Hywel Dda Health Board is currently planning to modernise the delivery of Pathology Services and is seeking to implement a managed laboratory service contract, over a phased period, across the Blood Science Services including but not limited to Clinical Chemistry, Blood Gas, Immunology and Point of Care Testing. These services are presently provided from acute hospital sites in Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Llanelli. This contract will maximise innovation and technology, and drive efficiency and effectiveness to provide a high quality, innovative and progressive diagnostic service offering a total overall value for money solution. This will include the provision and maintenance of equipment, together with the supply of all reagents, chemicals, consumables, training, associated IT connectivity and other support services.

It is the expectation of the Contracting Authority to enter into an arrangement for the supply of the required services that will be structured in such a manner that will facilitate VAT recovery by the Contracting Authority on all associated costs of the arrangement under the appropriate NHS VAT Contracted Out Services reliefs, on the basis that it qualifies as a fully managed laboratory service by meeting all the requirements for such arrangements as laid down by the relevant Tax Authority. It is the expectation of the Contracting Authority to enter into an arrangement for the supply of Blood Science Services that will be structured in a manner that will allow all associated costs of the arrangement to be kept “Off Balance Sheet” in relation to International Financial Reporting Standards.

The envisaged contact duration is 7 + 1 + 1 years, however the Contracting Authority reserves the right to discuss and consider alternative contract terms of up to 14 years during the course of dialogue.

Further details are set out in a Memorandum of Information (MOI) which is available on request.

Community Benefits do not apply to this contract.