Provision of Cervical Cytology Laboratory Service (including HPV) for NHS England Midlands and East (Central Midlands) hereafter referred to as “Lincolnshire Cervical Cytology Laboratory procurement”

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands CSU (NHS Arden & GEMCSU) on behalf of NHS England Midlands & East (Central Midlands) (referred to as the Commissioners) is inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to deliver a Cervical Cytology Laboratory Service (including HPV) within Lincolnshire. The Commissioners wish to receive responses to the ITT from suitably qualified and experienced Providers with the necessary capacity and capability to provide the range of Services as set out elsewhere in the ITT, in a safe and effective manner.

Subject to any conditions specified in the Contract or any tender documents issued in connection with the Procurement, Potential Bidders may bid in partnership with other organisations. It is expected that interested laboratory providers will ensure that samples from eligible women taken by GPs and Community based clinics are received, tested and reported upon in a timely manner (including HPV test of cure) with secure onwards communication to the next appropriate stage of the pathway, including direct referrals.

The service specification includes the service and quality indicators expected by NHS England to ensure that a high standard of service is provided to NHS England’s responsible population and sets out the specific policies, recommendations, and standards that NHS England expects services to meet. The service covers all eligible women between the ages of 25 - 64 who should be enrolled in the programme and invited for screening.

The Laboratory service (including HPV testing) covering the Lincolnshire Cervical Cytology programme for 2014-15 approx. 36,500 samples per annum. The contract will be for an initial two year period, commencing 1 April 2016, with an option to extend for up to a further 24 months.

The Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation will be available from 14 July 2015 via: https://gemcsu.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html. All correspondence relating to this procurement throughout all the stages of the process must be managed through the Arden & GEM CSU eTendering Procurement Portal messaging facility only.

Clarification questions may be asked by Providers during the procurement process, the deadline for clarification questions is 17:00 on 14 August 2015. All correspondence relating to this procurement throughout all the stages of the process must be managed through the Arden & GEM CSU eTendering Procurement Portal messaging facility only.