Laboratory services

Description

NHSBT is a Special Health Authority, responsible for the provision of blood components and tissues and a range of associated specialist laboratory and patient therapeutic services. The authority’s testing function performs Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAT) Testing which is the screening of blood, tissue and stem cell donations for detection of hepatitis C (HCV) ribonucleic acid (RNA), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA, hepatitis B (HBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and west nile virus (WNV) RNA using automation systems. This VEAT is for a direct award to the current NAT provider due to the Covid-19 and NHSBT's ongoing response to the pandemic. The project team and operational teams manufacturing development team (MDT), testing and IT) have all been required to work on high priority Covid-19 activities. There are no alternative providers of technical input into any tender. This award is for a 12-month contract (October 2020-October 2021) using Regulation 32 (2) (c). This VEAT outlines a direct award to NHSBT's current NAT provider due to NHSBT's Testing resource being diverted to the front line for Covid-19.