Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland) ("NSS")
Gyle Square (NSS Head Office), 1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9EB
UK
Telephone: +44 7804475952
E-mail: michael.walker3@nhs.scot
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.nss.nhs.scot/browse/procurement-and-logistics
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA11883
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
NHS Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) Cell Therapy eSolution
Reference number: NP609823
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland or NSS) (“NSS”), acting through its directorate the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (“SNBTS”), is undertaking the procurement of two electronic eSolutions that will allow onboarding of novel cell therapy projects from research centres, facilitating project development and eventual translation into a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environment. The two eSolution systems between them will encompass five Phases across an entire product life cycle of an Advanced Therapeutic from development through to clinical use.
System 1 will include onboarding of research documentation, development, and initial stages of technology transfer (Phase 1 and Phase 2).
System 2 will include the final stages of technology transfer into GMP validation, batch manufacture and have report producing capabilities to allow for quality approval then release/certification for patient use (Phase 3, 4 and 5).
The solutions must be provided using a Software as a Service (SaaS) model.
Further information can be found within the Invitation to Tender (ITT) and appendices located on PCS-Tender.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
System 1
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland or NSS) (“NSS”), acting through its directorate the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (“SNBTS”), is undertaking the procurement of two electronic eSolutions that will allow onboarding of novel cell therapy projects from research centres, facilitating project development and eventual translation into a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environment. The two eSolution systems between them will encompass five Phases across an entire product life cycle of an Advanced Therapeutic from development through to clinical use.
System 1 will include onboarding of research documentation, development, and initial stages of technology transfer (Phase 1 and Phase 2).
The solution must be provided using a Software as a Service (SaaS) model.
Further information can be found within the Invitation to Tender (ITT) and appendices located on PCS-Tender.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 75
Price
/ Weighting:
25
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
System 2
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
Main site or place of performance:
Scotland
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland or NSS) (“NSS”), acting through its directorate the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (“SNBTS”), is undertaking the procurement of two electronic eSolutions that will allow onboarding of novel cell therapy projects from research centres, facilitating project development and eventual translation into a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environment. The two eSolution systems between them will encompass five Phases across an entire product life cycle of an Advanced Therapeutic from development through to clinical use.
System 2 will include the final stages of technology transfer into GMP validation, batch manufacture and have report producing capabilities to allow for quality approval then release/certification for patient use (Phase 3, 4 and 5).
The solution must be provided using a Software as a Service (SaaS) model.
Further information can be found within the Invitation to Tender (ITT) and appendices located on PCS-Tender.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 75
Price
/ Weighting:
25
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2023/S 000-020887
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 1
Contract No: NP609823
Title: System 1
A contract/lot is awarded:
No
V.1 Information on non-award
The contract/lot is not awarded
Other reasons (discontinuation of procedure)
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 2
Contract No: NP609823
Title: System 2
A contract/lot is awarded:
No
V.1 Information on non-award
The contract/lot is not awarded
Other reasons (discontinuation of procedure)
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Cyber Security:
Bidders must complete the CSPST as detailed within the ITT. It is vital that Bidders leave sufficient time to complete the CSPST ahead of the submission deadline.
Fair Work Practices:
The Public Sector in Scotland is committed to the delivery of high quality public services and recognises that this is critically dependent on a workforce that is well-rewarded, well-motivated, well-led, has access to appropriate opportunities for training and skills development, diverse and engaged in decision making. These factors are also important for workforce recruitment and retention, and thus continuity of service. Public Bodies in Scotland are adopting fair work practices, which include:
- a fair and equal pay policy that includes a commitment to supporting the living wage, including, for example being a living wage accredited employer;
- clear managerial responsibility to nurture talent and help individuals fulfil their potential, including for example, a strong commitment to modern apprenticeships and the development of Scotland's young workforce;
- promoting equality of opportunity and developing a workforce which reflects the population of Scotland in terms of characteristics such as age, gender, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation and disability;
- support for learning and development;
- stability of employment and hours of work, and avoiding exploitative employment practices, including for example no inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts;
- flexible working (including for example practices such as flexi-time and career breaks) and support for family friendly working and wider work life balance;
- support progressive workforce engagement, for example Trade Union recognition and representation where possible, otherwise alternative arrangements to give staff an effective voice.
In order to ensure the highest standards of service quality in this Agreement we expect contractors to take a similarly positive approach to fair work practices as part of a fair and equitable employment and reward package. Bidders must describe how they will commit to fair work practices for workers (including any agency or subcontractor workers) engaged in the delivery of the Agreement.
(SC Ref:795698)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Sheriff Court House
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
Economic operators should approach the contracting authority in the first instance. However, the only formal remedy is to apply to the courts:
An economic operator that suffers, or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
08/04/2025