Single source framework agreement for the Supply and Maintenance of Column Agglutination Testing (CA

Descriptions

Red Cell Immunohaematology (RCI) is a specialist function within the Diagnostics and Therapeutic Services Directorate of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). The RCI Reference Laboratories provide antibody resolution and red cell phenotyping on samples referred from Hospital Transfusion Laboratories and other Laboratories within NHSBT. Reference services are provided from Birmingham, Colindale, Filton (Bristol), Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Tooting. NHSBT requires a fully integrated testing system which includes equipment maintenance, spare parts, consumables, system upgrades, training and support. The testing system is required to identify, sample, dispense and test blood samples and all items required to analyse, interpret, transmit and store results on those tests. There are two elements to this system — Automated testing which will be used for the majority of routine tests and manual testing which will be used mainly for non routine and more complex investigations. Within a scope of this procurement RCI was looking for a complete column agglutination based system to undertake ABO/D types, Rh and other red cell phenotypes, antibody screens and antibody identification on referred samples. Manual testing of problem samples using the same technology as the selected platform is essential for problem samples and as a contingency. Along with other requirements of this procurement (as described within the tender documentation) RCI required both automated and manual testing to use the same technology.