Bid Management of Managed Equipment Service Bid Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust (“the Trust”)

In May 2000 the Trust placed an OJEC Notice in the European Journal asking for bids for a 15 year contract to provide, maintain and replace as necessary all of the medical, imaging and pathology equipment in the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital at Woolwich in South London.

United Healthcare put together a consortium for the project, which included Toshiba Medical Systems, Agilent Technologies and Singer & Friedlander Leasing.

The first step in the procurement process was the submission of the consortium’s response to the Trust’s pre-qualification questionnaire; this was submitted in June 2000.
In July the Trust announced that the UHC consortium was 1 of 3 to prequalify for the bid; the other 2 acceptable bidders were Siemens and GE Medical.

From mid July to the end of August the Trust provided the 3 bidders with information and data on their requirements, and, in mid September all 3 submitted bids.

UHC prepared a much more detailed and comprehensive submission than our competitors; this included detailed analyses and pricing of all items for the 15-year contract, together with a very competitive fixed interest rate funding package for the entire contract period.

In late September we were advised that the Trust required BAFO (Best and Final Offer) bids from UHC and Siemens. At the same time the Trust provided clarification of certain issues, which enabled us to find further savings, and make an even more competitive BAFO bid.

In early November 2000 we were confirmed as preferred bidders for the £50m 15 year contract, and we commenced detailed equipment audit and analyses, as well as the legal and financial due diligence process.

Financial close was reached in September 2001 with Toshiba Medical Systems entering into a contract with the Trust, and UHC providing the implementation and management of the project.