Award Notice - Genomics Testing - NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) External Quality Assessment (EQA) service for the tests listed in the Genomic Test Directory

Concepts

• health services
• nhs genomic medicine service
• nhs arden
• greater east midlands commissioning support unit
• behalf of nhs england
• external quality assessment
• whole genome sequencing
• gms
• nhs genomic laboratory hub
• genomic test directory

Location

United Kingdom:

Description

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU), on behalf of NHS England (referred to as the Commissioner), is undertaking a market engagement exercise to understand the current and future capacity and capability of the providers and potential providers within this specialised area. Interested parties are encouraged to register their interest and participate in the market questionnaire which will provide feedback to commissioners.

Total Quantity or Scope

England (referred to as the Commissioner), is undertaking a market engagement exercise to understand the current and future capacity and capability of the providers and potential providers within this specialised area. Interested parties are encouraged to register their interest and participate in the market questionnaire which will provide feedback to commissioners. Please note that this is not a call for competition although the commissioner would encourage all potential providers to respond to this market engagement exercise. The outcome of this market engagement will help inform commissioners of the current and future capacity and capability of the market and will be considered to inform the commissioning approach. Interested parties are encouraged to register their interest only if they are able to deliver the full list of the requirements. Participation to this market engagement will close at 12 noon of Monday 12th December 2022. The NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub (GLH) Service Specification requires each NHS GLH to: • Deliver the genomic tests which are prescribed in the NHS National Genomic Testing Directory (the Directory); • Participate and achieve satisfactory performance in UKAS-accredited (or newly developed pilots offered in compliance with ISO 17043) external quality assurance schemes to assure the tests prescribed in the Directory, including Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), in eight main quality assurance areas (shown in the requirements). The anticipated contract duration for this service is 2 years, with an option to extend the contract by a further 12 month period at the Commissioner’s discretion. It is possible that as a result of this exercise, a formal tender process will not be required but instead a simpler provider selection process will be undertaken. Where it is noted that competition is absent, direct awards may be considered. All providers will be notified of next steps following the conclusion of this market engagement exercise. NHS England (National) Specialised Commissioning is the contracting and commissioning authority for this service. To register your interest and access the questionnaire, please follow this link: https://uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=agcsu The project reference is 62185 and the closing date for submission of the completed questionnaire is: 12 noon Monday 12th December 2022.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** To realise the potential of genomics in healthcare, in 2018 NHS England established the NHS GMS, which created a step change in the use of genomics in clinical practice in the NHS. The NHS GMS built upon the existing NHS infrastructure and used learnings from the 100,000 Genomes Project. Importantly, it signalled a clear direction for the way in which cancer genomic testing would be funded and provided. The NHS GMS provides consistent and equitable genomically-informed care and treatment for England’s 55 million population with a: • consolidated national genomic laboratory network made up of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs) working together with standardisation and quality at the core and driving rapid adoption of technology and covering all types of testing inclusive of cancer genomics; • seven NHS GMS Alliances working together to support the clinical leadership and embedding of genomic medicine in end-to-end pathways more broadly and the working with other key clinical specialties and structures for example cancer alliances; • single mandated National Genomic Test Directory covering use of all technologies from single gene to whole genome sequencing inclusive of cancer and of genomic targets that enable enrolment into clinical trials; • clinical genomic services that diagnose and manage complex rare and inherited disease and the impact on both individuals and family members and provide genomic counselling and specialist advice for other specialities; • national genomic knowledge base to inform academic and industry research and discovery including design and development of clinical trials; • a partnership with Genomics England in support of delivery of the whole genome sequencing service and ongoing key research initiatives; and • national Genomics Unit in NHS England that provides strategic oversight, direction, commissioning and funding as well as performance monitoring.