Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Supply Chain Coordination Limited
Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road
London
SE1 8UG
alexandra.gothard@supplychain.nhs.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Standalone Non-Imaging Vibration-Controlled Ultrasound System
Reference number
Project_1490
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 33100000 - Medical equipments
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Supply Chain intends to launch a National Framework Agreement for the provision of Ultrasound System to Quantify Liver and or Spleen Stiffness and Measure Liver Steatosis that includes the following:
• The ability to measure liver stiffness to quantify fibrosis and cirrhosis.
• The ability to measure fatty liver to quantify steatosis non-invasively.
• The functionality of Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE) technology.
• The ability to allow any clinical practitioners to use the system rather than a trained sonographer only.
For the avoidance of doubt consumables will only be in scope of the proposed Framework if purchased alongside the types of equipment, as stated in any subsequent specification.
Precise quantities are unknown. It is anticipated that initial expenditure will be in the region of £17,500,000 in the first year of this Framework Agreement, however this is approximate only and the values may vary depending on the requirements of those bodies purchasing under the Framework Agreement. The estimated value over the total Framework Agreement term (including any extension options) is anticipated to be in the region of £35,000,000.
NHS Supply Chain engaged with suppliers that can provide a Standalone Non-Imaging Vibration-Controlled Ultrasound System to Quantify Liver and or Spleen Stiffness and Measure Liver Steatosis. The PIN 2024/S 000-039307 intended to identify such providers with a view to ultimately align this solution within the scope of Endoscopy and Ultrasound Framework which is due for renewal in November 2026. Suppliers capable of delivering such a solution were invited to submit proposals to provide a route to market that enables access for the NHS during the interim period until the award of the new framework on 2nd November 2026.
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: £35,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Following the publication of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) NHS Supply Chain is entering into a Framework Agreement for the provision of a Standalone Non-Imaging Vibration-Controlled Ultrasound System to Quantify Liver and or Spleen Stiffness and Measure Liver Steatosis that includes the following:
• The ability to measure liver stiffness to quantify fibrosis and cirrhosis.
• The ability to measure fatty liver to quantify steatosis non-invasively.
• The functionality of Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE) technology.
• The ability to allow any clinical practitioners to use the system rather than a trained sonographer only.
NHS Supply Chain intends to enter into a Framework Agreement with 1 available supplier. The term of this Framework Agreement is anticipated to be up to the end date of 10 November 2026, will the option to extend for up to 12 months.
The Framework Agreement will be between NHS Supply Chain and the Supplier, however 1) NHSSC, 2) any NHS Trust; 3) any other NHS entity; 4) any government department, agency or other statutory body and/or 5) any private sector entity active in the UK healthcare sector will be able to enter into a direct contract with the Supplier for any of the supplies and/or services under the Framework. Electronic ordering will be used and electronic invoicing will be accepted and electronic payment will be used. For the avoidance of doubt and
notwithstanding the estimate indicated at II.1.7, NHSSC does not guarantee any level of purchase through the framework. Any agreement entered will be considered a contract made in England according to English law and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Cost criterion - Name: Not Applicable / Weighting: 100
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Option to extend up to a total of 12 months
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
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
There was only 1 supplier in the market that met all the requirements following the publication of a PIN.
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: 2025/S 000-007019
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
Project_1490
Title
Standalone Non-Imaging Vibration-Controlled Ultrasound System
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
20 May 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 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
Echosens UK Limited
Altincham
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD34 - Greater Manchester South West
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £35,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Country
United Kingdom