Service agreement for the provision of toxicology laboratory services for ethylene glycol and methanol analysis

Location

Somerset NHS Foundation Sites

Description

The Toxicology laboratory provides an urgent service for ethylene glycol or methanol analysis for the management of patients following known or suspected ingestion.

Total Quantity or Scope

Service agreement for the provision of toxicology laboratory services for ethylene glycol and methanol analysis.The Toxicology laboratory provides an urgent service for ethylene glycol or methanol analysis for the management of patients following known or suspected ingestion. This notice is an intention to award a contract under the most suitable provider process.The approximate lifetime value of the contract is £3000.00.This is a new service with a new provider.The dates between which the services are intended to be provided are between May 2026 and April 2028.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85111800 - Pathology services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by midnight on 24 April 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR'.

Other Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) confirmation of contract award notice. This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.The decision makers were: Service Manager for Pathology, Bereavement & Spiritual Care Services Clinical Support & Cancer Services Directorate.No conflicts of interest were declared among decision makers.The key criteria were weighted as follows:25% quality and Innovation20% Value20% Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability25% Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice10% Social valueThe highest weightings have been applied to Quality and Innovation and Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice as fast access to critical toxicology diagnostics is essential for this service. Value is important and faster results reduce the need for unnecessary antidote treatment or dialysis, which are high‑cost interventions.The rationale for choosing the provider with reference to the key criteria:The supplier are the closest specialist toxicology provider capable of performing both methanol and ethylene glycol testing in‑house.Key benefits include:• Minimising transport time• Reducing delays in diagnosis• Ensuring urgent samples can be processed rapidly• Providing direct access to specialist adviceBy using this supplier patients in Somerset benefit from faster, reliable access to critical toxicology diagnostics.