NHS England - Dynamic Purchasing System for the provision of Lloyd George record digitisation services

NHS England & NHS Improvement (NHSEI) are seeking to develop a national approach to the digitisation of Lloyd George records in GP practices. The National Commercial & Procurement Hub (on behalf of NHSEI) is seeking suitably experienced and qualified suppliers to join a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) as the vehicle for the procurement of digitisation services for NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), and other Contracting Authorities identified on a regional or local basis. The DPS will be divided into three Categories (Lots): Lot 1 Scanning services Lot 2 Integration with foundation clinical system Lot 3 Scanning services/integration with foundation clinical system (being the aggregate subject-matter of Lots 1 and 2). Suppliers interested in performing the services covered by both Lots 1 and 2, may apply for Lot 3 in addition to applying for both Lots 1 and 2. The awarding of specific contracts will be via invitation to tender to Suppliers listed on the established DPS.

There are currently 6743 GP practices in England serving a population of c 60.4 million patients. Some practices have already digitised their records, and nationally supported pilots have informed the development of an approach, specification and set of standards, and process map.

The GP Contract requires that by 2022/23, Lloyd George notes will be digitised and patients will have access to their records. The agreed approach, therefore, needs to ensure that CCGs can award contracts to suitably qualified and experienced suppliers who can deliver against this requirement, whilst keeping the burden to practices to a minimum.

The contract period for the DPS will remain open (valid) for a period of 4 years (to 2nd August 2024) with a possible extension up to 24 months. Suppliers may join the DPS at any time during its life.

Application to the DPS will be via a Selection Questionnaire, evaluation of which may include a virtual or face to face site visit. Bidders who are unsuccessful will be able to re-apply to join at any point during the life of the DPS. Successful bidders will be required to sign a Participation Agreement.

Contracting Authorities will be able to use the DPS to award specific contracts, but inviting suppliers listed to compete via an ITT. Competitions will commence immediately following the initial 30 day period for applications.

The estimated total value is £185m split across the 3 lots. Contract values for each lot will vary according to the Lots that Contracting Authorities select to use.

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home

Additional information: The overarching technical specification upon which the DPS is established will be subject to change throughout the lifetime in order to align with national standards.

The scope may be subject to variation in order to incorporate digitisation services which span across other parts of the UK or additional care settings (including secondary and urgent care). Any such change will be subject to approval and economic operators will be notified of any such planned changes.

It is envisaged that this DPS will be used by the following public sector bodies (and all successors thereto). The public sector bodies to whom the use of this DPS will be open include: (1) All National Health Service (NHS) bodies in England, including but not limited to (i) acute trusts (a list of which can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/pages/NHStrustlisting.aspx); (ii) health and care trusts (a list of which can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/NHSListing.aspx); (iii) mental health trusts (a list of which can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/NHSTrustListing.aspx); (iv) clinical commissioning groups (a list of which can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/CCGListing.aspx); (v) ambulance trusts (a list of which can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/NHSTrustListing.aspx); (vi) area teams (a list of which can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/AreaTeamListing.aspx); (vii) special health authorities (http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/SpecialHealthAuthorityListing.aspx); (viii) NHS England. (2) All local authorities (a list of which can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791684/List_of_councils_in_England_2019.pdf.

Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'current tenders' list on the e-procurement system In-Tend. You will need to be registered on the system and 'express an interest', and then complete a response as specified within the procurement documents. Please include at least two contacts on registration.

The services are deemed to be subject to the full regime of current EU procurement legislation and as such this tender will be conducted in accordance with, and governed by, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended). This contract will therefore be awarded in accordance with the provisions applicable in Regulation 5 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the DPS operated in accordance with Regulation 34 thereof.

The contracting authority intends to observe the provisions and 10 day standstill period described in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) as far as applicable. Unsuccessful applicants will receive scores and reasons why the applicant was unsuccessful. Deadlines for lodging appeals should be in accordance with Regulations.