Scope
Reference
C344340
Description
NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) are seeking to engage with suppliers of blood component transport containers via a preliminary market engagement exercise. NHSBT require these containers to maintain strict temperature control and the protection of precious blood components (red cells, platelets and frozen material) during transit from our distribution sites to hospitals or internally between NHSBT's 14 sites across England. All of these journeys will be over either long or short distances. This potential requirement is anticipated to be for supply and maintenance of these containers along with the maintenance of the existing NHSBT fleet. The requirement for the containers is likely to include the following: - Construction must be strong, robust, durable and tamper proof, made from lightweight and impermeable material that is resistant to weather such as heat, cold and rain. - Must maintain the surface temperature of various blood component types at 2-6°C (red cells, 20-24°C (platelets) ≤ -30°C (frozen components) for transport journeys up to 9 hours, 8 hours and 11 hours respectively. - The use of temperature stabilisation material is permitted to assist temperature control, such as phase change material or dry ice. - The containers must be able to be used for all three component types with an external label pocket to allow switching of component labelling to enable multi-use. - The containers must be available in at least two sizes, small (capacity 1-6 units) and large (capacity 1-12 units). - The container must comply with all health and safety regulations in both its construction and use with handles at both sides (not shoulder straps) to enable a safe one-person load with the weight not exceeding 13Kg when fully laden. - Any proposed new solution must be cost effective, simple, safe, and space saving with excellent temperature control performance, and must be conducive to our current operational requirements. It should be noted that other health authorities may be permitted to use any agreements awarded.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2029
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 33949000 - Body transport containers
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
- IE - Ireland
Engagement
Engagement deadline
6 June 2025
Engagement process description
NHSBT conducted initial market engagement for 'Supply and Maintenance of Blood Component Transportation Containers', via issue of a PIN under the Procurement Contract Regulations (Notice Identifier: 2024/S 000-033233). Further market engagement is due to take place in June 25, hence NHSBT are issuing a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice. If you are interested in taking part in the market engagement, please contact james.marshall2@nhsbt.nhs.uk by no later than 17:00 hrs (GMT) on 06/06/2025. There is no guarantee that a formal procurement process will be launched as a result of this early 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 early 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)
18 July 2025
Contracting authority
NHS Blood and Transplant
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDBY-6395-VWBP
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
United Kingdom
Email: james.marshall2@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Website: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government