---
title: "NHS Scotland Assure Research Service Commissioning Partner"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-02bac6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02bac6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02bac6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02bac6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE COMMON SERVICES AGENCY (MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS NHS NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND) (\"NSS\")"
published: "2022-02-09"
---

# NHS Scotland Assure Research Service Commissioning Partner

Buyer: THE COMMON SERVICES AGENCY (MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS NHS NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND) ("NSS")  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-02bac6

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## Summary

The NHS Scotland Assure Research Service is currently in the active phase of its procurement process, seeking a lead agency to manage a portfolio of research projects. This initiative, classified under research services within the healthcare industry, is being conducted by The Common Services Agency (NHS National Services Scotland) from their Edinburgh headquarters. The procurement method used is an open procedure, with a contract value set at £1,000,000, and key submission dates include a tender end date of 10th September 2021.

This contract represents a significant opportunity for research agencies and consultancy firms specialising in healthcare-related studies. Businesses with expertise in assessing and managing research projects, particularly those focusing on healthcare environments and infection prevention, will find this tender relevant. Additionally, companies with strong capabilities in governance, service delivery planning, and competitive pricing are encouraged to participate, as these are critical criteria in the award process. This procurement not only supports NHS Scotland's mission but also positions successful bidders strategically within the healthcare research landscape.

## Notice

The NHS Scotland Assure Research, Development & Innovation Service seeks to award a contract for a lead agency to support the assessment, management and administration of a portfolio of research projects. The successful bidder will be expected to support the assessment of calls alongside NHS Scotland Assure and facilitate and manage associated research projects, in alignment to specific research needs and priorities as defined by NHS Scotland Assure. The successful bidder will ensure the implementation of appropriate oversight and governance structures and processes for research commissioning and management; inclusive of overall responsibility for the administration and management of agreed third party funds. The NHS Scotland Assure Research, Development and Innovation service is a service whose remit is to achieve a coordinated research portfolio, supporting the development of evidence-based guidance and research, to deliver safe healthcare environments that are free from avoidable risk. Further to the above, the service will seek to ensure that the most up to date and robust research is translated into practice as new and emerging evidence become available. The service will share best practice and changes in standards/models for the built environment (as detailed in the scope below) across the world to inform and learn from guidance and capital projects. Alongside identification, prioritisation and coordination of research areas and activities the service will cultivate and sustain international connections with built environment and IP&C subject matter experts, healthcare providers, academia and research institutions. The service will commission, tender and disseminate research worldwide whilst working alongside other NHS Scotland Assure services (e.g. Assurance and Guidance) to identify priority research needs and ensure they are aware of, and respond to, findings of published research as it becomes available. This will not only support NHS Scotland Health Boards to increase their knowledge to manage built environment risks, but will also ensure Scotland is recognised internationally as an expert in the field. The scope of research areas includes, but is not limited to; - Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of water systems including drainage- - Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of Ventilation systems - Pathogens, the microbiome, AMR, transmission risks and burden of disease in the hospital environment - Hospital design including size and single room provision; e.g. hand wash basin provision / waterless / surface design to reduce transmission - The built environment post-pandemic and lessons learned from COVID-19 - Human factors/Ergonomics and Infection Prevention and Control in hospital design and the built environment and how it is used - Climate change requirements and the unintended consequences on built environment risks - The role of safety and harms in relation to medical gases, electrical systems and fire safety, and their impact on patient and staff safety in the hospital environment

### Lot Information

Lot 1

This requirement comes under the scope of Research and development services as defined within Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 therefore the provisions of the regulations do not apply to this procurement process. However, to identify a suitable Research Partner the Authority has elected to conduct a light touch procurement process following the principles of transparency, equal treatment, non-discrimination, and proportionality.

Options: The estimated value of the contract may increase should additional funding streams become available.

Renewal: 2 x 12 month optional extensions

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003688-2022 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 9 Feb 2022 |
| Submission deadline | 10 Sep 2021 |
| Future notice date | 11 Jul 2021 |
| Award date | 21 Jan 2022 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £4,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £1,150,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE COMMON SERVICES AGENCY (MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS NHS NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND) ("NSS") |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH12 9EB |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | Drum Brae/Gyle |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh South West |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services
- 73110000 - Research services

## Release History

- 9 Feb 2022 at 10:35 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003688-2022
- 28 Jul 2021 at 14:54 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017960-2021
- 12 Jul 2021 at 11:45 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016212-2021
- 11 Jun 2021 at 08:05 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013139-2021

## Notice URLs

- http://www.nss.nhs.scot/browse/procurement-and-logistics
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000659185
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA11883
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02bac6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02bac6.json.