Audiology Implant Service Patient Administration/Clinical Database System - Soft Market Testing Exercise

The University of Southampton is currently exploring a range of options to support the patient administration and clinical databases, which underpin the operation of the University's Auditory Implant Service ("USAIS"). The University is keen to explore all options that may be currently available in the marketplace.

The University is conducting soft market testing for a solution that must include at least one, and ideally both of the following capabilities:- (1) Clinical database capability specific to requirements of an auditory implant service a. Front-end testing and data capture with link to hardware systems b. Data analysis for service requirements, research, audit and service evaluation

(2) Patient administration capability (systems should be able to deliver the requirements below either as standard or should have the ability to be configured to provide these requirements). a. Clinic timetabling system with ability to timetable patient appointments, staff time and room use b. Secure and confidential patient information storage c. Finance management and performance monitoring required to comply with the NHS specialised services reporting requirements for invoice validation d. Compatibility with uploading data to NHS systems to meet NHS reporting requirements for NHS Commissioned DataSets_OutPatient Activity reporting e. Support to patient and professional communication and marketing f. Stock management including daily stock reports and an automated ordering of spares/repairs by patients, linked to patient records. g. User support and training for USAIS staff

This soft market exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to outline their views and provide impartial information to the University with no commitment to themselves or the University. It is not part of a formal procurement process nor shall the University be committed to carrying out such a process. The ultimate aim is to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the various solutions available to the University to deliver the outcomes above.

The aim of the soft market test is not to select organisations with which to work, it is to better understand the solutions available in the market to inform the University's strategy for fulfilling their requirements. It can, however, be viewed as an opportunity for contractors to become more familiar with the University's Auditory Implant Service and inform the University of their organisation and relative services.

The soft market testing process will consist of submission of the Soft Market Testing Questionnaire (SMTQ) using the In-Tend portal. Further details regarding the completion and submission of the SMTQ can be found within the questionnaire document.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a call for competition at this stage.

Additional information: The University is utilising an electronic tendering tool (In-Tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofsouthampton) to manage this soft market testing exercise and to communicate with suppliers. All documentation in relation to this project can be downloaded from the In-Tend portal.

Bidders are advised that there will be no hard copy documents issued to organisations and all communications with the University including the submission of Soft Market Testing Exercise Questionnaires (SMTEQ) will be conducted via the In-Tend portal.

Regular monitoring of the portal is the responsibility of the supplier.

If you are not already registered as a supplier with the University of Southampton, you will need to register in In-Tend in order to access the SMTEQ documentation.

Once you have logged in as a supplier: click on 'Tenders'; locate the relevant project; and click 'View Details'. Once you are in the project screen, you will be able to register your company against the project and access all documentation by clicking 'Express Interest'.

Further instructions for the submission of SMTEQ responses are below. To submit your return, please follow the instructions below: 1. Log In 2. Click 'Tenders' 3. Locate the relevant project 4. View Details 5. Click on the tab relating to the relevant project stage (e.g. 'Soft Market Testing Exercise') 6. Click on the 'Attach Documents' button and upload your return. 7. Check ALL your response documents are uploaded and displayed in the "My Tender Return" panel. The system will only permit your organisation to make one return. 8. Click the red "Submit Return" button.

Please note that, to preserve the integrity of the tendering procedure, all queries must made be via the correspondence function within the In-Tend portal.