Scope
Reference
CAV-DIR (25-26) 166
Description
WEQAS require a specialist packaging solution to distribute External Quality Assessment (EQA) material to more than 35,000 sites globally each month. The packaging must provide a compliant, leak-proof secondary containment for Exempt and Category B Biological Specimens, using sustainable materials where possible.
Contract 1. SPECIMEN TRANSPORTERS
Supplier
Contract value
- £436,582.80 excluding VAT
- £523,899.36 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
10 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 11 February 2026 to 8 February 2028
- Possible extension to 8 February 2030
- 3 years, 11 months, 26 days
Description of possible extension:
2 years with an option to extend for a further two years (in 12 month increments)
Initial Term 9th February 2026 – 8th February 2028
Extension 9th February 2028 – 8th February 2030
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85145000 - Services provided by medical laboratories
Contract locations
- UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Market Appetite: Although a Transparency Notice and standstill period will be issued, it remains unknown whether any suppliers in the current market have developed alternative leak-proof transporter solutions that could feasibly meet WEQAS’s bespoke requirements.
Supplier Capability: It is uncertain whether any potential suppliers—if they respond—would have the capability to replicate or produce the required custom transporter design, particularly given MedDX’s historical patent and unique manufacturing process.
Lead Times & Production Capacity: Should new suppliers express interest, their manufacturing lead times, tooling requirements, and ability to scale production within WEQAS's operational timelines are unknown.
New Market Entrants: Suppliers who have not previously operated in this niche market may have recently developed capabilities but have not yet marketed or registered their interest through conventional procurement channels.
Unforeseen Regulatory Changes: Future amendments to international transport regulations or biohazard packaging standards could introduce new compliance requirements that impact product design, supplier capability, or cost.
Bespoke Product Requirement: WEQAS requires a custom-made specimen transporter specifically designed to fit its unique vial sizes and meet international transport regulations for Exempt and Category B Biological Specimens.
Historical Sole Supplier: MedDX Solutions has historically been the only supplier capable of delivering this product due to their patented leak-proof clamshell design and integrated absorbent technology.
Operational Necessity: The packaging solution is essential for WEQAS to distribute over 35,000 EQA consignments per month, meaning continuity of supply is critical for service delivery.
Market Position: Previous market engagement (and the earlier VEAT notice) confirmed that no alternative suppliers were able to meet the required specification or produce a cost-effective equivalent within operational timeframes.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
REAL Digital International (RDi previously known as MedDX) have supplied Weqas with the majority of our packaging requirements (sample transporters, foil pouches and envelopes) for many years, supplying bespoke products for many of the transporters based on Weqas’ specific requirements.
The transporters offer a patented leak-proof clamshell with internally laminated super absorbent material. Transporters are moulded to separate and hold all primary containers to ensure safe, leak proof transport of materials to our customers. They provide protection against impact and mishandling during transport even for the fragile glass vials within our range.
Transporters are IATA compliant, essential for us as an international EQA provider distributing products across all continents.
The transporters are simple and intuitive to pack/close and un-pack. In addition to the end user experience, they deliver an efficient packaging experience in terms of time to pack e.g. no extra absorbent material needs to be added.
Three products have been designed specifically for Weqas to hold unique vial sizes or unique combinations of vials / tubes. These combinations ensure secure containment within specified sizes of transporters minimising wastage of space and therefore creating smaller, lighter packages for transport through the mailing system. The three bespoke products are the 18 well multi tube transporter, the 18 well transporter for glass vials for the Weqas Blood Gas programme and the 9 well transporter for the Weqas Co-oximetry Acu Cap vials.
Both transporters and envelopes are bespoke products printed with the Weqas logo to stand out as a branded professional product.
The foil pouches and envelopes have been refined over the years to accommodate the various sizes required by Weqas to pack and deliver the unique requirements for each customer.
Supplier
MEDDX SOLUTIONS LIMITED
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLLG-9559-TNGH
Skylon Place
Hereford
HR2 6NX
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)1432 850910
Email: supporthfd@real-digital.co.uk
Website: https://www.meddxsolutions.co.uk/
Region: UKG11 - Herefordshire, County of
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. SPECIMEN TRANSPORTERS
Contracting authority
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPPR-7969-BTJG
Woodland House,
Cardiff
CF14 4HH
United Kingdom
Contact name: Charlie Webber
Telephone: +446589785420
Email: Charlie.webber@wales.nhs.uk
Website: http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Region: UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)
Summary of their role in this procurement: The NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) plays a vital role in supporting NHS Wales by delivering a wide range of professional, technical, and administrative services. It is hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust, which means Velindre provides the governance and infrastructure to support NWSSP's operations, but NWSSP itself serves all NHS organisations across Wales.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXWV-6492-CGMN
4-5 Charnwood Court Heol Billingsley
Cardiff
CF15 7QZ
United Kingdom
Region: UKL15 - Central Valleys