Published date: 13 May 2016

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 20 June 2016

Contract summary

Industry

  • Transport services (excl. Waste transport) - 60000000

  • Public road transport services - 60112000

  • Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services - 63000000

Location of contract

North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, Wales

Value of contract

£0

Procurement reference

NHSBT0887/S/SP

Published date

13 May 2016

Closing date

20 June 2016

Contract start date

1 October 2016

Contract end date

30 September 2019

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

NHSBT Tissue and Eye Services is the largest multi-tissue banking organisation in the UK and is a significant leader in the development of national and international standards, policies and regulation in the field.
Tissue and Eye Services manages the deceased tissue donation programme where tissues such as eyes, bone, tendons, skin, cartilage, and heart valves are retrieved from donors after death. We have specialist retrieval teams based in Liverpool, Leeds, Colindale and Bristol. Routine practice is for the teams to travel to Hospital mortuaries to facilitate deceased donor tissue donations; however we are changing our working patterns/methods to maximise deceased tissue donation throughout mainland England and Wales.
Consent for deceased tissue donation is obtained in accordance with the Human Tissue Act (2004) and occurs during the time period following the death of a loved one. The time consent obtained can impinge on donation as tissue donation must be facilitated within 48 hours following death, donation of eyes must be completed within 24 hours following death. Therefore a rapid response in the collection of a deceased donor for transportation to the DDF (Dedicated Donor Facility) is vital to ensure donation occurs.
The donors must be transported to the DDF in Liverpool, and must be transported in an appropriate vehicle under strict conditions by the Contractor. The transport of donors to the DDF must be undertaken within strict timelines which ensure donation occurs within 48 hours. The maximum time period available is governed by the time the consent is gained therefore reducing the available donation window period and maximum transfer time to NHSBT Liverpool. Any untoward delay in transportation could result in the loss of donation and tissues. This impacts on NHSBT's ability to fulfil its core purpose of helping save and improve patient lives.

The contractor must provide a national service to transport donors from hospital mortuaries throughout mainland England and Wales to the DDF. Following the tissue donation, return the donor from the DDF to the originating Hospital / Trust mortuary located within mainland England and Wales. Transport must be by road.
Ensuring that the most time and cost effective solution is used for each job.

It is desirable that the contractor is a member of a relevant trade association such as the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD) or equivalent body and maintain membership for the duration of the contract. The contractor must be able to provide evidence of current membership and a copy of the most recent inspection report where applicable. The contractor must be able to facilitate a transfer or return of a donor 24 hours per day, 365 days per year as collections and deliveries may be required outside of normal core working hours (08.30 to 17.00 hours).

More information

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Additional text

If you wish to express an interest in this tender, please can you register on the ePortal (Bravo Solutions) as per the instructions below. To register your company on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once) - Browse to the eSourcing Portal at https://nhsbt.bravosolution.co.uk - Click the "Register now!" link - Accept the terms and conditions and click "continue" - Enter your correct business and user details - Note the username you chose and click "Save" when complete - You will shortly receive an email with your unique password (please keep this secure). Please confirm by email once you have completed your registration to lorna.joy@nhsbt.nhs.uk Please note that the advert will close at 17:00 hrs on 20th June 2016.

About the buyer

Contact name

Ros Gill

Address

NHS Blood and Transplant, North Bristol Park, Filton
Bristol
BS34 7QH
England

Telephone

0117 9 217233

Email

rosalind.gill@nhsbt.nhs.uk