Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2020-06-29
Buyer: NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
Country: UK
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Contract award without prior publication
CPV classification: 33140000: Medical consumables
Estimated value: 18000000 GBP

Technical requirements: NWSSP Partnership wish to inform the market that they have awarded a one off contract for the supply of type IIR Surgical Masks on behalf of NHS Wales.
NWSSP Partnership wish to inform the market that due to the Covid-19 global pandemic they have awarded a one off supply contract for type IIR surgical masks.
Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The Covid-19 pandemic has placed significant pressure on the global supply market in terms of a range of products including type IIR masks, and fluid resistant masks. Covid-19 is transmitted via small airborne droplets emitted by infected people when sneezing, coughing or talking. Therefore, a wide array of protective products designed to ensure protection are used such as face masks. As a consequence of the pace of the virus spread and following Government guidance, surgical masks must be used by all healthcare workings in an inpatient and social care clinical setting. This has significantly increased the day-to-day usage of the surgical masks.
Due to this Government guidance it was essential for NWSSP to purchase a significant quantity of masks to be able to support NHS Wales and Social Care residencies in Wales during this unprecedented time. Following a rapid review of the market conditions and finite supply and demand of the Type IIR masks, NHS Wales required a consistent high quality and quantity pipeline of supply for the NHS as well as for social care and private providers who treat NHS patients within Wales.
To enable this rapid delivery, NWSSP Partnership would like to inform the market that under Regulation 32 (2) (c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR’s) Bunzl UK Ltd  were awarded a one off purchase of masks to ensure continued quality supply.
In awarding this contract, the Health Board met all the tests under the PCR’s due to the immediate risk that Covid-19 posed to all NHS and social care personnel. In these exceptional circumstances, there was no time to run an accelerated procedure in line with PCR’s as immediate and continued pipeline of significant quantities was urgently required.
COVID-19 is a global emergency pandemic and the high volume of PPE required was not something that could have been predicted.
Government guidance is that type IIR surgical masks must be used by all healthcare workings in an inpatient clinical setting when:
— working in an inpatient, maternity, radiology area with possible or confirmed case(s) – direct patient care (within 2 metres);
— working in an emergency department/acute assessment area with possible or confirmed case(s) – direct patient care (within 2 metres);
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership on behalf of Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board will allow a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period between notifying the award decision and awarding the contract. Should additional information be required it should be requested of the addressee in section I.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).


Winner: Bunzl Uk Ltd
Award value: 18000000