Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Blood and Transplant
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
Contact
Richard Athay-Hunt
richard.athay-hunt@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region 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
NHS
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Courier Services for Blood, Blood Products and Tissues
Reference number
C96519
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 64120000 - Courier services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Contract to provide courier services 24/7 365 days per year for blood, tissues, organs, ocular, cord blood and other items.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK1 - Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area
Main site or place of performance
Activity across the Untied Kingdom mainly on England mainland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
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.
In performing this essential activity, NHSBT engages with millions of people throughout the country and connects directly with more people daily than any other single part of the NHS. In addition to supplying the lifesaving products that are needed by NHS patients we are proud that our activities support the incredible altruism and generosity of our donors and bring communities together across the country. In these respects, NHSBT is unique.
We operate supply chains that are similar in nature to those found in the private sector but with characteristics which can only be found in other Blood services in other countries across the world. As a result, comparing and benchmarking our effectiveness with other national services is a fundamental part of our strategic process. Our ambition is simple - to be demonstrably the best service of our type in the world.
NHSBT is a complex organisation with several distinct strategic operating units that include:
• Blood Components - To deliver a modern, world-class blood service that provides a sustainable and dependable supply of blood components that meet all safety, quality, compliance and service standards as effectively as possible.
• Plasma for medicine - (PFM) is an exciting new type of donation which helps saves the lives of around 17,000 people in England a year.
• Organ Donation and Transplantation - To increase organ donation and transplantation rates across the UK and match world-class performance within the field.
• Tissues - To develop an ‘NHS Tissues’ organisation, for the overall benefit of the NHS, that can meet the present and future needs of NHS patients.
• Diagnostic Services - To ensure the clinically effective use of blood, organs and stem cells through the provision of high-quality diagnostic services.
• Stem Cells - To work with partners across the UK in the provision of an efficient and effective source stem cells for the treatment of UK patients and development of innovative cell therapies for NHS patients.
• Specialist Therapeutic Services - To become the NHS preferred provider of high quality, cost effective therapeutic apheresis services.
The supply chain within NHSBT is described as from ‘vein to vein’. Blood components are collected from donors (approx. 1.5 million whole blood donors and 10,000 platelet donors) through approximately 25 static national collection centres (Clinics) (primarily for platelets) and approx. 60 mobile donor teams. They collect each day across the country which results in 25-30,000 sessions per annum where the donations need to be collected and returned NHSBT main sites for processing, The blood components flow through manufacturing, stock holding units (SHUs) and to hospital blood banks, who are NHSBT’s end customers.
NHSBT is seeking to deliver significant efficiencies in the transportation of donated blood, blood products and associated services throughout the supply chain. The requirements are for a 3rd party carrier provision that will support this objective.
two.2.14) Additional information
Types of movements - see V1.3 for detail
Routine Deliveries
AdHoc Deliveries
Emergency Deliveries
Inter-Centre Transfers
Warehouse Deliveries
Booking management
Courier Services required
Same day
Next day express
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 February 2023
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
Types of movements
Session Collections Blood donation sessions are held daily at both fixed and mobile sites.
Three item types must be collected from each donation session:
• Blood
• Testing samples
Support items: clinical waste and session documentation.
Routine Deliveries
Timings of routine deliveries have been agreed between NHSBT and each of the major hospitals supplied. Hospitals have up to five routine deliveries per day, depending on their usage requirements and storage capacity. NHSBT actively serves approximately 250 hospitals from 14 stock holding units.
AdHoc Deliveries
In addition to their routine replenishment slots, hospitals can request ‘AdHoc’ deliveries. For example, a hospital that receives one routine delivery, at 10:00am, will request an ad hoc delivery if it expects that its stock levels are insufficient to last until the next routine re-supply arrives.
Emergency Deliveries
A hospital can raise an emergency blood supply request based on medical reasons, for example to meet an urgent and unexpected requirement based on an individual patient’s condition. These requests are also raised in OBOS, NHSBT vehicles making emergency deliveries generally use their ‘blue light’ capability. 3rd party couriers do not have emergency delivery exemption and cannot apply ‘blue light hardware, emergency services livery or exceed the road speed limits.
Inter-Centre Transfers
Hospital Service manages the overall stock levels of blood products at each Stockholding Unit and may request transfers between Stockholding Units to ensure that this is achieved.
Warehouse Deliveries
Various consumable items, some of which are temperature restricted, are used at each stage of the blood supply chain. Some 3rd party same day and next day movements are required.
Booking management
All 3rd party same day bookings should be managed 24/7 365 through an IT interface linked to the NHSBT transport management system with contingency phone booking capabilities through UK based operators.
Next day express bookings should be managed through an online booking platform with multiple user/account access with contingency phone booking capabilities through UK based operators
Courier Services required
Same day
• Same day dedicated vehicle - Small van (making up majority of requirements), medium and large van availability
• 30min collection from initial booking confirmation
• National and regional coverage
• Consignment tracking POB and POD minimum requirement
Next day express
• Next day express pre 09:00, Pre 12:00 and economy next day, palletised next day