East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) have formed a joint venture for delivery of fully integrated pathology service, known as the Kent Pathology Partnership (KPP).
The Contracting Authority (EKHUFT host organisation) on behalf of KPP aims to have a pathology service that is integrated, maximises innovation and technology, and drives efficiencies and effectiveness. The Authority wishes to procure from a suitable, experienced and qualified provider a Pathology Managed Service. The Service Provider will provide services across two Centralised Service Laboratories (“CSL”) and associated Essential Service Laboratories (“ESL”). This will include (but is not guaranteed to, nor be limited to) the provision of new and replacement pathology automated and non-automated, pre/post analytical equipment, supply of reagents/consumables, maintenance, upgrades, interfacing and training. The system(s) must be capable of interfacing with the associated analysers and be capable of undertaking all processes from receipt of the sample through to an integrated sample archive. It is essential that equivalent analysers are provided for the ESL's to ensure consistency of results.
As a consequence, the services proposed to be provided in the contract will be across multiple acute hospital sites in Kent. The service will be subject to on-going review and development by the Authority and the Service Provider is to take note of emerging best practice and advances in approach throughout the life of the contract. There is a clear expectation that the service provider will work closely with the authority and strive to continuously improve service delivery, embrace innovation and provide a flexible service which can readily respond to the changing needs of the Authority and the NHS in the short and long term. The contracting authority reserve the right to add to, vary, reduce or remove from the scope of services anticipated to be required at any time up to the award of the contract.
The Service Provider will not be expected to provide staff or staff management, phlebotomy, infection control, facilities management or the Laboratory Information Management System (“LIMS”). Estates works will be limited to some enabling works.
Payment for such services will be subject to certain financial penalties and deductions that may arise from the provider's failure to achieve certain key performance indicators and standards that shall be set out in the contract. In addition, the contract will contain termination rights for EKHUFT in the event of serious failure to perform and breach including detailed exit and transition arrangements.
The Contracting Authority will require from potential providers at the ITT stage separate offers for two different contract period options.
Option 1: the contract period being 7 years from contract commencement with an up to 7 year extension (with certain modifications related to the scope of services and their price being permitted at extension) at the Contracting Authority's sole option from contract commencement.
Option 2: the contract period will be 10 years with an up to 7 year extension (with certain modifications related to the scope of services and their price being permitted at extension) at the Contracting Authority's sole option from contract commencement.