CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE – OFFICIAL JOURNAL

Section I: Contracting Authority

I.1)

Name, Address and Contact Point(s)

I.2)

Type of contracting Authority and Main Activity or Activities

Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local sub-divisions National or federal agency/Office Regional or local Authority Regional or local Agency/Office Body governed by public law European Institution/Agency or International Organisation

General public services Defence Public order and safety Environment Economic and financial affairs Health Housing and community amenities Social protection Recreation, culture and religion Education

Section II: Object of the Contract

II.1)

Description

II.1.1)

Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority

The provision of Histopathology Reporting services.

II.1.2(a))

Type of works contract

II.1.2(b))

Type of supplies contract

II.1.2(c))

Type of service contract

II.1.2)

Main site or location of works, place of delivery or performance

Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster.

II.1.3)

This notice involves a framework agreement

II.1.4)

Short description of the contract or purchase(s)

The Histopathology service undertakes in excess of 28 000 histological samples per annum. Including

a. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue;

b. Non Gynaecological cytology: including fine needle aspirations, urines, body fluids.

To ensure prompt diagnosis of medical conditions and to support timely referral for treatment it is important the reporting turnaround times are in line with the proposed Royal College of Pathologists Key Performance Indicators.

Current situation

The majority of examinations requiring a pathologist report are currently undertaken by internal Trust consultant histopathologists, who offer a high-quality timely service when issuing reports. When we are unable to recruit histopathologists, in times of histopathologist's sick leave or during high demand for histopathology services, the backlog of reporting can increase and reporting turnaround time is lengthened, thus compromising patient care. In addition, extra lists to reduce waiting times and deal with the increased demand for examinations generate extra reporting, which at times can also create a backlog.

As Histopathology is a core component on the majority of patient pathways, any delays in reporting can effect patients' return appointments to their clinician — potentially compromising the 18 week RTT target.

The perceived benefits of a Remote Reporting Service are:

Clinical Benefits

– Capacity and flexibility to provide a first class histopathology service when absentee levels are high, in instances of annual leave and when there are vacant posts.

– Meet or exceed 18 weeks RTT target.

– In house Histopathologists able to prioritise clinical lists during periods of annual leave.

– Any back log of reporting would be identified.

– Extra additional lists would be reported at a set/known cost.

– Auditable Quality Assurance.

II.1.5)

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

II.1.6)

Contract covered by the government procurement agreement (GPA)

II.2)

Total final value of the contract(s)

II.2.1)

Total final value of the contract(s)

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)

Type of procedure

IV.1.1)

Type of procedure

IV.2)

Award criteria

IV.2.1)

Award criteria

IV.2.2)

An electronic auction has been used

IV.3)

Administrative information

IV.3.1)

File reference number attributed by the contracting authority

IV.3.2)

Previous publication(s) concerning the same contract

Other previous publications

Section V: Award of contract

Contract No:

V.1)

Date of contract award:

V.2)

Numbers of offers received:

V.3)

Name and address of economic operator to whom the contract has been awarded

V.4)

Information on value of contract

V.5)

The contract is likely to be subcontracted

Short description of the value/proportion of the contract to be subcontracted

Section VI: Complementary Information

VI.1)

Contract related to a project and/or programme financed by community funds?

VI.2)

Additional Information

VI.3)

Procedures for appeal

VI.3.1)

Body responsible for appeal procedures

Body responsible for mediation procedures

VI.3.2)

Lodging of appeals

The contracting authority will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar days standstill period at the point of information on the decision to award the contract is communicated to bidders in accordance with Regulation 32A of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. Any bidder wishing to appeal the decision to award the contract, or after the award of the contract, appeal the award, shall have the rights as set out in Part 9 of the Public Contract Regulations.

VI.3.3)

Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained

VI.4)

Dispatch date of this Notice