Public procurement notice: Contract Award Notice
Published: 2019-07-02
Buyer: The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as NHS National Services Scotland) (‘NSS’)
Country: UK
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 33100000 | 33124000
Estimated value: 190126 GBP
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) have commissioned the implementation of gallium-68 PET/CT imaging services in 4 health boards across Scotland: Lothian; Grampian; Tayside and Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC). This procurement was to procure two (2) Gallium-68 Isolators, to be located, one (1) each, within Lothian Health Board and Tayside Health Board.
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) have commissioned the implementation of gallium-68 PET/CT imaging services in 4 health boards across Scotland: Lothian; Grampian; Tayside and Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC). Gallium-68 (Ga68) is now the gold standard for the detection and localisation of neuroendocrine tumours (somatostatin receptor imaging) and is an emerging prospect for improved prostate cancer imaging.
The location of the Ga68 manufacturing and dispensing service in each health board will differ, depending on local requirements, however each health board will be required to dispense Ga68 radiopharmaceuticals in an appropriately shielded clean air device, such as an isolator, hot cell or biological safety cabinet that meets the requirements of a Grade A environment, as stipulated in the European Commission’s Guidance for Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP), Annex 1.
Gallium-68 for use in the preparation of Ga68-radiopharmaceuticals can be generated from a Ga68 generator or a cyclotron, with each Health Board having a preference for how they will generate Ga68 to provide the service to their patients.
NHS Scotland has commissioned the procurement of PET isolators for the dispensing of Ga68-radiopharmaceuticals in up to 4 centres across Scotland. The isolator must provide sufficient radiation protection to ensure the radiation dose to operators is as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP), while providing a sterile environment to protect the patient against microbial contamination in their dose.
This procurement exercise was to procure two (2) isolators, suitable for handling Ga68, and other PET isotopes, which will be located, one (1) each, within Lothian Heath Board (at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh) and Tayside Health Board (at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee).
While the Authority was conducting this procurement exercise, the intention upon award of contract was that both Lothian Health Board and Tayside Health Board will place a purchase order with the successful contractor for the supply of their specific requirements.
The estimated contract value entered at Section II.1.5 was based on the supply, installation and warranty under the contract.
The bringing of court proceedings against the Authority after the Framework Agreement has been entered into will not affect the Framework Agreement unless grounds for the imposition of special penalties under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 can be established. Otherwise the remedies that may be awarded by the courts where the Framework Agreement has been entered into are limited to the award of damages.


Winner: Amercare Ltd
Award value: 190126
Number of bids: 4