Pre Market Engagement for Microbiology Molecular Platforms, Consumables and Quality Control Products

Purpose of the PME

The purpose of this second stage Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is to continue engagement with the marketplace on behalf of Belfast, Northern, Southern, South Eastern and Western Health and Social Care Trusts for Northern Ireland.

Building on the previous PME activity, this stage seeks suppliers views on the capability and capacity of the market to support the delivery of managed microbiology and molecular diagnostic services.

This PME does not form part of a formal procurement process and does not represent a commitment to proceed to tender or to adopt a particular delivery solution. The intention is to inform the development of a future procurement strategy.

This stage of the PME is focused on exploring managed service delivery models which may include (but is not limited to) diagnostic platforms, associated equipment, reagents, consumables, quality control materials, installation, maintenance and ongoing service support.

Site Visits

Suppliers with capability in the potential delivery of managed microbiology and molecular diagnostic services are invited to participate in in‑person site visits across all Trust laboratory locations as part of this stage of the PME process.

The purpose of the site visits is to support the development of the forthcoming procurement by enabling suppliers to observe laboratory environments and consider the feasibility of delivering a comprehensive, integrated managed service across all Trust sites.

This includes consideration of diagnostic platforms, associated equipment, reagents, consumables, quality control materials, installation, maintenance and ongoing service support requirements.

Suppliers should note that laboratory environments vary across Trust sites in terms of age, configuration and underlying infrastructure. These variations may present significant considerations in relation to space planning, equipment placement, utilities, ventilation and floor loading capacity.

Suppliers are encouraged to take these factors into account when considering potential managed service models and delivery approaches, and to reflect these considerations in any feedback provided as part of the PME.

Background

A contract is currently in place from 30 January 2019 to 28 February 2028. Planning is underway for a future re procurement to ensure continued service provision across all Trust laboratory sites.

A formal procurement competition is anticipated to be launched in early 2027 via the Find a Tender Service (FTS).

An initial Supplier Engagement Session (SES) has previously been undertaken to inform early market understanding and identify potential service considerations. This PME site visit exercise represents a further stage of market engagement, building on that activity.

The PME will assist the Buyer in understanding the extent to which the market can support delivery across the full scope of requirements within varied laboratory infrastructures.

Information sought from Suppliers

The Buyer is seeking high level, indicative market insights from suppliers regarding their approach to delivering managed microbiology and molecular diagnostic services in a multi site laboratory environment.

Suppliers are invited to share views and considerations on

• configuration and delivery of an integrated managed service model;
• infrastructure and environmental requirements typically associated with such services; and
• how managed service approaches may be adapted to accommodate laboratories of differing age, layout and infrastructure capability, whilst maintaining uniformity across all five trusts.

Further indicative technical information, including high level test scope and volumes, may be shared as part of site visit discussions with participating suppliers to support informed and constructive feedback.

Pricing or commercial information is not being requested at this stage; however, further information, including indicative costings and related assumptions, may be requested later as part of this pre market engagement exercise.