TB Testing Tender
UPDATE: 3rd April 2012 - Click here to read the latest update
Outline of Proposal
NADIS will be submitting a response to the request for bids when it is issued. We have drafted a statement below to explain our position
NADIS is proposing to coordinate the TB tender
process on behalf of vets who wish to participate, across several
regions of England and Wales in order to ensure a consistent
response that is fair to all vets whatever their size or location
such that a tender reflecting "best practice" can be submitted to
Defra giving all participating vets the best chance of a successful
outcome.
In common with the rest of the industry, NADIS believes that vets
are best placed to deliver the best overall solution to the TB
testing issue and this is best achieved through direct interaction
between the vet and his clients.
Vets are also best placed to deliver the key messages regarding
animal health and welfare, leading to improved farm productivity
and profitability. Maintaining the strong link and regular
contact between farmer and vet is an essential part of this
process.
NADIS is concerned to maintain the status quo in this respect and
believes that as a totally independent body it can genuinely assist
all vets to achieve a successful bid outcome.
We understand that many practices have already formed themselves
into groups to prepare for the bidding process. We would be
happy to help you. Please contact us if you would like to see
how can work together.
If you are still trying to decide what approach to take and would
like to discuss it with us, please feel free to contact us at any
time.
We delighted to report that we have already received much support
from veterinary practices in all areas of the country. For each
region we have a vet who has offered to act as regional
coordinator. Hopefully you will be hearing from him/her
fairly soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions
please feel free to contact your regional coordinator ( see
below). We would like to hear from you.
We have prepared some FAQ's that should
answer some of your initial questions. We will be adding to
this as the process gathers momentum.
Mike Howe B Vet Med MRCVS
To view an online video recording where Chris Watson outlines the main principles of the NADIS TB bid CLICK HERE.
Click the video to play the recording, the slides will change in line with Chris' talk, alternatively you can also click on a slide to jump to that point in the webinar.
- What are some of the common problems
facing vets who wish to respond to the invitation to
tender?
- What are some of the potential problems
for successful bidders?
- So, what is the NADIS
proposal?
- Why is this a good
thing?
- OK, so why NADIS?
- How will the tender process work for
participating practices?
- How will regional reps be
chosen?
- What about area with lower testing
frequencies, where income from testing represents a smaller
proportion of the practice income?
- Assuming a successful outcome, how will
the vets ensure the proper management of the contact on their
behalf?
- What do you do if you would like to be part of this bid, or for more information?
What are some of the common problems facing vets who wish to respond to the invitation to tender?
Animal Health is looking for bids that cover a larger geographical
area than that covered by most vet practices.
This means that vets will have to form themselves into bidding
groups.
Each group will have to go through the same process to agree
on
- Pricing
- Added value services
- Quality assurance
The tender process is complicated and someone will have to take on this responsibility and allocate the time to getting this process correct on behalf of the group.
Unless the bidding group has contact with other groups they will not know if their approach to pricing, value added services and quality control is in any way similar to that of other bidders. This could be a serious disadvantage.
This will be repeated by groups all over the country. Back
What are some of the potential problems for successful bidders?
There may be significantly more administration required. There is no information about this at present, but it may well result in additional resources (people, office space etc.) being required and the 'centralisation' of admin within the successful group.
The management of the contract will enable Animal Health to put the supply of veterinary services 'onto a more robust contractual basis'. This will require someone to pay close attention to the ongoing management of the contract on behalf of the bidding group. Back
So, what is the NADIS proposal?
NADIS is proposing to coordinate the tender process on behalf of vets across all regions in order to ensure a consistent response that is fair to all vets whatever their size or location. Back
This will enable a bid to be submitted that encapsulates all of the best elements from all regions.
By consolidating input from across the country we can share the views of all vets to arrive at a bid with the best chance of success for all. Back
NADIS has a reputation for being fair, independent, and with no
political bias.
NADIS can coordinate a response both by region (area) and
nationally.
NADIS will work with all groups to identify local issues and agree how best to represent this within the overall bid.
NADIS can act as independent broker between practices and regions to define and refine the contents of the bid.
NADIS can centralise any additional admin to leave vets to do what they do best.
NADIS will manage the contract with Defra on behalf of all participating vets.
NADIS will work with all vets to ensure that agreed measures for quality control and value added services are properly recorded and maintained.
NADIS can be the national voice for all vets in matters relating to the contract. Everyone wishing to be heard will be heard.
NADIS has an excellent track record of working with vets, farmers and industry bodies across the country for over 15 years. Back
Our primary objective is to help vets retain their current working practices with regard to testing as far as possible. It is recognised that the best overall solution would be for vets to continue testing for their own clients and thereby maintaining the continued contact between vet and farmer. NADIS would like to help to make that happen.
By working together on this tender towards a successful outcome, NADIS will establish wider and closer links with practices across the country. This will enable more people to benefit from increased opportunities to deliver animal health and welfare knowledge transfer to the farming community. This has to be a good thing.
There is no intention for NADIS to decide on, or to engineer any outcomes, but purely to deliver a coordinated response that has taken and fairly considered input from all those who wish to contribute. Back
How will the tender process work for participating practices?
Wherever possible, NADIS will establish a relationship with a number of practices in each region. These practices will act as coordinators/spokespersons for a group of practices.
By working with these regional representatives we can gather information from all areas and consolidate that into a common bid.
This will help to establish workable processes for value added services.
NADIS will work with Defra/Animal Health to define and agree sensible quality procedures. Back
How will regional steering groups be chosen?
The vets in a region will elect them. The steering group will formulate regional policy, including the development of added value services. Back
What about area with lower testing frequencies, where income from testing represents a smaller proportion of the practice income?
NADIS recognises that there are significant differences in different parts of the country. In these areas the cost and effort of putting together a bid is proportionately much higher and may be a real barrier. NADIS will do this for you, although we still need your input, as we believe that all vets would prefer to retain this work, at the right rate, rather than give it away. Back
Assuming a successful outcome, how will the vets ensure the proper management of the contact on their behalf?
The steering panel, elected by the practices in a region will monitor the proper management of the contract, and be represented on the board of directors. Back
What do you do if you would like to be part of this bid, or for more information?
Contact NADIS by email:
Northern Regions - Andrew
White andrew.white@nadis.org.uk
Midlands - Gloucs/Wilts - Chris Watson - chriswatson@nadis.org.uk
Wales - Mike Howe - mike.howe@nadis.org.uk