Scope
Reference
6114409
Description
Purpose of the PME: The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is to seek engagement with the market place on behalf of Belfast, Northern, Southern, South Eastern and Western Health and Social Care Trusts for Northern Ireland to obtain a view of the market’s ability to assist with Microbiology Molecular Platforms, Consumables and Quality Control Products.
Supplier Engagement Session: Suppliers are invited to participate at an in person Supplier Engagement Session (SES) to help inform the development of the forthcoming procurement competition, which may be structured either as a fully managed service to one supplier or a model allowing a structure awarding the contract to a multi-lot contract that could be awarded to multiple suppliers.
Background: There is a contract currently in place from 30/01/2019-28/02/2028 and the last time the buyers engaged with market was 2017. The value of this current contract is between £35,000,000 - £40,000,000.
Information sought from Suppliers: Suppliers participating in the SES should provide a high level overview of current market available capabilities relevant to the test areas included but not limited to those listed below to discuss system functionality, laboratory workflows, and middleware/connectivity considerations, platform capabilities in principle:
List of Tests Under Consideration (including but not limited to):
1a. Enteric Pathogens - Molecular Batch Testing Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium & Giardia, Salmonella, Shigella and VTEC
1b. Molecular Batch Testing Clostridium Difficile Toxin PCR
1c. Detection of Vero-Toxin genes producing E-coli
1d. Enteric Virology- Molecular Batch Testing Adenovirus, Rotavirus, Sapovirus, Astrovirus and Norovirus G1 + G2
2a. Moleculcar Batch Testing of Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea PCR
2b. Confirmatory Random Access Testing for Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea PCR
3 Molecular Batch Testing CoVID/Flu & RSV PCR
4 Random Access Testing of COVID/Flu & RSV PCR
5 Random Access MTB and Rifampicin resistance PCR
6 Random Access Testing MRSA PCR
7 Random Access Testing Norovirus PCR
8 Molecular Batch Testing of Trichomonas Vaginalis/Mycoplasma Genitalium (TV/MT) PCR
9 Random Access testing of Mycoplasma Genitalium (MG) with resistance to Azithromycin PCR
10 Random Access Testing of Carbapenamase PCR
11 Random Access Testing Clostridium Difficile Toxin PCR
12 Point of Care Systems for testing of respiratory viruses
*Suppliers should note that the list of test areas provided is indicative only and is not exhaustive. The final scope of tests will be determined during the development of the procurement documentation.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2028 to 31 January 2033
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 33100000 - Medical equipments
- 33124100 - Diagnostic devices
- 33124000 - Diagnostics and radiodiagnostic devices and supplies
- 33124130 - Diagnostic supplies
- 33141625 - Diagnostic kits
- 33696500 - Laboratory reagents
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 38950000 - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment
- 38951000 - Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment
Engagement
Engagement deadline
27 February 2026
Engagement process description
This PME will include a Supplier Engagement Session (SES) with interested suppliers. The purpose of the session is to gather information from the market to help inform the development of the future tender. The engagement is an information gathering exercise only and does not form part of any tender process.
The format of the PME will follow the guidance outlined in the CP13 - Preliminary Market Engagement Explanatory Document, providing suppliers with background information, the scope of discussion, and an overview of the areas where market feedback is sought.
What you need to do now:
1. If not registered on eTendersNI, do so on the website www.eTendersNI.gov.uk . Go to the 'Suppliers new to eTendersNI' section and follow the registration process. Potential tenderers will be required to register against the relevant CPV codes applicable to them to ensure they receive email alerts regarding specific areas of interest. If already registered potential tenderers should review their contact details to ensure the information is up to date. Assistance is available from eTendersNI Helpdesk, telephone number: 08002404545.
2. To request the CP13 - Preliminary Market Engagement Explanatory Document, you must e-mail palsgransha.sourcing@hscni.net by 15:00 hrs on Wednesday 25th February 2026.
3. Once you are in receipt of the CP13 - Preliminary Market Engagement Explanatory Document, follow the instructions within the document and submit your completed Declaration of Interest via email to palsgransha.sourcing@hscni.net (CfT Ref: 6114409) before the deadline at 15:00 hrs on Friday, 27th February 2026.
4. Indicate your availability for the proposed Supplier Engagement Dates utilising the Declaration of Interest Form for dates - Thursday 26th March 2026 and/or Monday 30th March 2026 (to assist with scheduling).
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
4 January 2027
Contracting authority
Business Services Organisation, Procurement and Logistics Service
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWNJ-1991-NGDW
Supplies Centre, Gransha Hospital, Clooney Road
Derry
BT47 6YZ
United Kingdom
Region: UKN0A - Derry City and Strabane
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland