Single-Party Framework Agreement for Haemodialysis On/Off Packs

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

This tender seeks to establish a single-party framework agreement for the supply of Haemodialysis On/Off Packs to Beaumont Hospital. The agreement will initially cover a two-year contract, with the potential for extension up to a total of four years, subject to performance and strategic appropriateness. The successful supplier will be responsible for the provision of sterile, single-use custom haemodialysis packs designed for an acute hospital environment.

Key requirements for the packs include:

• Quality and Suitability: All products must be of good quality and suitable for clinical use.
• Certification: Products must be CE marked and manufactured to relevant standards, with the manufacturing process certified to a relevant quality management standard.
• Conformity: Packs must conform to the layout and structure required by clinical users.
• Packaging: Packaging must be easy to open without compromising sterility and include a traceability label. Trays are not required.
• Minimisation of Contamination: Packs must be designed to minimise cross-contamination and damage to central venous catheters.
• Traceability: Packs must include an appropriate lot number for full traceability.

The tender specifies three mandatory pack types:

• Central Line On/Off Pack: This pack includes components for both "On" and "Off" procedures, detailing specific quantities of items such as HDPE bags, drapes, masks, swabs, syringes (5ml and 10ml NaCl), closure caps, forceps, and adhesive tape.
• AVF On/Off Pack: This pack also comprises "On" and "Off" components, with specific items including plastic bags, masks, drapes, adhesive tape, swabs, syringes (10ml NaCl), and adult tourniquets.
• CVC Intervention Pack: This pack includes items such as plastic bags, masks, drapes, swabs, syringes (20ml), an interlink bare cannula, forceps, and adhesive tape.

Tenderers must bid for all specified packs; failure to do so will result in disqualification. The framework agreement may be expanded to include additional packs or components based on clinical need over its duration. The successful supplier must maintain a four-month stock level for ready use and implement a robust tracking system with batch numbers, a product recall policy, and hazard management. Deliveries will be required on a weekly basis.

3. Background & buyer context

Beaumont Hospital is procuring these Haemodialysis On/Off Packs through an open procedure to establish a single-party framework agreement. This approach is intended to leverage efficiencies and maximise cost savings over a four-year period. The hospital is a major academic and teaching hospital, providing a wide range of services. Further information about Beaumont Hospital is available online at www.beaumont.ie/aboutus. The decision to establish this framework agreement reflects a strategic need to ensure a reliable and cost-effective supply of essential medical consumables for its haemodialysis services. The framework agreement structure allows for flexibility in awarding individual contracts over its duration, with an initial two-year term anticipated.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

To be considered for this tender, bidders must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Turnover requirement: Bidders must demonstrate an average annual turnover of at least €750,000 in any one of the three preceding financial years.
• Insurance: Bidders must hold, or be in a position to implement, the following insurance cover:
• Employer’s Liability Insurance: €13 million
• Public Liability Insurance: €6.5 million
• Product Liability Insurance: €6.5 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

Tenderers are required to submit all mandatory components for each pack specified. Failure to tender for a particular pack will result in the elimination of the entire submission.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The award of this framework agreement will be based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). The evaluation will consider both price and quality. The specific weighting and sub-criteria are detailed in Section 6 of the Invitation to Tender document. Bidders must meet all eligibility criteria to proceed to the award evaluation stage. The lowest notional ultimate cost tender that also meets all minimum requirements will be identified.

Note: Specific details on the price/quality split and scoring methodology are not fully detailed in the provided extract but will be found in Section 6 of the full tender document.

6. Submission requirements

Tenderers must submit comprehensive tender responses that include all information detailed in the Checklist for Tender Submissions. This includes:

• Form of Tender: Completed and signed (Appendix 1).
• European Single Procurement Document (ESPD): Completed and signed (Appendix 2).
• Product Samples: Two non-sterile samples of each pack must be delivered to the Procurement Department, Beaumont Hospital, marked for the attention of David McHugh, by the tender closing date and time. Sterile samples may be requested subsequently for patient trials. All samples must be provided free of charge.
• Pricing Schedule: Not explicitly detailed in the extract, but expected to be in a specified format.
• Declarations: Not explicitly detailed in the extract, but ESPD covers many self-declarations.
• Method Statement / Response Document: Not explicitly detailed in the extract.
• CVs: Not explicitly detailed in the extract.
• Case Studies: Not explicitly detailed in the extract.

All submissions must be made electronically through the eTenders web portal (www.etenders.gov.ie). Late tenders, emailed, faxed, or hard copy submissions will not be considered. Tenderers are advised to commence the uploading process well in advance of the deadline to avoid technical issues.

7. Key dates & process

Note: The RFT issue date and expected award/start dates are not specified in the provided text.

8. Contract terms that matter

The framework agreement has a maximum potential duration of four years, with an initial contract of two years. Subsequent contract placements will depend on performance and strategic assessment. The Contracting Authority is not obligated to purchase specific quantities and reserves the right to procure outside the framework if it offers better value. The framework agreement may be terminated according to its terms (draft in Appendix 3). In the event the successful supplier cannot execute the agreement or any contract, Beaumont Hospital may award to the next highest-ranked tenderer. The successful tenderer must adhere to GDPR provisions if acting as a data processor or sub-processor.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

• Single-Party Framework: This structure inherently limits competition for individual contracts once the framework is established, potentially favouring an incumbent or a supplier with significant capacity.
• No Guarantee of Purchase: The framework agreement does not guarantee any specific quantity of goods, meaning demand could fluctuate significantly.
• Right to Procure Outside Framework: Beaumont Hospital explicitly reserves the right to source these items externally if it deems it offers better value for money, potentially undermining the framework's purpose.
• Mandatory Tender for All Packs: The requirement to tender for all specified packs means a supplier cannot selectively bid, increasing the risk of disqualification if they cannot meet the specification for even one item.
• Sample Requirements: The need to provide both non-sterile and potentially sterile samples, free of charge, represents a cost and logistical consideration for bidders.
• Four Months' Stock Holding: The requirement for the supplier to hold four months' stock is a significant inventory management commitment.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is structured as a single-party framework agreement, which typically favours larger, established suppliers with the capacity to meet significant demand and hold substantial stock. A small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) could potentially bid if they possess:

• Specialised Manufacturing Capability: The ability to produce the specific components and assemble the detailed packs to the required sterile standards.
• Robust Supply Chain: A well-managed supply chain to ensure consistent availability of all components and meet weekly delivery requirements.
• Significant Stock Holding Capacity: The financial and logistical capability to maintain a four-month stock level.
• Quality Management Systems: Certification to relevant quality standards for medical device manufacturing.

Consortium or sub-contracting is not explicitly mentioned as prohibited but is not encouraged by the single-party framework structure. The bid preparation effort would be substantial, requiring detailed technical specifications, sample preparation, and pricing for all components across three pack types. The "Pwin" signal is moderate; while it's a single-party framework, the explicit right to procure outside it and the lack of guaranteed volume suggest it's not a guaranteed long-term contract for an incumbent. The primary challenge for an SME would be demonstrating the capacity and financial stability to meet the stock-holding and consistent supply requirements.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT Filename: Invitation to Tender Haemodialysis On-Off packs.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified in the provided text.
• Contact Email / Clarification Portal: eTenders question and answers function (www.etenders.gov.ie)
• Key Attachments:
• Appendix 1 – Form of Tender
• Appendix 2 – European Single Procurement Document (ESPD)
• Appendix 3 – Draft Framework Agreement Terms and Conditions