Important Update on RFP for Community Lab Services – Advanced Market Notice
The Section of Laboratory Physicians has requested that AMA share the following with members for information and awareness.
On November 2, in partnership with Alberta Precision Laboratories, Alberta Health Services confirmed it is moving forward in the process to seek proposals from third parties for the provision of community lab services in Alberta.
We are sharing this information with you as key partners of AHS and APL. We are committed to providing timely and transparent information to you, and all stakeholders, as this process moves forward in the coming months.
An Advanced Market Notice was issued to notify proponents and other stakeholders about AHS’ intent to post a Request for Proposals to contract community laboratory services to external providers. The Advanced Market Notice is considered best practice to give proponents sufficient time to prepare proposals. The RFP will be issued on or before November 30, 2020 and will close in early 2021.
In December 2019, APL issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) to gauge private sector interest in supporting provision of community laboratory services across the province. The RFEOI concluded that an adequate numbers of qualified providers are interested in delivering private laboratory services across Alberta. Discussions between AHS and Alberta Health in recent weeks have determined the process will now proceed.
The decision to move ahead in the process to contract community lab services is consistent with recommendations made in the AHS Performance Review, which identified opportunities to build consistency and continuity into the current mixed model of community lab services being provided by both public and private-sector partners.
The RFP process is about finding partners who can help us deliver high quality laboratory services, for all Albertans, sustainably and efficiently. Contracting of community laboratory services through a competitive procurement and negotiation is estimated to result in $18 - $36 million in annual savings. That is money that can be invested elsewhere in the healthcare system, ensuring that use of healthcare dollars addresses the greatest areas of need in Alberta.
AHS and APL have secured a third-party sourcing facilitator to lead the procurement process, as well as provide advice, strategic planning and project facilitation as part of conducting a fair and transparent process. This facilitator was chosen through a public RFP process earlier this year.
APL staff and our union labor partners were notified of the next step in the RFP process earlier today. We have been as transparent as possible with our workforce, within the parameters of the RFP process. The Advanced Market Notice is another way we are ensuring the public, potential partners and our unions are aware of our plans as the process moves ahead.
The decision to move forward in this process is about the sustainability of lab services in Alberta, and the overall sustainability of the healthcare system. This is not a reflection on the quality of the work currently being completed by our APL teams. We are proud of all our dedicated laboratory professionals who contribute to providing high quality lab services in Alberta.
If you have any questions, please contact us anytime.
Tammy Hofer, Chief Operating Officer, APL
Dr. Carolyn O’Hara, Chief Medical Laboratory Officer (Interim), APL
