Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2016-06-03
Buyer: NHS Wales Procurement Services on behalf of Cwm Taf University Health Board
Country: UK
Region: Central Valleys
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Contract award without prior publication
CPV classification: 33696300 | 33696500
Estimated value: 150000 GBP

Technical requirements: 5 year Reagent rental contract for a Milestone TissueSAFE and SealSAFE biospecimen management system.
NHS Wales Shared Services on behalf of Cwm Taf University Health Board intend to award a 5 year reagent rental contract to A Menarini for — Milestone TissueSAFE and SealSAFE biospecimen management system.
The reason we have chosen to go directly to A Menarini Diagnostics is to our knowledge, they are the sole UK supplier of this CE-IVD technology for the collection of human tissue samples. This is based on the use of Milestone Vacuum bags which are approved CE-IVD medical devices according to Directive 98/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, for the exclusive use with the Milestone SealSAFE instrumentation. The use of such bags for a different instrumentation or the use of vacuum bags not provided by Milestone with the SealSAFE instrumentation preclude the safety of use and will void the CE-IVD.
NHS Wales Shared Services on behalf of Cwm Taf University Health Board intend to award a reagent rental contract to A Menarini for — Milestone TissueSAFE and SealSAFE biospecimen management system.
Formaldehyde, the key ingredient in the histological fixative ‘formalin’ has been reclassified to a category 1B carcinogen. COSHH regulations require employers to reduce the exposure to carcinogens to as low a level as possible or substitute such carcinogens with a less toxic alternative.
It is accepted that formalin can not be replaced or substituted in histopathological procedures so it is advised that steps are taken to reduce the use of it as far as practically possible.
The department of cellular pathology at CTUHB would like to propose the installation of the Milestone TissueSAFE and SealSAFE biospecimen management system from Menarini Diagnostics. This will replace the current system of placing specimens into formalin and transporting them in the formalin to the cellular pathology lab.
TissueSAFE vacuum seals specimens in sterilized self-standing bags and eliminates the use of formalin for >95 % specimens in theatres. Specimens are labelled immediately by the collector and stored in a refrigerator until transported to the laboratory in a cool bag or refrigerated transfer box. The storage and transport temperature and time are monitored by a smart card which is activated at the start of each shift. This improves safety for patients, theatre staff, porters and delivery drivers.
SealSAFE vacuum seals specimens and controls the amount of formalin dispensed into the bag according to specimen weight within a closed unit for maximum safety, efficiency, quality and standardization. This improves safety for histology staff and pathologists.
The reason we have chosen to go directly to A Menarini Diagnostics is to our knowledge, they are the sole UK supplier of this CE-IVD technology for the collection of human tissue samples. This is based on the use of Milestone Vacuum bags which are approved CE-IVD medical devices according to Directive 98/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, for the exclusive use with the Milestone SealSAFE instrumentation. The use of such bags for a different instrumentation or the use of vacuum bags not provided by Milestone with the SealSAFE instrumentation preclude the safety of use and will void the CE-IVD.
Note: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales web site at: http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=46510
The Authority will allow a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period between notifying the award decision and awarding the contract. The deadline is 16.6.2016 at 12:00 BST. Should additional information be required it should be requested of the addressee in Section 1.1) Aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by breach of the procurement rules have the right to take action in the High Court (England and Wales). Any such action is subject to strict time limits in accordance with the Public Contracts (Amendments) Regulations 2009.


Award value: 150000