Planning

Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS)

NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Apr 2024 at 15:02

Summary of the contracting process

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is planning a tender for a Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS) to enhance the efficiency and safety of the automatic dispensing process. The Trust aims to replace its existing system to improve stock holding volumes and output values. The tender, worth £5,000,000 GBP, is in the planning stage and will involve the acquisition of a system that includes dispensing solutions, controlled drug storage, and interfaces with existing pharmacy software. The futureNoticeDate for this tender is April 1, 2025, and the delivery address is specified for Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Norwich, United Kingdom.

This opportunity presents potential suppliers with a chance to provide innovative pharmacy automation solutions to a major healthcare institution. Businesses in the automation system industry category, particularly those experienced in providing pharmacy dispensing technology and software interfaces, would be well-suited to compete. The tender offers the opportunity to work closely with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to ensure regulatory compliance, safety, efficiency, and accuracy in pharmacy operations. Interested suppliers can contact the Trust's designated contact person, Nathan Griffen, for further details and clarification.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS)

Notice Description

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) is looking to replace its existing Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS) to improve the efficiency and safety of the automatic dispensing process, improve stock holding volumes, and input and output vales.<br/><br/>The pharmacy department issues approximately 37,000 inpatient, outpatient, and discharge items a month, which is an equivalent of 9,250 per week.<br/><br/>The pharmacy department also issues approximately 20,000 ward stock items per month, equivalent to 5,000 items issued per week.<br/><br/>Over 200 unique items are delivered daily from wholesalers and suppliers, originating from 6500 ordered items a month.<br/><br/>The NNUH Pharmacy Department currently uses System C (previously known as JAC) as the pharmacy stock control system (PSC) and dispensing software.<br/><br/>The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Pharmacy department and James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) Pharmacy department (Great Yarmouth) share PSC software (System C (JAC)) on a locality basis, and this would require an interface with any future ADS system.<br/><br/>Both NNUH and JPUH will be acquiring an electronic patient record (EPR) supplied by Meditech (Expanse) in the future and there may be a requirement for an interface with the EPR supplier.<br/><br/>SOLUTION<br/>The supplier is asked to provide a solution for pharmacy dispensing and ward stock top-ups as well as a cabinet for the storage and dispensing of controlled drugs.<br/><br/>The supplier MUST be responsible for ascertaining interface requirements from System C (JAC)<br/><br/>The supplier is required to provide System C (JAC) with information and technical advice / support throughout the project.<br/><br/>The supplier MUST be responsible for liaising with System C (JAC) to resolve all interface issues between the ADS and pharmacy software.<br/><br/>The technical requirements of the specified system MUST be specified to include all power requirements, including computer and network connections. Please provide any details of electrical works and data network requirements for the normal functioning of the ADS.<br/><br/>The environmental conditions required for system operation MUST be supplied. The proposed ADS will be set in a temperature-controlled environment, however, to cover temperature excursions, information regarding operating conditions for temperature, heat and humidity must be supplied.<br/><br/>The supplier should be able to produce bespoke or standardised reports on request by the Trust. Details surrounding available reports should be provided, including any additional costs for bespoke reports.<br/><br/>The ADS MUST meet regulatory compliance for the identification, handling, and storage of data, including GS1.<br/><br/>The service life of the proposed ADS should provide full operating capacity for the life of the contract, with the option of upgrades due to development of technology and innovation.<br/><br/>The Pharmacy department would like to utilise automatic labelling applications (dispensing) technology to improve safety, efficiency, and accuracy, whilst not reducing the output speed to ward boxes. Please state the maximum speeds obtainable, and how this will be achieved.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to understand the current market position with regards to Pharmacy Automated Dispensing Systems and to obtain high level proposals from suppliers which meet our requirements; proposals must include indicative costs and highlight potential areas for innovation to ensure a future-proofed system based on our requirements.

Information will be used to inform a business case and support requests for funding. Once approved; NNUH intend to publish invitation to tender (ITT) documents under the East of England Collaborative Procurement Hub (EoECPH) - Pharmacy Automation Solutions Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).

If you would like to be invited to further competition, but are not presently awarded on to the DPS, please contact the Hub using the details below:

Contact name: Joe Bassett
Contact email: pharmacy@eoecph.nhs.uk
Contact number: 01223 616 356

For any other queries please submit using the messaging facility provided within the eCommercial System https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome. Additional information: Potential Providers may raise questions or seek clarification regarding any aspect of this PIN at any time prior to the clarification deadline.

Questions must be submitted using the messaging facility provided within the eCommercial System https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

NNUH will not enter into exclusive discussions regarding the requirements of this PIN with Potential Providers.

To ensure that all Potential Providers have equal access to information regarding this PIN, NNUH will publish all its responses to questions raised by Potential Providers on an anonymous basis.

Responses will be published in a questions and answers document to all Potential Providers.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0453c5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012872-2024
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems


CPV Codes

48921000 - Automation system

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Apr 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Mar 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORFOLK AND NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Nathan Griffen
Contact Email
nathan.griffen@nnuh.nhs.uk
Contact Phone
+44 01603288274

Buyer Location

Locality
NORWICH
Postcode
NR4 7UY
Post Town
Norwich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH5 Norfolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH53 Breckland and South Norfolk
Delivery Location
TLH15 Norwich and East Norfolk

Local Authority
South Norfolk
Electoral Ward
Cringleford
Westminster Constituency
South Norfolk

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0453c5-2024-04-19T16:02:06+01:00",
    "date": "2024-04-19T16:02:06+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0453c5",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "C257797",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS)",
        "status": "planned",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "48921000",
            "description": "Automation system"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "description": "Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) is looking to replace its existing Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS) to improve the efficiency and safety of the automatic dispensing process, improve stock holding volumes, and input and output vales.<br/><br/>The pharmacy department issues approximately 37,000 inpatient, outpatient, and discharge items a month, which is an equivalent of 9,250 per week.<br/><br/>The pharmacy department also issues approximately 20,000 ward stock items per month, equivalent to 5,000 items issued per week.<br/><br/>Over 200 unique items are delivered daily from wholesalers and suppliers, originating from 6500 ordered items a month.<br/><br/>The NNUH Pharmacy Department currently uses System C (previously known as JAC) as the pharmacy stock control system (PSC) and dispensing software.<br/><br/>The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Pharmacy department and James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) Pharmacy department (Great Yarmouth) share PSC software (System C (JAC)) on a locality basis, and this would require an interface with any future ADS system.<br/><br/>Both NNUH and JPUH will be acquiring an electronic patient record (EPR) supplied by Meditech (Expanse) in the future and there may be a requirement for an interface with the EPR supplier.<br/><br/>SOLUTION<br/>The supplier is asked to provide a solution for pharmacy dispensing and ward stock top-ups as well as a cabinet for the storage and dispensing of controlled drugs.<br/><br/>The supplier MUST be responsible for ascertaining interface requirements from System C (JAC)<br/><br/>The supplier is required to provide System C (JAC) with information and technical advice / support throughout the project.<br/><br/>The supplier MUST be responsible for liaising with System C (JAC) to resolve all interface issues between the ADS and pharmacy software.<br/><br/>The technical requirements of the specified system MUST be specified to include all power requirements, including computer and network connections. Please provide any details of electrical works and data network requirements for the normal functioning of the ADS.<br/><br/>The environmental conditions required for system operation MUST be supplied. The proposed ADS will be set in a temperature-controlled environment, however, to cover temperature excursions, information regarding operating conditions for temperature, heat and humidity must be supplied.<br/><br/>The supplier should be able to produce bespoke or standardised reports on request by the Trust. Details surrounding available reports should be provided, including any additional costs for bespoke reports.<br/><br/>The ADS MUST meet regulatory compliance for the identification, handling, and storage of data, including GS1.<br/><br/>The service life of the proposed ADS should provide full operating capacity for the life of the contract, with the option of upgrades due to development of technology and innovation.<br/><br/>The Pharmacy department would like to utilise automatic labelling applications (dispensing) technology to improve safety, efficiency, and accuracy, whilst not reducing the output speed to ward boxes. Please state the maximum speeds obtainable, and how this will be achieved.",
        "value": {
            "amount": 5000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to understand the current market position with regards to Pharmacy Automated Dispensing Systems and to obtain high level proposals from suppliers which meet our requirements; proposals must include indicative costs and highlight potential areas for innovation to ensure a future-proofed system based on our requirements.<br/><br/>Information will be used to inform a business case and support requests for funding. Once approved; NNUH intend to publish invitation to tender (ITT) documents under the East of England Collaborative Procurement Hub (EoECPH) - Pharmacy Automation Solutions Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).<br/><br/>If you would like to be invited to further competition, but are not presently awarded on to the DPS, please contact the Hub using the details below:<br/><br/>Contact name: Joe Bassett<br/>Contact email: pharmacy@eoecph.nhs.uk<br/>Contact number: 01223 616 356<br/><br/>For any other queries please submit using the messaging facility provided within the eCommercial System https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome. Additional information: Potential Providers may raise questions or seek clarification regarding any aspect of this PIN at any time prior to the clarification deadline.<br/><br/>Questions must be submitted using the messaging facility provided within the eCommercial System https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.<br/><br/>NNUH will not enter into exclusive discussions regarding the requirements of this PIN with Potential Providers.<br/><br/>To ensure that all Potential Providers have equal access to information regarding this PIN, NNUH will publish all its responses to questions raised by Potential Providers on an anonymous basis.<br/><br/>Responses will be published in a questions and answers document to all Potential Providers.",
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKH15"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "Norfolk and Norwich Univeristy Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7UY"
                },
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
            "atypicalToolUrl": "https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome"
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-48544",
            "name": "Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Colney Lane",
                "locality": "Norwich",
                "region": "UKH15",
                "postalCode": "NR4 7UY",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Nathan Griffen",
                "telephone": "+44 01603288274",
                "email": "nathan.griffen@nnuh.nhs.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.nnuh.nhs.uk",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.nnuh.nhs.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
                        "description": "Body governed by public law"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "id": "07",
                        "description": "Health"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-48544",
        "name": "Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust"
    },
    "language": "en"
}