Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Solent NHS Trust
Highpoint Venue, Bursledon Road
Southampton
SO19 8BR
Contact
Commercial Team
Telephone
+44 3001233920
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ32 - Southampton
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to 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
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Testing and Kits
Reference number
C301145
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85111800 - Pathology services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Solent (known as the lead provider) has been providing Level 3 Integrated Sexual Health and HIV services (SHHS) since 2012 and has recently been awarded a new contract from 2024 to 2031, with the option to extend for a further two years.
Solent’s services identify as core community provision across Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, and other parts of Hampshire.
As part of the core offer, Solent is commissioned to provide an online STI pathology testing and kits service to target patients that do not attend our services and/or patients with low risk symptoms that attend clinics.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £11,949,264
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Solent NHS Trust is looking to work with one pathology provider to deliver the Online STI and HIV testing and kits provision within Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, and Hampshire.
The aim of the service is to provide an online service that compliments and supports the overarching Level 3 Integrated SHHS delivered by Solent.
The main objectives are:
•To increase use of online services and remote pathways that improve scope for individuals to have their testing and advice needs met, where appropriate without face to face contact, including choice of delivery points for STI kits.
•To provide online STI self-sampling kits for asymptomatic residents aged 16 years and over, including samples from extra-genital sites for high risk groups.
•To provide online STI self-sampling kits for people with low risk symptoms aged 16 years and over, including samples from extra-genital sites for high risk groups
•To target high risk groups, such as asymptomatic men who have sex with men (MSM), commercial sex workers who are not currently accessing SHHS.
•To redirect low risk asymptomatic patients from level 3 SHHS clinical service, to online services, in order to enable a faster service for this client group.
•To signpost anyone who is high risk but eligible for online testing to Sexual Health Promotion.
•To provide a customer support function for clients to contact the Pathology provider for advice or support.
•To evaluate the service through feedback from users, to ensure on-going improvement of this service.
•To offer an STI testing service in a non-clinical area when working with vulnerable patients that do not have IT access or unable to receive postal kits to a home address.
•To ensure that all residents aged 15-24 are offered a Chlamydia screen and/or can access services a chlamydia test via a remote (home) testing pathway as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme with the aim to achieve the chlamydia diagnostic rate.
•To provide remote testing for test of cure for Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma genitalium.
The service will provide:
• Full STI and HIV testing for anyone over the age of 16 years. For people aged 15–24 years they will have an option to access Chlamydia only testing.
• Provision and dispatch of postal STI and HIV kits with options to post to requested address or national pick-up points.
• Results processing via a results management system that integrates with the services electronic patient record (Inform) and patient text messaging service.
• A service for Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, and Hampshire residents.
• There will be a separate ad hoc service available for anyone living outside of area.
The service model excludes:
• A requirement for the pathology provider to deliver an online algorithm to identify risk and required testing, as this is already provided as part of the pre-established SHHS Electronic Patient Record system.
The pathology provider will be able to provide full STI testing to include:
• HIV testing - 4th generation
• Syphilis
• Syphilis RPR for patient with past infection
• Hepatitis C IgG antibody
• Hepatitis B surface antigen
• Chlamydia
• Chlamydia Test of Cure
• Gonorrhoea
• Gonorrhoea Test of Cure
• Mycoplasma Genitalium for Test of Cure
• Extra genital site testing
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £11,949,264
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 April 2025
End date
31 March 2031
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
Conditions for participation are set out in the Instructions To Tender document and include Pass/Fail criteria relating to the successful bidder confirming they already hold the following accreditation/standards prior to service commencement (taking in to account contract start date).
- ISO 15189:2022 - Medical Laboratories: Requirements for Quality and Competence
- Meet UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations
- Registration with all and any regulators including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Information Commissioner
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria
As set out in the ITT documents
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
As set out in the ITT documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria
As set out in the ITT documents
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required
As set out in the ITT documents
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
As set out in the ITT documents
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: 2024/S 000-021503
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
18 November 2024
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
18 November 2024
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Solent NHS Trust
Highpoint Venue, Bursledon Road
Southampton
SO19 8BR
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Solent NHS Trust
Highpoint Venue, Bursledon Road
Southampton
SO19 8BR
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Solent NHS Trust
Highpoint Venue, Bursledon Road
Southampton
SO19 8BR
Country
United Kingdom