System of purchasing and procurement

Introduction

SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital has a system of purchasing and procurement to ensure free competition and transparency in its processes, and takes into account the assessment of sustainability criteria, including environmental, social and economic policies.

In the process of purchasing any investment in the Hospital, free competition between suppliers is promoted in order to allow the selection of the most economically favourable offer. In this regard, the established purchasing procedure ensures at all times to:

Offer free access to tenders for all candidates.
Guarantee non-discrimination and equal treatment of candidates.
Guarantee an efficient use of the funds intended for the execution of works, the acquisition of goods and the contracting of services with the objective of budgetary stability and expenditure control.
To work with maximum transparency in the purchasing procedure, publicising it in accordance with the legal requirements applicable at all times.
Incorporate, in a cross-cutting and mandatory manner, social and environmental criteria whenever they are related to the contract, with the conviction that their inclusion provides better value for money in the contractual provision, as well as greater and better efficiency.
Facilitate access to contracting for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as social economy enterprises.

In this context, different circuits are followed, depending on the regulations relevant to each investment or purchase and the contractual terms for each call for tender.

As a private, non-profit institution, SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital is not bound to abide by the Public Services Procurement Act (LCSP). It is only obliged to apply it when the established requirements are met in this law regarding subsidised contracts, or when required to do so by the agreements or conventions concluded regarding public sector issues.

SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital is bound to abide by the General Subsidies Act with subsidies granted by public administrations, that are managed in accordance with the principles set out within:

Advertising, transparency, competition, objectivity, equality and non-discrimination.
Effectiveness in meeting the objectives set by the awarding administration.
Efficiency in allocating and using public resources.

Financial subsidies with European Union funds are governed by the applicable community regulations in each case and by the national development standards or their transpositions.
Additionally certain criteria deriving from each specific subsidy’s own conditions are applied.

Investments financed by public subsidies

1. Investments financed by public subsidies

1.1. Hospital Renovations Plan (RP) investments

The centre is grant-aided by the Catalan Regional Government with a multi-annual subsidy to partially fund its Renovations Plan (RP). The tendering and contracting carried out to date are set out in the document entitled Justification for the grant received for the Renovations Plan for SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital.

The SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital uses the Tenders Service of the Catalan Health and Social Care Consortium (CSC) to publish all the information regarding open competitions. Pursuant to Article 63 of Act 9/2017 on Public Sector Contracts, all the information regarding the centre’s competitions is available to the public via the Contractor Profile found on the centre’s website.

1.2. Specific programme to support technological renewal–PERT- (AI)

1.2.1. PERT 2021

Through Order SLT/235/2020, of 31 December, the regulatory bases were approved for the award of subsidies on a competitive basis for the co-financing of investments in the renovation of health equipment and medical devices in acute hospital centres integrated into the integrated health system for public use in Catalonia (SISCAT) within the framework of the Specific Programme of Support for Technological Renovation (PERT) promoted by the Catalan Health Service (Servei Català de la Salut).

The Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona was awarded a grant under line 3 - equipment eligible for 70% subsidy for the renovation of the current 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for a MR Ingenia Ambition 1.5T | Philips Healthcare. The investment in the course of the year 2021, considering the acquisition of the equipment and the work necessary for the adaptation of the spaces and its start-up, is expected to amount to 1,300,750 euros (VAT included).

According to the terms and conditions of the PERT programme, the hospital is committed to allocate 2% of the total budget of the institution in 2022 to the Integral Technological Renewal Plan. This plan includes medical equipment (whether or not it is part of the call for proposals): information systems and machinery, clinical furniture, maintenance contracts and tasks and the updating of infrastructures (works and installations) necessary for the implementation of the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital Plan.

1.2.2. PERT 2022

On 2 May 2022, was published the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya num. 8658 Order SLT/82/2020, of 25 April, approving the regulatory bases for the awarding of subsidies on a competitive basis for the co-financing of investments in the renovation of healthcare equipment and medical apparatus in acute hospital centres integrated in the integrated healthcare system for public use in Catalonia (SISCAT) within the framework of the Specific Programme to Support Renovation (PERT) promoted by the Catalan Health Service, scheduled to be announced during the 2022 financial year.

Resolution SLT/1978/2022, of 22 June, opens the public call for the awarding of these subsidies, within the framework of the Specific Programme of Support for Technological Renewal (PERT) promoted by the Catalan Health Service, for the period 2022-2023 (ref. BDNS 634515).

SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital has been awarded a grant of 926,178 euros to finance the equipment detailed below. The investment is expected to be made in the first half of 2023, considering the purchase of the equipment and the work necessary for the adaptation of the spaces and their start-up.

Line 1: 9 Multiparametric monitors for the Neonatal ICU.
Line 2: 1 High resolution ultrasound scanner.
Line 3: Computerised Axial Tomograph and adaptation of spaces.

In accordance with the specifications of the PERT programme's regulatory bases, the Hospital has undertaken to allocate 2% of the institution's total budget for 2023 to the Integral Technological Renovation Plan. This plan includes medical equipment (whether or not it is part of the call for proposals): information systems and machinery, clinical furniture, maintenance contracts and tasks, and the updating of infrastructures (works and installations) necessary for the implementation of the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital Plan.

1.2.3. PERT 2023

On 10 May 2023, was published the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya num. 8912 Order SLT/109/2023, of 5 May, approving the regulatory bases for the awarding of subsidies on a competitive basis for the co-financing of investments in the renovation of healthcare equipment and medical apparatus in acute hospital centres integrated in the integrated healthcare system for public use in Catalonia (SISCAT) within the framework of the Specific Programme to Support Renovation (PERT) promoted by the Catalan Health Service, scheduled to be announced during the 2023 financial year.

Resolution SLT/2273/2023, of 21 June, opens the public call for the awarding of these subsidies, within the framework of the Specific Programme of Support for Technological Renewal (PERT) promoted by the Catalan Health Service, for the period 2023-2024 (ref. BDNS 703326).

SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital has been awarded a grant of 224,060.48 euros to finance the equipment detailed below. The investment is expected to be made in the first half of 2024, considering the purchase of the equipment and the work necessary for the adaptation of the spaces and their start-up.

Line 1: 3 Electroscalpels.
Line 1: 1 Intermediate anaesthesia equipment.
Line 1: 4 Monitors of ECG, SA02, PANI, advanced FC.
Line 2: 3 Neurosurgery motors.
Line 2: 2 Traumatology motors.
Line 2: 2 Advanced echocardiographs.
Line 2: 1 Advanced general ultrasound.

In accordance with the specifications of the PERT programme's regulatory bases, the Hospital has undertaken to allocate 2% of the institution's total budget for 2024 to the Integral Technological Renovation Plan. This plan includes medical equipment (whether or not it is part of the call for proposals): information systems and machinery, clinical furniture, maintenance contracts and tasks, and the updating of infrastructures (works and installations) necessary for the implementation of the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital Plan.

1.2.4. PERT 2025

On 5 May 2025, Order SLT/67/2025 of 5 May was published in the DOGC, approving the regulatory framework for the award of grants on a competitive basis for the co-financing of investments in the renewal of healthcare equipment and medical devices in public healthcare centres in Catalonia (SISCAT) within the framework of the Specific Programme for Technological Renewal (PERT) promoted by the Catalan Health Service, scheduled to be announced during the 2025 financial year.

Resolution SLT/2391/2025, dated 20 June, opens the public call for applications for these grants, under the Specific Programme for Technological Renewal (PERT) promoted by the Catalan Health Service, for the period 2024–2027 (ref. BDNS 841286).

SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital was awarded a grant of 208,120 euros to fund the equipment listed below.

Line 1: 2 surgical arches.
Line 2: 1 complete cardiopulmonary bypass system.

1.3. Project for the continuous monitoring of chronic paediatric patients through a clinical command centre as a link with primary care, within the framework of the funds for the strategic framework for primary care for the year 2022

On 16 December 2022, the General Office of Health Planning and Research of the Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya approved funding of 2,272,000 euros to the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital for the implementation of the project.

The project is carried out in primary care centres in the Southern Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, in the primary care area of four rural counties in Catalonia (Alt Urgell, Alta Ribagorça, Pallars Jussà and Pallars Sobirà), in the Centelles Primary Care Centre in Central Catalonia, and in the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital.

The project to be carried out with these funds is the continuous monitoring of chronic paediatric patients through a clinical command centre as a linking environment with primary care, implemented by the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital in Esplugues del Llobregat, which consists of identifying the needs and opportunities for improving the quality of care in the care of complex chronic paediatric patients by primary care, which can be addressed by a digital monitoring environment associated with artificial intelligence tools that includes the design, implementation and evaluation of the technological proposal.

This project is linked to line 8.2 of the Primary and Community Care Action Plan 2022-2024: Full implementation of the recommendations contained in the NHS Health Strategies that refer to this area of care, dedicating the necessary resources for the same purpose.

1.4. Project continuous monitoring of paediatric chronic patients through a “clinical command centre” as a linking environment with primary care within the framework of the funds for the strategic framework for primary care for the year 2023.

The Ministry of Health approved the project entitled ‘Continuous monitoring of paediatric chronic patients through a Clinical Command Centre as a link with Primary Care (C3-AP)’, promoted by the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital. This initiative is part of the Primary and Community Care Action Plan for 2023, and is financed by funds from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.

The project is aligned with the Strategic Framework for Primary and Community Care (MAPyC), approved by the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System in April 2019 and published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). This framework promotes quality, accessible, participatory and patient-centred primary care. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need to strengthen this level of care, driving the prioritisation of resources towards strategic lines such as those addressed by this project.

On 23 June 2023, the Interterritorial Council approved the criteria for the distribution of funds for the MAPyC, with a total allocation of 85.3 million euros, of which 14.5 million corresponds to the Generalitat de Catalunya. Subsequently, on 10 July 2024, the General Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health gave its approval to the project presented by the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital. The cost of the project was 666,976.97 euros.

1.5. Direct grant for the upgrade of the LAN network

As part of the SISCAT Information Systems Master Plan (PDSIS), which aims to drive the digital transformation of the healthcare system, SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital has received a grant to upgrade its LAN network. This upgrade is essential to ensure secure and robust communication with corporate information systems, and to provide the centre with a modern infrastructure that guarantees reliability, efficiency and operational continuity.

This grant, amounting to 613,000 euros, is allocated from the Catalan Health Service’s budget for the year 2024.

1.6. Provision of medical equipment

During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut) provided SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital with various items of medical equipment to support its clinical activities. The total value of the equipment provided is 299,796.30 euros, and the hospital is responsible for maintenance, staff training and the corresponding accounting management. For greater transparency, the equipment received is detailed below:

ATLAS 2030 paediatric exoskeleton – 203,456 euros.
UPLC chromatograph with mass detector (Acquity UPLC H-Class Plus – Acquity QDA II) – 96,340.30 euros.

1.7. Pathology scanner for the digitisation and use of images to aid diagnosis

IDI grant for the installation of specialised equipment in the existing pathology department (AP) at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital in Esplugues, which will enable the system to be connected to CatSalut’s PAT-SIMDCAT platform to improve the efficiency and quality of the diagnostic process in the field of pathological anatomy through imaging, thereby contributing to the hospital’s digital transformation for the benefit of users of the public healthcare system, and integrating us into CatSalut’s PAT-SIMDECAT project as a storage and services platform for the public healthcare system. This grant is awarded in the amount of 315,908 euros.

1.8. Fund for the consolidation of personalised precision medicine (5P Plan)

The Catalan Health Service has provided SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital with funding to equip the hospital to ensure the exchange of information between centres, using common catalogues and compatible applications that integrate clinical and laboratory data to offer a comprehensive service throughout the clinical genetics process. This grant amounts to 268,032.79 euros.

Rest of investments

2. Rest of investments

For the contracting of significant works that are not subject to any type of subsidy from public entities, the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital uses the private tender contracting model, a process similar to that of a public tender. In this process, suppliers are provided with administrative and technical specifications, as well as technical and financial evaluation criteria. This process ensures maximum transparency in procurement. These administrative and technical specifications detail the object of the contract, its characteristics and the evaluation criteria for the proposals received.

All bids are evaluated by a team of experts on the basis of technical and economic criteria. The winning bid is determined on the basis of the two evaluations.

Specifically for the publication of all information on open tenders related to the SJD Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), the Hospital uses the tendering service of the Consorci de Salut i Social de Catalunya (CSC). All information on the centre's tenders is publicly accessible on the centre's Contractor Profile on the CSC website.

Public grants for research and innovation projects

3. Public grants for research and innovation projects

On the website of the Fundación Privada para la Investigación y la Docencia San Juan de Dios you can consult the information on public subsidies for research and innovation projects at the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital.

Other purchases of goods and services

4. Other purchases of goods and services

The SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital has several interdisciplinary committees that assess the introduction of new consumables (Purchasing Committee), new drugs (Pharmacy Committee) and new equipment (Equipment Committee). Each committee is formed by representatives in the clinical field, who ensure that the products and equipment incorporated are suitable. The committees also have representatives specialised in economic matters, to ensure compliance with the financial budget.

Depending on the purchasing and procurement volumes, different procedures are followed.

Purchasing sanitary consumables and drugs: For the purchase of medical devices and certain drugs that are used recurrently and under similar conditions (with no great variability in volumes and/or required technical specifications), the Hospital uses a combined purchasing platform of the Catalan Health and Social Care Consortium (CSC). This platform ensures maximum transparency and competition in the process of selecting suppliers, and achieves economies of scale in purchasing thanks to a centralised procurement policy entered into with other hospitals.
Purchasing of other products: For the purchase of other products, general services and other equipment, a purchasing process based on the initial definition of the requirements is used, implementing a process of open and transparent negotiation with interested suppliers of a product/service, and with subsequent approval by the relevant interdisciplinary committee for the product/equipment finally selected.
In general, the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital is not obliged to comply with the Public Procurement Act (LSCP). It is only obliged to apply it in relation to investments linked to the capital subsidy received from the Generalitat de Catalunya for the remodelling and extension of the Hospital. In this case, and following the clauses agreed in the agreement that supports the aforementioned subsidy, the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital applies the procedures required by the LSCP.