Supply of various vaccines

Medicines RFP Closed

PHARMAC invites proposals for the supply of various vaccines in New Zealand.

Answers to questions will be provided through the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS). PHARMAC will also post any addenda through GETS. We encourage interested suppliers to register with GETS and subscribe to this RFP to be kept up to date.

This request for proposals (RFP) letter incorporates the following schedules:

  • Schedule 1 specifies the vaccines for which PHARMAC is requesting proposals and sets out the background to the RFP and the types of proposals sought;
  • Schedule 2 describes the process that PHARMAC expects to follow in relation to the RFP;
  • Schedule 3 sets out information about the estimated size of the current funded market for the various vaccines;
  • Schedule 4 [DOC, 264 KB] contains the RFP form in which you are to provide details of your proposal; and
  • Schedule 4b [XLSX, 34 KB] (Excel spreadsheet);
  • Schedule 5 [DOCX, 240 KB], linked but also available via GETS sets out PHARMAC’s proposed terms and conditions for supply of vaccines that will apply if your proposal is awarded.
Vaccines RFP document in .pdf [PDF, 233 KB]

If you wish to submit a proposal, you must submit it to PHARMAC via the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) no later than 4.00 p.m. (New Zealand time) on Thursday 24 March 2016.

If you have any questions about this RFP you should submit them via GETS or alternatively by email procurement@pharmac.govt.nz.

Please note that any additional information that PHARMAC gives to you as a result of your enquiry will also be given by PHARMAC to other potential suppliers, if PHARMAC determines that such information is material.

Schedule 1: Vaccine, background to RFP and types of proposals sought

Vaccine

PHARMAC is interested in considering any proposal from suppliers of various vaccines as listed in Tables 1 and 2 below:

Table 1. Currently funded vaccines

Vaccine description Currently listed brand(s)
Adult diphtheria and tetanus vaccine ADT Booster
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine BCG Vaccine
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine Boostrix
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccine Infanrix IPV
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine Infanrix-hexa
Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine Act-HIB
Hepatitis A vaccine Havrix & Havrix Junior
Hepatitis B recombinant vaccine HBvaxPRO
Human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine M-M-R II
Meningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) congugate vaccine Menactra
Meningococcal C congugated vaccine  Neisvac-C
Pneumococcal vaccine Prevenar 13
Pneumococcal (PPV23) polysaccharide vaccine Pneumovax 23
Poliomyelitis vaccine IPOL
Rotavirus live reassortant oral vaccine RotaTeq
Varicella vaccine Varilrix
Tuberculin PPD (Mantoux) test TUBERSOL

Table 2. Currently unfunded vaccines

Vaccine description
Adult zoster vaccine

See the eligibility criteria below and possible amendments following this RFP.

Background to RFP

PHARMAC first issued a RFP for the supply of vaccines in June 2013, which resulted in agreements with five suppliers. Sole supply status for vaccines covered by those agreements expires on 30 June 2017.

PHARMAC is now seeking proposals for the supply of the vaccines as stated in Table 1 and 2 above, including proposals for sole supply during the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2020.

The New Zealand National Immunisation Schedule sets out the series of vaccines that are offered free to babies, children, adolescents and adults(external link)

In preparation for this RFP, PHARMAC requested that suppliers submit applications to PHARMAC for funding of any new or alternative brands of vaccines they may have available for supply from July 2017 and any proposed changes to the funding eligibility criteria for current listings and/or the Immunisation Schedule.

PHARMAC subsequently sought clinical advice from the Immunisation Subcommittee (Subcommittee) of PTAC on:

  • the suitability of new vaccines recently registered by Medsafe or planned to be registered in time for 2017 supply;
  • interchangeability of alternative brands; and
  • possible funding eligibility criteria changes.

The Immunisation Subcommittee of PTAC minutes are available on our website.

Below are some factors that you should consider in preparing a response to this RFP.

Eligibility Criteria

The current eligibility criteria for funded Vaccines can be found on our website.

As part of this RFP process, we may consider amending the eligibility criteria for the vaccines described below:

Varicella vaccine

Varicella vaccination is currently funded for high risk patients. PHARMAC is interested in proposals that would enable the funding of a universal childhood varicella single dose vaccination, possibly with catch-up programme.

Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV)

HPV is currently funded for eligible females aged under 20 years and for specified high risk patients. The normal administration is for three doses to be administered over six months, to females aged 12.

PHARMAC is interested in proposals that would enable universal access as follows:

  • Reducing the number of doses to two, for girls up to the age of 15.
    • Note that the three dose vaccination would remain funded for females over the age of 15 up to 20 years as well as the high risk patients as per the current eligibility criteria.
  • Widening access to males aged 11-13.

Zoster vaccine

PHARMAC is interested in proposals that would enable funding of a single adult zoster vaccination for all patients at 65 years of age (‘universal vaccination)’, possibly with a catch-up programme for all adults who are over 65 years at the time the vaccine was listed.

Meningococcal C congugated vaccine

Meningococcal C congugated vaccination is currently funded for high risk patients. PHARMAC is interested in proposals that would enable the funding of a universal childhood meningococcal C vaccination, possibly with a catch-up programme.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine

PHARMAC currently funds both:

  • an adult diphtheria and tetanus vaccine (ADT Booster); and
  • a diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (Boostrix).

Each vaccine is funded under different eligibility criteria. PHARMAC is interested in proposals that would enable the funding of a single vaccine to cover both sets of current eligibility criteria (i.e. the eligibility criteria would be merged).

Delivery

PHARMAC will place purchase orders for vaccines with the supplier. Such purchase orders will be required to be delivered to a designated delivery point, currently PHARMAC’s storage and distribution service provider as follows:

PHARMAC c/o HealthCare Logistics
HealthCare Logistics
58 Richard Pearse Drive, Airport Oaks
Mangere
Auckland 2022
New Zealand

Contract duration

Any resulting contract(s) from this RFP process would be evergreen and would include  a maximum sole supply period of three years, from no earlier than 1 July 2017 to no later than 30 June 2020. During this period the eligibility criteria may change and any contract(s) resulting from this process would provide for this (see Schedule 5).

Types of proposals sought

Sole Supply

Sole supply status would entail both sole subsidised supply in the Community via a listing in Section I of the Pharmaceutical Schedule (i.e. the National Immunisation Schedule) and hospital supply status in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

PHARMAC is willing to consider the following types of proposals for sole supply status, where the supplier is expected to meet the demand for all doses of that vaccine, from no earlier than 1 July 2017 to no later than 30 June 2020:

  1. Proposals for a single vaccine with sole supply status.
  2. Proposals that bundle multiple vaccines with sole supply status.

Suppliers may submit multiple proposals for a single vaccine or bundles of vaccines as described in a. and b. above.

Please note if you wish to submit a bundle proposal for vaccines, you must also submit at least one individual proposal for each of the vaccines included in the bundle.

Outbreak supply

Other types of proposals

Suppliers may also like to submit other types of proposals. Possibilities include:

  1. Proposals that include rebate arrangements, where the purchase price may be different from the net price offered to PHARMAC for the vaccine.
  2. Proposals that would enable PHARMAC to fund changes to eligibility criteria as outlined in Schedule 1 eligibility criteria.

Please note:

  • If you wish to submit a proposal for widened access, you must also submit a proposal for the current access criteria.

Proposal pricing

When submitting pricing please note the following:

  1. PHARMAC is seeking a purchase price from suppliers for each vaccine, this is the price that PHARMAC will be invoiced by a supplier, which is expected to be confidential between the supplier and PHARMAC.
  2. Any vaccine listed as a result of this RFP in Section I or Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule will have a publically listed price of $0.00 NZD to reflect the fact that the vaccine is provided free to vaccinators as no subsidy is claimed in respect of the cost of the vaccine.
  3. PHARMAC also requests suppliers provide a manufacturer’s price, which is not confidential that could be listed in Section I or Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as a result of any pilot for vaccine distribution, which occurs.

For the avoidance of doubt the manufacturer’s price may be the same as the purchase price; this will depend on a supplier’s sensitivity around the price for the vaccine publically being listed.

PHARMAC is not willing to consider the following types of proposals:

Subject to Proposal pricing above, PHARMAC is open to considering any other types of proposals that you may wish to put forward.

Please note that supplier(s) of any vaccines will be required to continue to supply beyond any sole supply period ending on 30 June 2020. Any resulting contract(s) will specify the supply arrangements after the sole supply period.

Schedule 2: RFP process

PHARMAC expects to follow the process set out below in the sequence indicated.

Submission

  1. You may submit more than one proposal. Each proposal will be considered as a separate proposal.
  2. All proposals must be submitted to PHARMAC via the Government Electronic Tenders Service or GETS website for the attention of Christine Chapman, Senior Therapeutic Group Manager (the Government Electronic Tenders Service or GETS means the electronic system operated by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment available at https://www.gets.govt.nz/ExternalIndex.htm(external link)).
  3. Proposals must be submitted no later than 4.00 p.m. (New Zealand time) on Thursday 24 March 2016. Late proposals will only be considered at PHARMAC’s discretion, taking into account the need for fairness to other suppliers and integrity of the RFP process.
  4. You cannot withdraw your proposal, once submitted, while the RFP process is continuing.
  5. If you have any questions about this RFP you should submit them via GETS or alternatively by email to procurement@pharmac.govt.nz.

Please note that any additional information that PHARMAC gives to you as a result of your enquiry will also be given by PHARMAC to other potential suppliers, if PHARMAC determines that such information is material.

Evaluation

Negotiation

  1. PHARMAC may negotiate with the submitter(s) of one or more preferred proposals, in the latter case whether or not the acceptance of either supplier’s proposal would exclude acceptance of the other proposal.
  2. Negotiations will proceed on the basis that PHARMAC’s proposed terms and conditions for the supply of vaccines, which are stated in Schedule 5 and are available via GETS, will apply. This is without limitation to other clauses which may be necessary, as stated in Annex Four of the terms and conditions, for example but not limited to listing, eligibility criteria, sole supply and rebates.
  3. Given that PHARMAC expects your proposal to be the best you can offer, PHARMAC does not intend to initiate negotiation with you on price. However, PHARMAC does not exclude the possibility that the final price agreed will be different from the price put forward in your proposal, as a result of the impact that other negotiated terms may have on price.
  4. PHARMAC may negotiate and enter into a provisional agreement with a preferred supplier(s) on whatever special terms, in addition to those set out in Schedule 5, PHARMAC considers appropriate.
  5. If PHARMAC and the supplier(s) are unable to reach a provisional agreement within what PHARMAC considers to be a reasonable time, PHARMAC may terminate those negotiations and negotiate with a different supplier(s).

Consultation and approval

Miscellaneous

PHARMAC may consult with you before deciding whether to disclose Confidential Information for the purposes described in sub-clauses (i) to (iv) above. You acknowledge, however, that it is for PHARMAC to decide, in its absolute discretion, whether it is necessary or appropriate to disclose information for any of the above purposes, provided that PHARMAC shall act in good faith in disclosing any Confidential Information.

Anticipated timetable

Schedule 3: Current listing and market information

The following information relates to the estimated subsidised market size of vaccines under the current eligibility criteria and restrictions.

The information is approximate and indicative only. PHARMAC makes no representation as to the accuracy of this information or as to the level of sales or likely sales of vaccines and, while PHARMAC has taken all reasonable care in preparing the information set out below, it accepts no liability for any errors or omissions in the information. PHARMAC is not obliged to notify you in the event of any change to the figures below.

Vaccine Formulation Units per year
Adult diphtheria and tetanus vaccine Inj 2 IU diphtheria toxoid with 20 IU tetanus toxoid in 0.5 ml 170,000
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine Inj Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin), Danish strain 1331, live attenuated, vial with diluent 28,000
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine Inj 2 IU diphtheria toxoid with 20 IU tetanus toxoid, 8 mcg pertussis filamentous haemagluttinin and 2.5 mcg pertactin in 0.5 ml syringe 105,000
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccine Inj 30 IU diphtheria toxoid with 40 IU tetanus toxoid, 25 mcg pertussis toxoid, 25 mcg pertussis filamentous haemagluttinin, 8 mcg pertactin and 80 D-antigen units poliomyelitis virus in 0.5ml syringe 68,000
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine Inj 30IU diphtheria toxoid with 40IU tetanus toxoid, 25mcg pertussis toxoid, 25mcg pertussis filamentous haemagluttinin, 8 mcg pertactin, 80 D-AgU poliovirus, 10mcg hepatitis B surface antigen in 0.5ml syringe 182,000
Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine Inj 10 mcg vial with diluent syringe 62,000
Hepatitis A vaccine Inj 1440 ELISA units in 1 ml syringe 600
Inj 720 ELISA units in 0.5 ml syringe 270
Hepatitis B recombinant vaccine Inj 5 mcg per 0.5 ml vial 8,000
Inj 10 mcg per 1 ml vial 9,000
Inj 40 mcg per 1 ml vial 1,000
Human papillomavirus vaccine Inj 120 mcg in 0.5 ml syringe 85,000
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine Inj 1000 TCID50 measles, 12500 TCID50 mumps and 1000 TCID50 rubella vial with diluent 0.5 ml vial 140,000
Meningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) congugate vaccine Inj 4 mcg of each meningococcal polysaccharide conjugated to a total of approximately 48 mcg of diphtheria toxoid carrier per 0.5 ml vial 1,500
Meningococcal C congugated vaccine Inj 10 mcg in 0.5 ml syringe 100
Pneumococcal vaccine Inj 30.8 mcg in 0.5 ml syringe 241,000
Pneumococcal (PPV23) polysaccharide vaccine Inj 575 mcg in 0.5 ml vial (25 mcg of each 23 pneumococcal serotype) 4,000
Poliomyelitis vaccine Inj 80D antigen units in 0.5 ml syringe 5,000
Rotavirus live reassortant oral vaccine Oral susp G1, G2, G3, G4, P1(8)11.5 million CCID50 units per 2 ml, tube 170,000
Varicella vaccine Inj 2000 PFU vial with diluent 1,000
Tuberculin PPD (Mantoux) test Inj 5 TU PPD-S per 0.1ml, 1ml vial 7,000