimum of two assays for screening including detection of antibodies to lytic and latent HHV-8 antigens, with rationale for selection
• At least one assay must be CE marked
• Given the complexity of HHV-8 serology and to guarantee continued testing, it is desirable that other validated, alternative assays are available to complete the testing portfolio
• All assays in-use should be fully validated with provision of evaluation and validation reports
• A confirmatory testing pathway should be in place for screen reactive samples, and must include HHV-8 DNA detection
• Results to be returned to NHSBT electronically via a secure SFTP data file / transfer process
• Final reports on screen negative and screen reactive samples to be sent to NHSBT within 24-48 hours and 48-72 hours from receipt of the sample at the testing laboratory, respectively.
• Turnaround times (TAT); 90% of reports must be received within 3 working days of the sample arriving at the testing laboratory
• Contract term award will initially be 24 months with review after 12 months
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
29 July 2022
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
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Please note that this is not the commencement of a procurement process; a separate contract notice will be published to cover this requirement if the tender goes ahead.
Prospective suppliers will be invited to a virtual engagement event in due course.
Expressions of interest should be e-mailed to aliya.azam@nhsbt.nhs.uk by no later than 1200 hours on 2nd September 2022.
With your response, please include:
• Assay details
• Details of proposed testing schedule
• Confirmation of your ability to meet the above criteria
A subsequent contract notice relating to any future tender will be submitted for publication at the same time if an Invitation To Tender (ITT) is issued.