Framework Agreement for the Provision of Medical Gas Cylinders including Nitric Oxide Medical Gas Therapy

Medical Gas and Nitric Oxide<br/>NHS London Procurement Partnership are preparing to develop a new Framework Agreement for the Provision of Medical Gas Cylinders including Nitric Oxide Medical Gas Therapy. This will replace two current framework agreements which are soon to expire, <br/><br/>

• The supply and rental of compressed medical gas cylinders and the provision of cylinder asset tracking systems <br/>
• Nitric Oxide Therapy. <br/><br/>Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust acts as the Contracting Authority on behalf of NHS London Procurement Partnership (NHS LPP) which is in collaboration with North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative, NHS London Procurement Partnership and East of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub. <br/><br/>NHS LPP are looking for input from Medical Gas suppliers to ensure that the framework is fit for purpose over the next four years. As a consequence, we are seeking responses from the marketplace to the following questions;<br/><br/>
• NHS organisations are now required to have to ‘explicitly evaluate’ social value when procuring products and services. A minimum overall weighting for social value of 10% of the overall score is mandated whenever any of the social value policy outcomes are included in the procurement. Can you advise areas which you are able to realistically achieve and how these would optimise the benefits to the wider global drivers? How would these areas be measured on a monthly/quarterly/annual basis?<br/><br/>
• What issues need to be considered in maintaining a robust supply, is there any support required to secure adequate materials to maintain patient safety?<br/><br/>
• Are you able to provide a robust cylinder tracking system that does not rely on manual scanning? An example of this would be the use of radio frequency identification. <br/><br/>
• We are planning to combine a provision of nitric oxide framework and medical gases with associated cylinder tracking systems framework in the same framework with separate lots? Please provide details of any potential benefits and drawbacks.<br/><br/>
• In your opinion, are the proposed lots shown below appropriate and fit for purpose? If not please provide details on the reason for your opinion. NHS LPP is proposing a 4 year term, do you think this is suitable? If no, please provide your observations and comments on this proposed Framework term?<br/><br/>Lot 1 Medical Gas Cylinders <br/>Lot 2 Nitric Oxide Medical Gas Therapy <br/>Lot 3 Cylinder tracking systems <br/><br/><br/>If we breakdown to the lots as specified above would this allow your organisation to provide a commercially viable bid? If not, please submit your alternative suggestions.<br/><br/>
• What other considerations should be given for a framework for medical gases with associated cylinder tracking systems and/or the provision of nitric oxide therapy?<br/><br/>In addition to the above all suppliers are invited to a Bidders Day webinar being held on 16th November to outline NHS LPP’s vision for the new Framework and discuss further the above. To register for this event, please RSVP to the email address below: [email protected]<br/><br/>Please could you submit suggestions by 5pm Friday 25th November 2022 to [email protected]. Please note that any submitted suggestions/comments will be treated according to the principles of transparency without favour to any one suppliers. However, NHS LPP are not committed to proceed with any of your suggestions/ comments. <br/>Your approval of this will be demonstrated by submitting a response.