Pathology Managed Service – Preliminary Market Engagement

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (“the Authority”) is undertaking preliminary market engagement ahead of a competitive procurement for a Pathology Managed Service. The intended contract will provide, as a managed service, the laboratory equipment (analytical platforms, automation, point-of-care devices and associated instrumentation), reagents, consumables, maintenance, software/middleware, training and lifecycle replacement required to deliver the Authority’s pathology service.

The service is expected to be structured in two phases: Phase 1 covering the Authority’s existing laboratories at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital, and Phase 2 following consolidation into a new-build pathology hub. The Authority’s working direction is a new-build hub with the location not yet determined; two options remain under consideration, each with implications for the service model that suppliers should allow for:

A hub on the Gloucester (hospital) site would require continued urgent haematology and clinical chemistry provision at Cheltenham General.

An off-site hub would require acute (hot lab) provision and resilience at both Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General. Transfusion provision should not be assumed at all three locations (remote issue, transport, storage, space and staffing remain dependencies); for microbiology, an off-site hub may require on-site blood-culture loading at the acute sites and further review of patient-facing sample collection and cryo/storage services. For cellular pathology, reliable frozen-section transport between sites would be essential.

The disciplines in scope are Blood Sciences (clinical biochemistry, haematology, coagulation, immunology, transfusion-related equipment where included), Infection Sciences (microbiology, virology/molecular) and Cellular Pathology, together with enabling works to prepare laboratory space for installation. The Authority anticipates a lead provider for Blood Sciences with further lots or sub-lots for the other disciplines; the lot structure is a matter on which market feedback is sought.

The Authority is seeking supplier feedback on the draft service specification, draft key performance indicators, the proposed lot structure and phasing, the commercial and pricing model, the evaluation approach and the proposed timetable, in order to finalise its procurement strategy and tender documents. Participation is open to all interested suppliers including SMEs, specialist providers and potential sub-contractors or consortium members.