Point-of-care (POC) blood gas analysers

Descriptions

Date Error in Engagement Description field, currently states "Suppliers are encouraged to confirm their participation in the pre-market engagement activities by 30 June 2025"; it should state "Suppliers are encouraged to confirm their participation in the pre-market engagement activities by 23 May 2025".

The blood gas service at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHNHSFT) is integral to the delivery of point-of-care testing (POCT) diagnostics, supporting rapid clinical decision-making at or near the patient bedside. This service underpins multidisciplinary teams across a range of acute and specialist care environments within the Trust’s two main acute hospitals: Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH) and Cheltenham General Hospital (CGH). Currently, the blood gas service supports approximately 100,000 near-patient test episodes annually, with activity distributed across both hospital sites. The core requirement is the supply and maintenance of point-of-care (POC) blood gas analysers and all associated consumables for use in clinical settings such as hospitals, intensive care units, and emergency departments. Emphasis is placed on robust, user-friendly devices that minimise manual intervention, have a compact footprint, and offer full connectivity with hospital IT systems.

Engagement process description
<<PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT>> The Prior Information Notice serves to inform suppliers of this forthcoming procurement and to invite expressions of interest from potential suppliers wishing to participate in pre-market engagement activities. These activities will include responding to a questionnaire and attending a virtual meeting to provide feedback on the questionnaire. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust ("the Authority") intends to hold virtual meetings during the week commencing 9 June 2025, during which suppliers will have the opportunity to discuss and elaborate on their feedback to the questionnaire. To express your interest and obtain further information regarding the questionnaire, please refer to the documentation available on Atamis, project reference 'C361556 Point-of-care (POC) blood gas analysers'. Suppliers are encouraged to confirm their participation in the pre-market engagement activities by 23 May 2025. <<COMMUNICATION>> All communications and enquiries regarding this procurement must be submitted via Atamis. Direct contact with Authority staff is not permitted. <<PROCUREMENT PROCESS & TIMESCALES>> The procurement route for a managed equipment service, or a contract for the supply and maintenance of blood gas analysers, may be subject to the Procurement Act 2023 Regulations. The formal procurement is expected to be published in July 2025, with the intention to complete contract award by October 2025. The Authority reserves the right to amend its approach, the scope of the procurement, the procurement procedure, and the timelines as a result of pre-market engagement or other considerations. For clarity, participation in pre-market engagement is not a prerequisite for submitting a formal bid once the procurement process commences. <<FINANCIALS>> The estimated total contract value is based on an anticipated annual spend of £200,000 (excluding VAT) over a five-year contract period, with options to extend for up to a further two years. However, the Estimated contract value includes allowances for annual growth and additional contingency to accommodate changes in the scope or quantity of analysers required.