Provision and Support of a Home Peritoneal Dialysis Service

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves the provision and support of a Home Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Service across multiple HSE regions, specifically HSE South, HSE West, HSE Dublin North-East, and HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster. The contractor will supply essential equipment, consumables, and support services necessary for patients opting for peritoneal dialysis as a treatment for End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD).

Key activities include:

• Provision of Equipment: Supply of PD machines and associated devices.
• Supply of Consumables: Delivery of necessary consumables for PD, including but not limited to dialysis solutions and catheters.
• Support Services: Offering training and ongoing support for healthcare professionals and patients using the PD service.
• Holiday Service: Provision of support for patients during travel, both within and outside of Ireland.
• Collaboration with Hospitals: Engaging with various hospitals, including Tallaght University Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, and others, to ensure seamless integration of services.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Regular reporting on service delivery and patient outcomes to the HSE.
• Compliance with Standards: Adherence to relevant healthcare regulations and quality assurance standards.

The contractor must also be prepared to adapt to fluctuations in patient numbers and service requirements, as the demand for PD services may vary based on incident rates and patient survival rates.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of this service aligns with the HSE's strategic objective to expand home therapies for patients with ESKD. The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance patient care and accessibility to renal services. The HSE aims to increase the national prevalence of PD from 46 to 55 per million population for adults. As of April 2024, there were 249 adults and 11 children receiving PD in Ireland. The contract is intended to support the National Peritoneal Dialysis Programme and is crucial for meeting the growing demand for home dialysis options.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €3,000,000 for each of the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Employers Liability: €12,700,000
• Product Liability: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: €6,500,000
• Motor Insurance: €2,600,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: At least three comparable projects delivered in the last five years.
• Personnel: Minimum of five full-time staff in Renal Services, with three at a senior level.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, with no minimum scoring threshold specified.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Use the provided template; no page limit specified.
• CVs: For key personnel; no page limit specified.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the specified format in the template.
• Case studies: At least three examples of similar projects, with values ranging from €10,000 to €49,000,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via the eTenders portal.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Duration: Initial term of five years, with an option to extend for two additional years.
• Payment terms: Invoices to be paid within 45 days of receipt by the HSE.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Specific performance metrics will be outlined in the final contract.
• Liquidated damages: Applicable for non-compliance with contract terms.
• Termination clauses: HSE reserves the right to terminate the contract with 28 days' notice.
• Intellectual Property (IP): Ownership of any developed materials will reside with the HSE.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but must be disclosed in the tender submission.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• High turnover threshold: The requirement for a minimum turnover of €3 million may exclude smaller firms.
• Geographic constraints: The service is limited to specific HSE regions, which may restrict competition.
• Complex integration: The need to integrate with existing hospital systems may pose challenges for new entrants.
• Service continuity: The contract's reliance on ongoing funding and patient numbers may affect service viability.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this tender should:

• Have experience in healthcare services, particularly in renal care or similar fields.
• Possess the necessary insurance coverage and financial stability to meet the turnover requirement.
• Be capable of providing a team of qualified personnel, including senior staff with relevant experience.
• Consider forming a consortium or joint venture, as this is permitted and may enhance their capacity to meet the tender requirements.
• Expect a bid preparation effort of several weeks, given the complexity of the requirements and documentation.

The presence of established players in the market may indicate a competitive landscape, but the tender's structure allows for potential new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: HSE 23200 Expression of Interest Documents.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not specified
• Contact email: Queries must be submitted via the eTenders messaging facility.
• Important attachments:
• Tender Response Document
• Tender Competition Rules V14
• ESPD (European Single Procurement Document)