Robotic Surgical Equipment Procurement Notice

The Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) is planning to directly procure a robotic surgical system capable of telesurgery. This procurement is part of a partnership with a third-party clinic to introduce robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery in Gibraltar. The first phase involves acquiring the equipment, while the second phase will develop telesurgery capabilities through secure connections with UK centers of excellence. The required equipment must meet high clinical standards for telesurgery and is only available from a single supplier due to proprietary technology and intellectual property restrictions, meaning no alternatives exist at this time. This contract is being awarded without prior publication of a contract notice as permitted under Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Procurement (Public Sector Contracts) Regulations 2016. The decision is based on several factors: 1. **Continuation of Essential Public Health Services**: Robotic-assisted surgery is a significant advancement in surgical care, enhancing patient safety and outcomes. The equipment must integrate with existing clinical infrastructure and future telesurgical applications. 2. **Market Engagement and Competitive Process**: Market research indicates that the only robotic system meeting the necessary technical requirements is available from a single supplier, due to proprietary technologies and integration standards. The supplier has confirmed exclusivity based on intellectual property rights, with no reasonable alternatives identified. 3. **Urgency and Timing Constraints**: The implementation of this system is time-sensitive, linked to collaboration milestones with the third-party clinic. Delays could jeopardize the partnership and affect service modernization efforts. 4. **Regulatory Compliance and Risk Mitigation**: The total contract value exceeds the threshold under the Procurement (Public Sector Contracts) Regulations 2016. To ensure transparency and legal compliance, the GHA is publishing this notice, which allows for any market challenges to be raised within the specified period.