Nurse Call System Upgrade at St James's Hospital

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 tender involves upgrading or replacing the nurse call system at the MISA building on the St James's Hospital campus. The current system is outdated, with limited spare parts availability, necessitating this procurement. The contractor will implement an IP-based Nurse Call System with intelligent network subscribers and interactive data exchange.

• System Design: The system should include IP-Zone controllers networked via IP, with devices like nurse station IP touch panels and patient IP handsets connected over designated IP cabling.
• Integration: Existing IP topology and cabling should be repurposed where possible, with corridor electronic modules and interface units connected via priority cabling.
• Power Support: The system must be fully supported during power failures, with existing UPS systems maintained and batteries upgraded as needed.
• Communication Features: The system should support SIP-enabled speech between nurse stations and patient rooms, with automatic event prioritization and a "follow the light" system for cardiac arrests.
• User Interface: IP Touch Nurse station master terminals should have full graphic displays, SIP-enabled, with options for desk or wall mounting.
• Corridor Displays: Large displays should announce call activity with audio tones to distinguish call types and priorities.
• Bedside Units: Equipped with call buttons, magnetic socket systems for auxiliary devices, and intercom functionality.
• En-suite WC Units: Wall-mounted call units with reset and staff assist functions, ceiling-mounted pull cords, and corridor indicator lamps.
• System Management: The system should allow for room data management, zone assignments, and integration with third-party systems like Wander Alarm and Fire Detection.

3. Background & buyer context

St James's Hospital is procuring this system due to the obsolescence of the current nurse call system in the MISA building. The existing system is no longer manufactured, and spare parts are scarce. The Facilities Management department aims to select a cost-effective solution to ensure continuous and efficient communication within the hospital. This procurement aligns with the hospital's strategic goal of maintaining high standards of patient care and safety through reliable communication systems.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer Liability: €13m
• Public Liability: €6.5m
• Professional Liability: €6.5m
• 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.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The price/quality split follows the MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) principle. Specific scoring thresholds are not detailed in the documents.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Not specified.
• CVs: Not specified.
• Pricing schedule: Not specified.
• Case studies: Not specified.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: eTenders, with no specific format rules mentioned.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract terms include a structure for term and extension, though specifics are not disclosed. Payment terms, key SLAs/KPIs, and liquidated damages or penalty regimes are not detailed. Termination clauses, IP ownership, sub-contracting rules, and parent-company guarantee or bond requirements are not specified in the documents provided.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender's insurance requirements are notably high, potentially limiting the bidder pool to larger firms with substantial coverage. The lack of specified turnover requirements and past experience criteria may indicate flexibility but also create uncertainty about the competitive landscape. The absence of detailed award criteria and scoring mechanisms could lead to ambiguity in bid evaluation.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is likely suited for medium to large firms with experience in healthcare communication systems, given the high insurance requirements. The lack of specified turnover or past experience criteria may allow smaller firms to participate, but the technical complexity suggests a need for specialized expertise. Consortium or sub-contracting arrangements are not mentioned, implying a preference for single-entity bids. Bid preparation effort is indeterminate due to unspecified submission requirements, but the technical nature suggests a moderate to high effort. The incumbent's strength is unknown, and no past winners are named.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename(s): Not specified.
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email or clarification portal: Not specified.
• Important attachments:
• "Appendix A-MISA Nurse call system upgrade.pdf"
• "Appendix D-Asset Register- MISA Nurse Call System.pdf"
• "Appendix E-E001 - NURSE CALL - GROUND FLOOR - MAIN BUILDING - A0 - AS BUILT-Work.pdf"