Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening (AAA) Programme

This is a prior information notice of an upcoming procurement process for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening (AAA) Programme. The NHS England London, Public Health Screening team, are currently preparing for the undertaking of the AAA re procurement 2023/24.

The aim of AAA Screening Programme is to reduce deaths from ruptured aneurysms through early, accurate detection via ultrasound scan, monitoring and management of men with screen detected aneurysms, and appropriate referral and progress tracking of referrals to accredited vascular services for high quality diagnostic and treatment services.

Commissioners are seeking feedback from interested organisations in the form of completed Market Engagement Questionnaires (MEQ). The Two intended lots are:

Lot 1 - North London Lot 2 - South London

The scope and delivery of the service is detailed in the NHS AAA National Services and NHS AAA Local London Specifications.

Delivery of the programme includes successful identification and invitation to screening of all men eligible for NHS care registered with a GP within the commissioned screening programme boundaries in the year they turn 65. It also includes testing, surveillance, diagnose, referral to treatment/intervention and monitoring of outcomes.

Currently, in London there are two programmes: North London Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (NLAAASP) provides screening across three ICBs in NWL, NCL and NEL including 21 Local Authorities; and South London Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (SLAAASP) provides AAA screening across SWL and SEL ICBs and 12 local authorities, plus parts of Surrey. In total, both programmes are responsible for an eligible population of 46500 men.

The service specifications, contract values and contract durations stipulated are all in draft and are being developed at the time of publication of this PIN. Feedback from this MEQ exercise will be considered by the commissioners before the service specification and other contract parameters are finalised for the next stage of the process.

Financial Model

In relation to the financial model, the Authority is proposing an Activity-based model with the following tariff (indicative figure at this stage): Routine/ Surveillance screening - £60 per screen. This model is indicative at this stage and, in addition to the need for market feedback, the model will undergo affordability testing

Any communications or clarification questions about this contract opportunity must be submitted be via the messaging facility for this project on ProContract e-tendering portal.

Additional information: Interested organisation must express an interest for the purposes to partake in the market engagement questionnaire via the Pro-contract e-tendering portal.

Bidders need to register on Pro-contract if they are not registered already.

This can be done by clicking the link below:

https://procontract.due-north.com

Once registered, you can express an interest (for market engagement) in this project by clicking the following link to this specific project:

https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=d611757d-d18d-ee11-8125-005056b64545

Please note this expression of interest is only for the Market Engagement Questionnaire and it is not a call for competition. Should we decide to go out for procurement, you will need to express an interest for the Invitation to Tender.

Once you navigate to the project area you can access the Market Engagement materials provided in the messaging facility (a link to a questionnaire via MS Forms).

Interested organisations are requested to complete and submit a copy of the Market Engagement Questionnaire through the MS Form no later than Friday 22 December 2023 at 12.00 (noon)

The service specifications, contract values and contract durations stipulated are all in draft and are being developed at the time of publication of this PIN. Feedback from this MEQ exercise will be considered by the commissioners before the service specification and other contract parameters are finalised for the next stage of the process.

Any communications or clarification questions about this contract opportunity must be submitted be via the messaging facility for this project on ProContract e-tendering portal.

This Market Engagement process is being managed by the NHS London Commercial Hub (hosted by NHS North East London) on behalf of NHS England in connection with a process under Regulation 75 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 ("the

Regulations" (as amended). The services to which this Procurement relates fall within the "Light Touch Regime" (LTR) governing procurement of Health, Social, Education and Other service contracts. No indication shall be taken to mean that the Contracting Authority intends to hold itself bound to any of the Regulations, save those applicable to LTR provisions.