AQP South Staffordshire CCGs. Non Obstetric Ultrasound Service (NOUS).

3. CCGs in South Staffordshire, led by NHS Stafford and Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Group, are seeking to re-procure the current provision of Non Obstetric Ultrasound services through AQP. The associate CCGs are Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group and South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsular Clinical Commissioning Group. This is a full re-opening of the current AQP Non Obstetric Ultrasound service. All existing providers must reapply for accreditation status to continue providing this service as at 1.4.2016. Please note that under ‘Any Qualified Provider’ contracts there will be no guarantees of volume in the contracts awarded. Further, prices are set and can be accessed on the tariff (included in the documentation?).

The overarching aims of the service are:

• to ensure patients receive the right test at the right time and in the most clinically appropriate local setting,
• to ensure diagnostic testing is integrated across pathways of care, that the report and/or images follows the patient and that there is no unnecessary duplication of investigation,
• to enable patients and referring clinicians to access a choice of provision according to patient choice, clinical need and relevant care pathway, and
• to ensure diagnostic tests are appropriate, necessary, clinically correct, of high quality, with timely access and reporting,
• to develop local service provision as part of a diagnostic commissioning plan which aims to improve access and choice for patients.

The service will be commissioned using the Any Qualified Provider process. In securing services under the AQP process, assurance of competence, quality and safety standards is required. Any provider will be eligible to join the Qualified Provider list subject to demonstrating competency against specified criteria. Qualified providers will be expected to deliver the service under the NHS Standard Contract. As a Qualified Provider there are no guaranteed levels of activity and payment is made based on actual provision. Information document and all other supporting documents will be issued to those expressing an interest and available for download on Bravo, prior to filling out the Bravo application form, paying attention to the guidance therein at: https://mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk. Midlands and Lancashire CSU is the initial point of contact for all communication during the procurement. Under no circumstances should Potential Bidders approach the Commissioners, their staff or advisers in relation to the Procurement. The CCGs would also encourage innovative solutions including consortia, strategic alliances and sub-contracts which will deliver value for money and improved services to patients.

Additional information: If and when this requirement is offered to tender, this will be done via electronic means

NHS Midlands and Lancashire CSU is conducting this procurement exercise as a central purchasing body for another NHS body (please refer to the MOI for details) with whom the successful bidder(s) will enter into contracts for the supply of the services. Any other public sector body wishing to access the contract may do so only with permission from the contracting NHS body. The contract conditions will be set out in the Invitation to Tender. Further details will be made available via documentation released during the course of the tender process.

The CCGs are looking to award the service to providers that meet the Any Qualified Provider standards. Activity will be paid on a cost per case basis at a Local Tariff rate (As to be published in the specification). There will be no guarantees of volume or payment in the contracts awarded.

Submission of expression of interest and procurement-specific information.

This exercise will be conducted on the NHS Midlands and Lancashire CSU portal at https://mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk

Candidates wishing to be considered must register their expression of interest and provide procurement-specific information as follows:

• i)candidates should register on the portal at https://mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk (registration and use of website is free). If your organisation has registered previously, you do not need to re-register;
• ii)once registered, candidates must also confirm their expression of interest by:
• a)emailing the relevant information to Kate Fox and Elaine Butler Catherine.Fox@staffordshirecss.nhs.uk and elaine.butler@staffordshirecss.nhs.uk. The following information must be stated in the email:
• organisation name,
• organisation address,
• contact name,
• telephone number,
• email address,
• website address,
• organisation type.

We will then forward you a copy of the service specification. You must submit your reply on the website and by email by the deadline stated. For technical support in submitting your expression of interest contact the BravoSolution Help-desk on +44 8003684850 or help@bravosolution.co.uk