Scope
Description
The Business Services Organisation (BSO) Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS), on behalf of the Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts and the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS), invites tenders for the supply of advanced laboratory automation solutions for microbiological testing, including automated Blood Culture, Microbial Identification and Susceptibility Testing Systems.
Total value (estimated)
- £21,622,505 excluding VAT
- £25,947,007 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2032
- Possible extension to 30 June 2036
- 9 years, 6 months
Description of possible extension:
There is provision for an extension of the contract for any period up to and including 24 months. A further extension of up to 18 months may also be applied; however, this additional 18‑month extension may be used solely to facilitate a subsequent procurement competition or to put in place alternative arrangements for the required supplies or services. The estimated Total Value provided includes all potential extensions, as well as any known potential future purchases described within the “Description of Options”.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The tender includes options to procure additional equipment where funding becomes available and infrastructure constraints are resolved. Details of known future requirements are included within the tender documentation; however, provision of these items is not currently feasible due to unresolved floor loading and wider infrastructure issues. These potential future purchases will be assessed as part of the tender and may proceed if, and when, the constraints are addressed and funding is secured. The tender also includes provisions for additional quantities and changes to test repertoires. Criteria for additional purchases are set out in the tender documentation and include, but are not limited to, changes in clinical guidance, departmental recommendations, changes in clinical practice, consolidation of testing services, and unforeseen increases in demand.
Main procurement category
Goods
Additional procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 33000000 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- 33696000 - Reagents and contrast media
- 33696200 - Blood-testing reagents
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 38400000 - Instruments for checking physical characteristics
- 38434000 - Analysers
- 71900000 - Laboratory services
Justification for not using lots
The requirement has not been divided into lots because the equipment, consumables, and associated services must function as a fully integrated and interoperable system. All components must interface with the same technology and validated workflows, and reagents and consumables are specifically calibrated and approved for use with the supplier’s equipment. Servicing and maintenance also require manufacturer authorised personnel. Splitting the requirement into separate lots would risk incompatibility, reduced functionality, and loss of assurance.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
This tender will assess legal and financial capacity through six pass/fail Conditions of Participation questions.
Technical ability conditions of participation
This tender will assess technical capacity through seven pass/fail Conditions of Participation questions, including the provision of a supplier reference.
Submission
Enquiry deadline
25 March 2026, 3:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Tender submission deadline
1 April 2026, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders must be submitted electronically via the eTendersNI platform (https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps)
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 November 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 January 2034
Award criteria
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| 15 percent | Quality |
| 85 Percent | Price |
Weighting description
This tender comprises three pass/fail stages: (1) Exclusion, Debarment and Conditions of Participation; (2) Award Criteria – Mandatory Technical Requirements; and (3) Award Criteria – Design Plan and Dialogue. Stage 4 involves the assessment of Award Criteria – Quality Scored criteria and the financial assessment, weighted 15 percent for Quality and 85 percent for Price.
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
This procurement consists of five stages, commencing with the publication of this notice. Stage 1 involves the review of Exclusion, Debarment, and Conditions of Participation criteria. Stage 2 comprises the assessment of the Award Criteria – Mandatory Technical Requirements. At Stage 3, suppliers are invited to complete a workflow analysis and provide design and implementation plans; a dialogue phase may be undertaken if required. Suppliers progressing to Stage 4 will submit their final bids, including finalised design and implementation plans, which will be assessed alongside Award Criteria – Quality Scored and Financial bids. Stage 5 concludes the process with contract award.
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
Pre‑market engagement took place in 2023 and 2025 under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, with Prior Information Notices published for transparency (2023/S 000‑026578 and 2025/S 000‑002465).
Contracting authorities
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLQJ-5727-JCLR
A Floor, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7AB
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBRP-6676-CQZY
Bretten Hall, Bush Road
Antrim
BT41 2RL
United Kingdom
Region: UKN0D - Antrim and Newtownabbey
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLGY-6381-WWWR
Ulster Hospital, Upper Newtownards Rd
Belfast
BT16 1RH
United Kingdom
Region: UKN0E - Lisburn and Castlereagh
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJCC-1957-RCGP
Craigavon Area Hospital, 68 Lurgan Road
Portadown
BT63 5QQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKN07 - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Western Health and Social Care Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTVW-2397-PWCT
Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Glenshane Road
Londonderry
BT47 6SB
United Kingdom
Region: UKN0A - Derry City and Strabane
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
NI Blood Transfusion Service
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTNY-7183-GXBY
Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7TS
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
Business Services Organisations, Procurement and Logistics Service
Summary of their role in this procurement: Business Services Organisation (BSO) Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS) is facilitating this tender process on behalf of the named Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts and the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS).
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWNJ-1991-NGDW
77 Boucher Crescent
Belfast
BT12 6HU
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Contact organisation
Contact Business Services Organisations, Procurement and Logistics Service for any enquiries.