Scope
Description
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority in England, with responsibilities across the United Kingdom for organ donation and transplantation. Our core purpose is to 'save and improve lives' through the provision of a safe and reliable supply of blood components, solid organs, stem cells, tissues and related services to the NHS, and to the other UK Health Services where directed. NHSBT is required to store human tissue and cells for human application, research and IVD products in vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels. NHSBT is looking to award contract agreement for: I. provision of vapour phase liquid nitrogen storage vessels II. maintenance of existing and new liquid nitrogen storage vessels (including maintenance of super insulated vacuum lines (SIVL) High level specifications Vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels • Interface with an automated liquid nitrogen supply • Maintain inventory below -160C • Minimise risk of transient warming events (>-160OC) during storage and retrieval of products • Operate within a standard laboratory environment • Have temperature controls with visible and audible alarms • Comply with CE/UKCA mark regulations. • Range of sizes and options available for the following inventory: o bags ranging from 25 - 750ml o tissue allografts of various sizes o sample tubes ranging from 1ml - 10ml Maintenance of existing & new liquid nitrogen storage vessels • Provide arrangements for the technical support, planned preventative maintenance schedules and availability of spare parts for liquid nitrogen storage vessels and associated SIVL • Breakdown cover to include: o Guaranteed call out response times o Guaranteed maximum down times o Spares available for critical parts o Telephone help desk support available Further information can be found in the tender documents.
Total value (estimated)
- £6,894,000 excluding VAT
- £8,272,600 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2025 to 31 July 2030
- Possible extension to 31 July 2032
- 6 years, 11 months
Description of possible extension:
2 x 12 month extension options
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
2 x 12 month extension options
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 24111800 - Liquid nitrogen
- 63726300 - Vessel storage services
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Supply of Replacement Vessels
Description
Supply of Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessels to replace existing fleet.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,446,000 excluding VAT
- £1,735,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Supply of Additional Vessels
Description
Supply of Additional Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessels to increase capacity of existing fleet.
Lot value (estimated)
- £4,095,000 excluding VAT
- £4,914,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Maintenance of All Vessels
Description
Repair and Maintenance Services new and existing Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessels across all NHSBT sites nationally.
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,353,000 excluding VAT
- £1,623,600 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Supply of Replacement Vessels
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Supply of Additional Vessels
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Maintenance of All Vessels
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
27 June 2025, 5:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
9 July 2025, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
11 August 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 11 August 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | 60.00% |
| Quality - Technical | Quality | 30.00% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
30 days payment terms
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Stage 1 - Compliance with Specification Stage 2 - Validation
Contracting authority
NHS Blood and Transplant
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDBY-6395-VWBP
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
United Kingdom
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government