Ambient Voice Technology ("AVT") Solutions

All General Medical Services (GMS) Providers in Wales;

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board;

Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board;

Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board;

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Local Health Board;

Health Education and Improvement Wales (a Special Health Authority);

Hywel Dda University Local Health Board;

Powys Teaching Local Health Board;

Swansea Bay University Local Health Board;

Velindre University NHS Trust;

Digital Health and Care Wales (a Special Health Authority)

Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust;

Public Health Wales NHS Trust;

The Welsh Ministers;

or any Contracting Authority (as defined in the Procurement Act 2023) that may replace or succeed them in the exercise of their functions.

This procurement establishes a multi-supplier Open Framework Agreement in accordance with section 49 of the Procurement Act 2023. Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) will act as the Framework Operator on behalf of eligible Participating Authorities across NHS Wales, including Local Health Boards, NHS Trusts, Special Health Authorities, General Medical Services (GMS) providers and other eligible contracting authorities identified in the tender documents.

The Framework Agreement will maintain a pre-qualified list of suppliers capable of providing Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) solutions and associated services. There is no limit on the number of suppliers that may be appointed to the Framework, provided they satisfy the conditions of participation and achieve the minimum evaluation threshold specified in the procurement documents.

Call-Off Agreements may be awarded by Participating Authorities using the framework selection methodology set out in the Framework Agreement and procurement documents. Supplier selection will be undertaken through the application of pre-evaluated framework scores and locally determined weighting criteria, enabling Participating Authorities to identify the Most Advantageous Tender without undertaking a further competitive procurement process.

The Open Framework will be re-opened in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The first re-opening event will occur at least once within three years of the award of the first framework iteration, with subsequent re-opening events taking place at least once during each five-year period following the award of the next framework iteration. Re-opening events will permit the admission of new suppliers and allow existing framework suppliers to refresh their submissions where applicable.

The Framework Operator reserves the right to amend evaluation criteria, scoring methodology and weightings at future re-opening events, provided such changes are clearly communicated and applied equally to all bidders.

The Framework Agreement will operate for an initial term of four years with the option to extend for a further period of up to four years. No iteration of the Open Framework will continue beyond eight years from the award of the first Framework Agreement.

Known Risk: The estimated Framework value is based on current market pricing assumptions and anticipated utilisation levels at the time of publication. Actual expenditure may exceed the published estimate due to contractually permitted RPI-linked price adjustments during the Framework term. This risk relates solely to the operation of the agreed indexation provisions and does not reflect any anticipated change in scope, requirements, volume, or modification of the Framework Agreement. The estimated value remains a reasonable and proportionate estimate based on the information available at the start of the procurement.