Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Wilmslow Road
Manchester
M20 4BX
Contact
Diane Sinclair
Telephone
+44 7748624560
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD3 - Greater Manchester
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
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
Pathology Service Joint Venture
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85111800 - Pathology services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Trust has worked with a commercial partner in a joint venture (JV) arrangement to deliver a comprehensive pathology service for the last 10 years. Building on this knowledge and experience, the Trust was looking for a new partner that matches its ambitions.
The initial term of the pathology service JVwill be for a period of fifteen (15) years with an option to extend by up to five (5) years.
The Trust was looking for a partner that will;
• Provide an exceptional, high-quality service that meets the specialist needs of a
comprehensive cancer centre;
• Provide investment for the provision of world class infrastructure;
• Embrace the exciting opportunities presented with the co-location of a world leading
oncology research centre; and
• Provide expert guidance along with the creativity and drive to deliver a modern, thriving,
truly exceptional pathology service for patients.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £200,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85110000 - Hospital and related services
- 85110000 - Hospital and related services
- 85111810 - Blood analysis services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD3 - Greater Manchester
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The current pathology service provides routine and specialist pathology services with c100 dedicated staff on The Christie Hospital site. The service includes translational biomarker development and supports the Trust’s ambitious Research and Innovation (R&I) programme and clinical trials portfolio.
Demand for testing is increasing year on year reflecting the Trust’s oncology case load. The Trust sought a JV pathology partner who is able to deliver the Trust’s strategic ambitions, including accommodation of projected testing growth demand and flexible options for the development of facilities, estate, technology, and changes in clinical pathways.
Vision
To provide a world leading comprehensive pathology service that supports timely and highquality
delivery of patient care - regionally and nationally - and develops an internationally recognised workforce who, with academic and industry partners, deliver a pioneering
programme of research and innovation.
Principles/Objectives
The Future Pathology Service should reflect the following principles/objectives:
• Safe, effective, and responsive to the diversity of patient and clinical needs and offers the specialist and integrated pathology services needed to support a regional tertiary cancer centre.
• Delivery of a sustainable future pathology workforce
• alignment with the Trust’s Vision and Values and the objectives of Greater Manchester Cancer.
• Commitment to working as part of Greater Manchester ICS in the delivery of the Core20PLUS5 programme to support the reduction of health inequalities at both national and system level.
• Enabled by a strong digital infrastructure and capability. Adopting digital opportunity and technology advances to deliver more efficient and scalable pathology services.
• A service model that considers The Trust’s local, regional national and international partnerships, including engagement with the Greater Manchester Pathology Network to
explore opportunities to support system requirements.
• Delivered through a partnership that has a strategy for profitable growth through expanding test repertoire and customer base.
• Builds upon the Trust’s reputation as an international leader in research and innovation, which is further strengthened by being a partner in the Manchester Cancer Research Centre
(MCRC) and Health Innovation Manchester.
• A service with capital investment to provide best in class facilities.
• A service that has education at its core.
The Future Operating Model for Pathology must include:
• An end-to-end comprehensive pathology service
• Blood sciences including haematology, blood transfusion, clinical biochemistry and immunoassay
• On-site essential services laboratory to support time critical and pathway critical services
• Histopathology (including immunohistochemistry and receptor analysis)
• Stem Cell Laboratory
• Point-of-Care Testing
• A future-proof design with activity growth in service expectation factored in – including expansion of on-site and off-site facilities to meet projected demand;
• An agile approach that can respond to evolving technology and operational requirements and provide improvements to the Trust Pathology Estate;
• Training, Development and Education, Research and Innovation
• Positive workplace culture
• IT infrastructure and digital enablement (including Digital Histopathology)
• Best in class equipment and instrumentation
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Clinical / Operational / Weighting: 13
Quality criterion - Name: Quality and Safety / Weighting: 5
Quality criterion - Name: Implementation / Weighting: 4.8
Quality criterion - Name: Future-proofing / Weighting: 4.8
Quality criterion - Name: Research & Innovation / Weighting: 4.2
Quality criterion - Name: Workforce / Weighting: 8
Quality criterion - Name: I&MT / Weighting: 8
Quality criterion - Name: Strategy, Risk & Governance / Weighting: 7.2
Quality criterion - Name: Social Value / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Legal / Weighting: 5
Price - Weighting: 30
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive dialogue
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2023/S 000-031674
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 May 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
SYNLAB
Francis House, 9 King's Head Yard, London.
London
SE1 1NA
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
National registration number
03216065
Internet address
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £240,000,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £200,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The proposed contract is to be let for an initial term of 180 months. There is also an option to extend the Contract by up to a further 60 months following the initial term.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom