Managed Service Contract for Berkshire Surrey Pathology Services for the Provision of Blood Sciences, Virology and Immunology Services

The Contract agreement will be let for a term of SEVEN (7) YEARS ONLY with the option to extend for further periods, provided that the total term of the agreement does not exceed FOURTEEN (14) YEARS. The Awarding Authority wishes to establish the Most Economically Advantageous Tender ("MEAT") for the Contract.

It is intended that this procurement will be a competitive dialogue. Dialogue will focus on key issues where the Authority is not able to objectively define the technical, financial or legal requirements of the service. The dialogue will be carried out in stages.

The contract aims to deliver the vision of BSPS to place Pathology at the forefront of healthcare delivery and to bring added value to patients and users.

Growth and innovation are key strategic objectives for BSPS. By growing, we can invest, and by investing we can be innovative. We intend to grow by expanding our repertoire of services and by attracting new customers through what we do and how we do it. We have a strong desire to be innovative. We want to develop ways in which we deliver Pathology services that truly are of greater benefit to patients and users (added value) - new ways of accessing tests and results; more meaningful information about diagnosis and how to interpret results; better use of existing and developmental tests to shape care pathways for improved patient and user experience; partnering with organisations to translate novel ideas and research & development activity into practical use for patients and clinicians

The managed service will be subject to on-going review and development by BSPS to take note of emerging best practice and advances in approach throughout the life of the service. There is a clear expectation that the service provider will work closely with the BSPS and strive to continuously improve service delivery, embrace innovation and provide a flexible service which can readily respond to changing needs.

Providers will need to show their understanding of immediate and long term requirements of both the NHS and the pathology industry, with continual improvement and underpinned by best practice. BSPS Pathology are seeking partners to help deliver BSPS's vision to include but not limited to such services as lean, service improvements, horizon scanning.

The objectives of a new Histology service are:

a) To deliver leading pathology innovation

b) Ensure a planned and reactive maintenance programme, that ensures uptime of equipment

c) Provide a regular service programme on all pathology equipment across all sites comprising BSPS Pathology

d) Improved logistics & material management on stock control, stock taking, ordering, deliveries

e) Improved capacity and resilience across all sites

f) Timely implementation of software and interface upgrades

g) Maximise the educational, learning and innovation

This will enable and ensure service provision, expansion and development, supporting the Trusts' strategic development for the services commissioned and delivered to the customers of BSPS.

The quality expectations of pathology services are increasing and accreditation requirements, both statutory and mandatory, are becoming much more stringent. This will continue and suppliers will need to assist services in meeting standards as they are implemented. BSPS currently operates a number of quality measures as part of its governance standards and for on-going service quality review. These measures include assessment by external independent assessors against National, European or Quality Management standards including ISO15189, BSQR (2005), HTA, PHE and others. In addition there are an extensive number of operational key performance indicators around service provision including sample turnaround times.

Full details are available in the Bravo eTendering portal as described in this Notice. The Authority reserves the right not to award the opportunity or to award only part (or a different arrangement) of the opportunity described in this notice.