Scope
Reference
C417837
Description
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are responsible for collecting plasma and platelet donations in England. There is a requirement for NHSBT to undertake total protein testing on these donations and the donors.
As part of the preliminary market engagement exercise, NHSBT are seeking to engage with potential suppliers of analysers that can run total protein assays.
1. General Requirements – Background:
For Donor Safety:
All apheresis donors require a total protein test on their first donation, and this is repeated at every 8th donation and at least annually. Total protein must not be less than 60g/L.
For Quality Monitoring:
Total protein is tested in:
a. 1% of recovered plasma donations (from whole blood donations);
b. 1% of apheresis plasma donations; and
c. 1% of concurrent apheresis plasma donations (obtained during platelet donation).
Total protein must not be less than 50g/L.
NHSBT currently outsource this testing to a 3rd Party. NHSBT are considering bringing this testing in house from 2027. Please note a final decision has not been made on this and the information obtained from this preliminary market engagement will help to inform the decision.
2. Requirement:
NHSBT potentially has a requirement for the purchase/loan of up to three analysers that can run special protein assays. Whilst total protein testing is the primary requirement, NHSBT may also be looking to test for immunoglobulins (IgG) and albumin as part of the requirement. As a general overview, the contracted supplier would be responsible for:
a. Providing analysers that can test for total protein, and ideally, also IgG and Albumin. This includes delivery of the machines to one/all of the three manufacturing sites – located at Filton, Colindale and Manchester;
b. Providing key consumables including assay-specific reagents;
c. Potentially providing the software (including training) to analyse the results – note: this requirement is still under consideration; and
d. Providing a maintenance and repair service to cover all planned maintenance and any repairs.
3. Contract Duration:
The contract duration is still under consideration. The market engagement will enquire about machine lifespan which will further inform the contract length. The current assumption is 5 years plus 2 x 1-year options. The estimated contract value is based on 7 years.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,260,000 excluding VAT
- £1,512,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2031
- Possible extension to 31 December 2033
- 7 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38434000 - Analysers
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
28 February 2026
Engagement process description
If you are interested in taking part in the market engagement, please contact: james.marshall2@nhsbt.nhs.uk
by no later than 12:00 hrs (GMT) on 28/02/2026. Market engagement is likely to take place via a questionnaire and potentially video calls in March 2026. There is no guarantee that a formal procurement process will be launched as a result of this preliminary market engagement exercise, nor that any contract(s) will be placed. No remuneration or compensation etc will be paid to organisations who take part in this preliminary market engagement exercise. Suppliers should take part in this process only on the basis that they fully understand and accept this position.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
30 June 2026
Contracting authority
NHS Blood and Transplant
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDBY-6395-VWBP
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
United Kingdom
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government