interactive Costing Tool (iCT): Getting started

Contents

Introduction

The web-based interactive Costing Tool (iCT) provides a framework for transparent cost display and calculation to support swift local site budget negotiations when planning commercial trials in the NHS.

This digital version of the iCT enables even faster costing and contracting between the life sciences industry and the NHS as part of the study set-up phase. The tool is available as a module within the NIHR Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS) and includes a number of major improvements.

This document will signpost you to all the available guidance you need to begin using the iCT.

Why use the iCT?

With improved usability, functionality, reliability and compatibility the CPMS-based system makes it quicker and easier to set up commercial studies in the NHS through increased accuracy and visibility of commercial costing. The iCT will be a fundamental tool underpinning the transition to a new single review process for all commercial studies - minimising the time required to negotiate the cost for delivering research at an individual site.

Here are some iCT functionality improvements at a glance:

• Compatibility
  The web-based iCT works on any computer - overcoming software compatibility issues with the existing Excel-based version of the tool 

• Usability
  With a simple layout, the iCT is a fully automated costing solution - accessible from the NIHR Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS) and no longer involving any manual steps from users

• Reliability
  Updates or changes to the system are now a seamless process, improving system reliability

• Improved audit functionality
  The iCT app contains a central log of all adjustments made as part of the contract negotiation process - enabling NIHR to further streamline processes by identifying any issues or delays

• Visibility
  It enables resource requirements determined at a site level to be shared with others involved in the study within the system, avoiding duplication of effort.

What you need to use the system

1. You will need a Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS) account to use the interactive Costing Tool. This is available via individual or group email addresses (multiple uses of the same group log-in can be used via an ‘incognito’ or ‘private’ browser window). To create an account, follow the ‘Create an Account’ button on the CPMS homepage.
2. We suggest that all users of iCT in CPMS view all of the instructional videos as they clearly link the various stages of iCT completion as it moves through the CPMS system. See ‘Video Tutorials’ below.
3. You will also need a copy of the study protocol.

Where the data comes from

• Review of the site Market Forces Factor by NHSE annually
• Annual Salaries from NHS Employers including prospective uplifts
• Apprenticeship Levy from NHS Employers 0.5%PA for all NHS gross pay costs
• Investigation cost baselining via Specialist Working Groups at senior Institute Level (e.g. Royal College of Pathology, Royal Institute of Ophthalmology) via the NIHR Costing Models Working Group
• NHS Inflator value from NHSE used to inflate investigation costs on an annual basis.

Guidance and supporting information

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• National Tariff workbooks:
  • NIHR 2020 Investigation and Intervention Tariff 1.2
  • NIHR Departmental, Set Up and Closedown Tariff 2020-21 Version 1.5
  • NIHR Procedures Definitions and Tariff 2020-21 Version 1.2
  • NHSE Market Forces Factor 2020-21 Version 1.2

• Video tutorials
  A number of other helpful films about the iCT are available on our NIHRtv Youtube channel including submission guidance for life sciences industry. Watch this demonstration of a study submission being entered on to the iCT and then validated and subsequently reviewed by the site. 

Functionality update: March 2021

We are currently defining system updates based on user feedback submitted. Further details of the specific functionality changes and implementation dates will be shared here in due course.

All these changes have been requested by users of the interactive Costing Tool and will improve usability when defining the NHS resource requirements and subsequent costs for individual studies.

Where can I get more advice or support

For general queries please contact supportmystudy@nihr.ac.uk

If you are seeking support at at a local level in relation to a particular site please contact your Local Clinical Research Network.

Colleagues from life science companies and Contract Research Organisations (CROs) can also join monthly 1:1 surgeries, dates for which will be posted on the website. Alternatively you can sign up to receive our newsletter to stay up to date on these developments.

Feedback provided in these sessions will be used to to assess the impact of iCT and to inform its future development. You can also submit your comments and suggestions via our feedback form.