Project Management Diagnostic Schemes

Location

Lancaster

Description

The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is procuring project management services to support delivery of a portfolio of diagnostic and imaging schemes across its estate. The programme includes equipment replacement, capacity expansion and service improvements to meet demand and regulatory requirements. Services include full project management support, covering planning, stakeholder coordination, risk and cost management, procurement, and oversight of works. The contract is awarded via direct award under the NHS SBS Healthcare Planning framework (SBS10190), enabling timely mobilisation, continuity of expertise and value for money.Services include full project management support, covering planning, stakeholder coordination, risk and cost management, procurement, and oversight of works.

Total Quantity or Scope

The contract covers the provision of project management services to support delivery of a portfolio of diagnostic and imaging schemes across the Trust’s estate. These schemes include replacement of end of life equipment, capacity expansion and modernisation works to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and meet increasing patient demand. The supplier provides comprehensive project management support, including development of project briefs, stakeholder coordination, programme and risk management, cost control, procurement support and oversight of works through to completion. The contract has been awarded via a direct award under the NHS SBS Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services Framework (SBS10190). A direct award was justified due to the time critical nature of the programme, where delays would impact clinical service delivery, alongside the need to maintain continuity with an incumbent supplier already embedded within the Trust. This approach avoids mobilisation delays, preserves critical project knowledge and ensures value for money through framework benchmarked rates, while remaining compliant with Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 72224000 - Project management consultancy services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

An accelerated approach was required due to the time critical nature of the diagnostic programme, which includes replacement of end of life equipment and delivery of capacity expansion schemes essential to maintaining safe, resilient and compliant clinical services. Any delay to procurement would risk disruption to patient pathways, increased waiting times, failure to meet statutory and NHS performance requirements, and potential loss or deferral of allocated capital funding. A standard procurement process would have introduced delays of approximately 10–12 weeks, adversely impacting delivery milestones for schemes required within the current financial year and for future phases. Several projects are non discretionary, with ageing equipment presenting a material risk of service failure if not delivered within required timescales. Continuity of delivery is also critical, as the supplier is already embedded within the Trust with established knowledge of sites, governance processes and live schemes. Introducing a new supplier would require onboarding and mobilisation, creating duplication, loss of programme momentum and increased delivery risk. The accelerated approach has been undertaken in a compliant manner through a direct award under the NHS SBS Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services Framework (SBS10190), which expressly permits direct call-off where suitability, capability and value for money can be demonstrated. This ensures adherence to Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Trust governance requirements while avoiding unnecessary delay. This approach enables immediate mobilisation of experienced resources, maintains continuity across complex and interdependent schemes, and mitigates operational, financial and clinical risks associated with delay, while remaining fully compliant with procurement regulations.

Other Information

This contract was awarded via direct award under the NHS SBS Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services Framework (SBS10190), in accordance with the framework provisions and Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Trust has demonstrated the supplier’s suitability, capability and value for money through benchmarking against framework rates and prior performance. The approach ensures continuity of service, avoids delays associated with a full procurement process and enables timely delivery of a portfolio of time critical diagnostic schemes. All relevant approvals and governance processes have been followed, and records retained for audit purposes.