NHS Cervical Screening Programme - London HPV Primary Screening and Cytology Laboratory Services

Tender description

Intention to award a contract for the London HPV primary screening and cytology laboratory service to the existing provider, Health Services Laboratories LLP, under Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime. Estimated lifetime value £47,550,781. Lot 1: This notice relates to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme HPV primary screening and cytology laboratory service for London. The service receives and processes cervical screening samples from GP practices, sexual health services and NHS Trusts across London, and comprises HPV primary screening, cytology, integrated sample collection and transportation, automated reporting of results, colposcopy referral processes, maintenance of the London sample taker database (including the sample taker escalation process with NHS England and ICBs) and specialist support to Trust multidisciplinary teams. NHS England - London Region intends to award a contract to the existing provider, Health Services Laboratories LLP (HSL), following Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime, in accordance with Regulations 6(5) and 9 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The relevant authority is satisfied that the existing provider is satisfying the existing contract to a sufficient standard and is likely to satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard, and that the proposed contracting arrangements are not changing considerably from the existing contract (the considerable change threshold is not met). The existing contract expires on 30 November 2026. The new contract will commence on 1 December 2026 for an initial term ending 31 March 2028, with the option to extend for two further periods of up to 12 months each (to 31 March 2030 if both options are exercised), at the sole discretion of the relevant authority. The contract will be let under the NHS Standard Contract. The estimated lifetime value of the contract is £47,550,781 (excluding VAT), inclusive of both optional extension periods. Activity-based service line - London HPV Self-Sampling Programme. The contract includes a service line for the processing of HPV self-sampling tests under the London HPV Self-Sampling Programme, a regional initiative aimed at improving cervical screening uptake among individuals who are at least six months overdue for routine screening. Self-sampling kits are offered through participating GP practices, with samples processed and results reported by the provider. This service line is commissioned on an activity basis and paid at an agreed local price per test processed. No minimum or guaranteed activity volumes are committed, as actual activity will depend on programme implementation, participation by GP practices and individual uptake. The programme is currently operating as a pilot, and its continuation and future scope will be subject to evaluation and commissioning decisions. Activity-based service line - National HPV Self-Sampling. The contract includes a service line for the processing of HPV self-sampling tests under the national self-sampling programme for under-screened individuals, which is nationally mandated. This service line is commissioned on an activity basis and is paid at a fixed local price per test processed. No minimum or guaranteed volumes are committed and no fixed service levels apply to this service line; activity will depend on uptake, which is driven by factors outside the control of the relevant authority and the provider, including national policy, invitation volumes and individual take-up. Any value attributed to this service line in this notice is indicative only, based on current planning assumptions, and actual payments may be higher or lower. Activity is expected to be highest in the first contract year and to reduce thereafter, with the same HPV test provided through a different sample route under national policy. Anticipated reduction in activity. Following the national introduction of extended screening intervals, overall screening activity is expected to reduce by approximately 28% in the optional extension years, as eligible individuals will be invited for screening less frequently. Variations in contract value arising from changes in activity volumes, or from nationally determined price changes, result from external factors beyond the control of the relevant authority and do not constitute a change to the contracting arrangements. Mixed procurement. The main subject matter of the contract is the provision of health care services under the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. Sample collection and transport, sample taker database management and associated reporting functions are integral to the safe delivery of the screening pathway and could not reasonably be supplied separately. The estimated lifetime value of the in-scope health care services exceeds that of the supporting elements, and the contract meets the requirements of Regulation 3 for a mixed procurement.