Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWVFT) were aware of NOE CPC and our reputation for dealing with complex procurement projects and approached us when their current Pharmaceutical Service was due to end.

The new service needed to be delivered by a single supplier but expanded to encapsulate all hospital inpatient units and community premises across the full geographical area of the trust (Durham, Darlington, Tees and North East Yorkshire).

Due to the area expansion there were many stakeholders, finance and clinical leads contributing to the procurement project group each with requirements that needed to be considered in order to define the scope of the project. NOE CPC worked with the project group, understood the needs and expectations of the Trust and supported them to compile a procurement timeline through to contract award.

At the preliminary stage a bidder event was hosted at the Trust in order to engage with the market and outline the proposed tender requirements and the feasability of suppliers delivering them. We then worked with the Trust to develop the PQQ and MOI documentation, evaluation criteria and strategy. NOE CPC provided full project management utilising our e-tendering and e-evaluation systems to publish and review the relevant PQQ and ITT documents and maintain an electronic audit trail. We managed all the bidder communications and correspondence and supported bidders throughout the tender process, during the clarification period of the tender, and as required with regards to the use of the system. The contract award notification, standstill and bidder feedback was also managed by NOE CPC.

The project was successfully completed within the proposed timescale of six months, achieving the aims of MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender). The contract was awarded to an experienced provider who was able to maintain, and in many instances improve on, the current service both in clinical and financial terms for the Trust.

“I highly recommend the consultancy services provided by NOE CPC. Thanks to the skills and expertise provided by Francis Guise our tender for Pharmacy Supply and Dispensing Services was well planned and ran to schedule. With his sound knowledge and professional approach he steered us through all stages of contracting requirements to a successful outcome. Francis was a great source of advice and support throughout the process, he was very approachable and always responded quickly to any queries we had."
Sue Hunter, Chief Pharmacist, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust