Planning

Supply & Maintenance of Liquid Nitrogen / Cryogenic Storage Vessels

  • NHS Blood and Transplant

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-001696

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04d434

Published 17 January 2025, 12:56pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

NHS Blood and Transplant

500 North Bristol Park

Bristol

BS34 7QH

Contact

Jo Murphy

Email

jo.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Telephone

+44 1179212718

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKK11 - Bristol, City of

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/

Buyer's address

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at

https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Health


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Supply & Maintenance of Liquid Nitrogen / Cryogenic Storage Vessels

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 24111800 - Liquid nitrogen

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority in England, with responsibilities across the United Kingdom for organ donation and transplantation. Our core purpose is to ‘save and improve lives’ through the provision of a safe and reliable supply of blood components, solid organs, stem cells, tissues and related services to the NHS, and to the other UK Health Services where directed. 

NHSBT is required to store human tissue and cells for human application, research and IVD products in vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels.

NHSBT is looking to award contract agreement for:
I. provision of vapour phase liquid nitrogen storage vessels
II. maintenance of existing and new liquid nitrogen storage vessels (including maintenance of super insulated vacuum lines (SIVL)

High level specifications

Vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels
• Interface with an automated liquid nitrogen supply
• Maintain inventory below -160C
• Minimise risk of transient warming events (>-160OC) during storage and retrieval of products
• Operate within a standard laboratory environment
• Have temperature controls with visible and audible alarms
• Comply with CE/UKCA mark regulations.
• Range of sizes and options available for the following inventory:
o bags ranging from 25 - 750ml
o tissue allografts of various sizes
o sample tubes ranging from 1ml - 10ml

Maintenance of existing & new liquid nitrogen storage vessels
• Provide arrangements for the technical support, planned preventative maintenance schedules and availability of spare parts for liquid nitrogen storage vessels and associated SIVL
• Breakdown cover to include:
o Guaranteed call out response times
o Guaranteed maximum down times
o Spares available for critical parts
o Telephone help desk support available

To find out more about this opportunity, or to an express an interest, please contact jo.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk before Wednesday 5th February 2025.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £1,500,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Maintenance of existing and new liquid nitrogen storage vessels

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 24111800 - Liquid nitrogen

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NHSBT is required to store human tissue and cells for human application, research and IVD products in vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels.

NHSBT is looking to award contract agreement for the maintenance of existing and new liquid nitrogen storage vessels (including maintenance of super insulated vacuum lines (SIVL).

Key elements of the specification for maintenance of existing & new liquid nitrogen storage vessels are:
• Provide arrangements for the technical support, planned preventative maintenance schedules and availability of spare parts for liquid nitrogen storage vessels and associated SIVL
• Breakdown cover to include:
o Guaranteed call out response times
o Guaranteed maximum down times
o Spares available for critical parts
o Telephone help desk support available

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Supply of Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessels

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 24111800 - Liquid nitrogen

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NHSBT is required to store human tissue and cells for human application, research and IVD products in vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels.

NHSBT is looking to award a contract for the provision of vapour phase liquid nitrogen storage vessels.

Key elements of the specification for vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels are:
• Interface with an automated liquid nitrogen supply
• Maintain inventory below -160C
• Minimise risk of transient warming events (>-160OC) during storage and retrieval of products
• Operate within a standard laboratory environment
• Have temperature controls with visible and audible alarms
• Comply with CE/UKCA mark regulations.
• Range of sizes and options available for the following inventory:
o bags ranging from 25 - 750ml
o tissue allografts of various sizes

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

1 April 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes