Provision of Rapid Freezing Technology for Human Plasma

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is considering procurement of a multi-year contract for the provision of rapid freezing technology. The technology is required to rapidly and simultaneously freeze a large number of blood packs and/or bottles containing human plasma from processed whole blood donations or from apheresis plasma collections. This plasma is targeted either for use in plasma fractionation or for direct patient transfusion. Solution must include: o The procurement must provide the required equipment, installation and any additional works required o Service and maintenance contract o Some exceptions may apply (example EMS integration) • Key objectives and expected outcomes: o Rapid plasma freezer supplied to freeze plasma and meet specifications documented in SPN342 - Processing Timelines and Component Guidelines and SPN1479 – specification for a Bulk Rapid Plasma Freezer o Ensure equipment meets throughput demand with minimal down time o Procure equipment that can be utilised in a department that runs 24 hours/ 365 days per year o Contract that can accommodate future requirements o Supply and maintain equipment anywhere in England o Response times that both parties can agree (must be able to maintain throughput) o NHSBT need the capability to validate the equipment as part of tender exercise and for final use o The requirement to extract freeze cycle data and the ability to interact with 2D barcode scanning or RFID o Schedule of replacement, installation and delivery must enable current throughput to be maintained o Reliable freezer which is easily maintained and serviceable