WPL06211 - Imaging Infrastructure Support Service

Overview of Requirement

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) is initiating the re-procurement process for its Imaging Infrastructure Support Service (IISS).

As a large, specialised acute teaching trust, UHS manages a diverse and complex imaging estate including MRI, CT, X-Ray, Ultrasound, Echo, Angiography, and Fluoroscopy supporting 24/7 clinical pathways. The current contract, which provides a comprehensive managed service, is approaching expiry.

Purpose of the Engagement

This Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is a critical step in developing the Trust's Business Case. The objectives for the engagement are to:

• Gather insight on current capabilities, innovations, and delivery models.
• Test and shape the Trust's emerging requirements and procurement strategy.
• Understand supplier perspectives on risk, contract structure, and performance expectations.
• Encourage broad and competitive participation in the forthcoming procurement.

Scope and Model Neutrality

The Trust is seeking information on a broad range of high-level service models. At this stage, UHS has not yet committed to a specific commercial structure. The engagement aims to understand the pros and cons of:

• Fully managed equipment service models.
• Hybrid or shared-responsibility models.
• Strategic partnerships involving mixed-vendor and mixed-age estates.
• Other models used globally.

Supply and Delivery Expectations

This notice is for pre-procurement consultation only. The Trust invites input from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and technical advisors. The engagement will involve a period of active discovery, including Requests for Information (RFIs) and 1-to-1 sessions.

Out of Scope

To maintain the integrity of the future formal procurement, the following are strictly out of scope for this PME:

• Detailed pricing or firm cost benchmarks.
• Final contract terms or specific risk transfer mechanisms.
• Supplier-specific solution designs or evaluation/scoring criteria.