Provision and Operation of an On-site Private MRI Service
Key criteria
1. Value – 35%
The Trust requires a sustainable commercial arrangement which provides an appropriate financial return from use of the Trust estate while placing the ordinary commercial and demand risks associated with the private MRI service with the provider.
The required commercial model comprises: a fixed annual site fee, increasing year on year; and a share of gross private MRI revenue attributable to activity delivered through the service.
The Term length will be for 24 months.
The fixed annual site fee will be payable irrespective of the level of private patient activity achieved. The provider will retain the ordinary commercial and demand risk associated with the private MRI service. The Trust will not guarantee any minimum level of referrals, scans, activity or revenue.
2. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability – 25%
The Trust requires an operating model under which the mobile MRI facility delivers private activity on four days a week. The provider will be responsible for an appropriate power solution, meeting Trust and local authority green initiatives.
3. Quality and innovation – 20%
The Trust requires a safe, high-quality and reliable private MRI service operating from a mobile or relocatable MRI facility on the Trust site. The provider must supply and maintain appropriate MRI equipment, suitably qualified staff, clinical governance and MRI safety arrangements, and a patient environment that is accessible, private and appropriate for private patients.
4. Social value – 12%
The Trust requires the provider to deliver measurable social value through the operation of the service, with particular focus on environmental sustainability, fair employment and benefit to the local community. This should include: minimising the environmental impact of the service, including energy use, emissions and waste; reducing reliance on diesel generation where a technically and commercially feasible lower-carbon alternative is available; supporting fair employment practices and workforce development; and creating appropriate opportunities for local employment or skills development or work experience.
5. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice – 8%
The service should provide an accessible and convenient private MRI pathway for self-pay, insured and other appropriately funded private patients.
Basic selection criteria
Potential providers will also be assessed against the basic selection criteria under the Provider Selection Regime.
Suitability to pursue the activity
Providers must hold all registrations, licences, approvals, insurance and governance arrangements required to provide private MRI diagnostic services from the Trust site.
Economic and financial standing
The provider must demonstrate sufficient economic and financial capacity and resilience to mobilise, operate and sustain the service throughout the proposed contract term and must maintain appropriate levels of professional indemnity and other relevant insurance. Economic and financial standing will be assessed using the Trust's standard Financial and Economic Standing Evaluation methodology. The assessment will include:
- D&B Risk Indicator;
- D&B Failure Score percentile;
- Net cash flow excluding dividend payments, including performance over the most recent three financial years;
- Net surplus/deficit margin before exceptional items, including performance over the most recent three financial years; and
- Gearing ratio, including performance over the most recent three financial years.
Technical and professional ability
The provider must demonstrate the necessary technical and professional ability to deliver MRI services of a comparable nature and scale. This will include appropriate experience, staffing, equipment, MRI safety, maintenance arrangements, clinical and operational capability, and business continuity arrangements.