Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland) (NSS)
1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB
Telephone
+44 1312756000
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
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
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
Market Engagement for Third-Party Contingency Support for Decontamination Services in Scotland
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 42924720 - Decontamination equipment
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The National Decontamination Collaborative Programme is seeking market feedback and information to inform potential future procurement of reserved third-party contingency support for decontamination services across Scotland’s 14 Central Decontamination Units (CDUs) reprocessing approximately 40 million instruments every year to service all Scotland’s hospitals.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Background:
The main objectives of NHSScotland’s decontamination services are:
-Clean, disinfect and sterilise Reusable Medical Devices (RMDs) to strict standards, set in national policy and guidance;
-deliver the correct set of products at the correct time and places, in accordance with agreement with service users e.g. theatre, clinics etc.
CDUs are required to comply with a range of legal and technical requirements, guidance, and documentation systems to process RMDs that are fit for purpose and reduce risks to patient safety. CDUs are registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (if applicable) and compliant with Medical Devices Regulations. They must operate their quality management system to BS 13485: 2021 and regulatory requirements. They are audited at least annually by an Approved body.
Scotland’s CDUs are facing increasing pressure to provide sufficient capacity during unplanned outages. Recent unplanned outages have disrupted service delivery and impacted patient care. There is currently not enough internal contingency processing capacity available to support Boards during such outages.
Purpose of this PIN:
This PIN is issued as part of a preliminary market consultation. It does not signify the start of a formal procurement process but aims to:
-Assess market capability to provide reserved capacity for processing approximately 1.5m re-usable medical devices per year.
-Identify suitably accredited suppliers with the reprocessing capabilities to support the range of services supplied by decontamination services
-Understand indicative costs for providing such contingency capacity.
-Invite innovative solutions and ideas to enhance the resilience of Scotland’s decontamination services through additional processing capacity.
Key Considerations:
-Frequency of contingency support requirement is variable and can’t be predicted. The number of un-planned outages tend to impact services for a period of 7 days up to 8 weeks.
-Capacity may also be used for increased workload, not just during planned and un-planned outages.
-The feedback will inform future strategy and potential procurement options.
Next Steps:
Interested suppliers are invited to express interest and provide relevant information, including:
-Capability statements
-Indicative cost information for such services
-Suggestions for service resilience and contingency planning
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
30 November 2025
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
Contact Information:
Responses and enquiries should be directed to - William McCulloch
Deadline for Responses: 30/11/2025
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=814261.
(SC Ref:814261)