Power to conclude and manage framework agreements4

1

The Board may conclude and manage framework agreements to facilitate the purchase and supply of a service, drug, medicine or other substance or product to which paragraph (2) applies.

2

This paragraph applies to a service, drug, medicine or other substance or product that is to be provided as part of the health service for—

a

the purposes of preventing, diagnosing, monitoring or treating a physical or mental illness;

b

the purposes of providing care to an individual; or

c

a purpose related to any matter mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b).

3

In this regulation—

a

“framework agreement” means an agreement between the Board and one (or more than one) economic operator (within the meaning of regulation 2 (definitions) of the Public Contracts Regulations 20155), the purpose of which is to establish the terms governing contracts to be entered into during a given period, in particular with regard to price and, where appropriate, the quantity envisaged; and

b

“other substance or product” includes—

i

medical supplies within the meaning of section 260(5) of the 2006 Act6;

ii

a medical device within the meaning of regulation 2 (interpretation) of the Medical Devices Regulations 20027; and

iii

a human blood component.