Turnkey Delivery of a Replacement MRI Suite for St. Vincent's University Hospital

St. Vincent’s University Hospital proposes to enter a contract for Turnkey Delivery (MRI system and enabling works) of a Replacement MRI Suite. SVUH requires a self-contained ultra-low helium system (not requiring a quench pipe) MRI 1.5 T system based on the following considerations: enables seamless ramp-down and ramp-up processes, including magnet shimming, without the need for field engineer intervention, thereby minimising operational downtime; eliminates the requirement for a quench pipe, maximising installation flexibility within existing infrastructure constraints; addresses sustainability concerns associated with helium consumption, recognising helium as a finite resource; reduces power consumption, supporting the sustainability objectives of both the HSE and SVUH.

The SVUH 1.5T MRI suite is small and non-rectangular; there is no scope or allocated budget for major structural modifications to the suite. The department delivers advanced, multi-specialty MRI services for complex, critically ill, and bariatric patients and manages high-risk cases using specialized safety workflows, including accommodating ICU teams, anaesthetic equipment, and MR-conditional support systems. SVUH requires a dockable trolley system to safely support these clinical workflows within the unique physical constraints of the MRI suite.

The requirement for a dockable trolley system has been definitively established with clinical stakeholders. Based on the above clinical, technical and safety requirements SVUH has determined that a self-contained ultra-low helium MRI system with a dockable trolley is essential. At present, SVUH is satisfied that Siemens Healthcare Medical Solutions Limited is the only supplier in the European market capable of meeting these requirements.

SVUH is proposing a contract with said service provider for maximum ten (10) years, at the estimate value of EUR 2,000,000 excl. VAT. A Voluntary Ex-Ante Publication (VEAT) Notice will be published in OJEU, outlining SVUH’s intention to the market i.e. award a contract without prior call for competition as per Article 32.2.b.ii “competition is absent for technical reasons” (Procedure above EU Threshold).

SVUH will not execute a contract with the identified provider for a minimum of fourteen (14) days from the date of publication of the above-mentioned Notice.