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.
Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (H&I) is a strategic business function of NHSBT, that provides a portfolio of testing, advice and support in transplantation, platelet refractoriness and transfusion reactions.
Services are supplied through a national network of six laboratories across England. We would like to work with future suppliers of choice to perform HLA rapid typing system in an efficient, timely and cost-effective manner to meet the demands and expectations of our customers and the patients we serve.
We require HLA rapid typing system(s) to cover the following:
• The solution must detect, as a minimum, all alleles of the HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DRB3/4/5,DQA1, DQB1, DPA1 and DPB1 loci as defined in:
o Minimum typing requirements for reporting donor and recipient HLA types.
o HLA Conversion Chart for Organ Allocation.
• The solution must comprise of the essential kits and associated consumables to obtain a result and positive identification of samples throughout the process.
From test material addition to the availability of an interpreted results the turnaround time should be less than three hours.
In addition, we are also interested in technology that can:
• Provide 2nd field HLA type at the above loci
• In under 6 hours
Lot 1: Provision of testing kits, consumables, and analysis software
Lot 2: Provision of equipment and equipment consumables
Lot 3: Provision of equipment maintenance
Lot 4: Development
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £2,100,000 excluding VAT
- £2,500,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2034
- 8 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 33100000 - Medical equipments
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Weighting for Lot 1 :
Quality / Technical (mandatory) Requirement - Pass/Fail
Quality scored requirements -30%
Social Value Requirement -10%
Commercial Requirement-60%
Weighting for Lot 2 & 3
Quality / Technical (mandatory) Requirement and Quality scored requirements - Pass/Fail
Social Value Requirement -10%
Commercial Requirement-90%
Weighting for Lot 4
Quality / Technical (mandatory) Requirement and Quality scored requirements - Pass/Fail
Social Value Requirement and Commercial Requirement - N/A
Lot Lot 1 (was 1). Provision of testing kits, consumables, and analysis software
Description
Lot 1: Provision of testing kits, consumables, and analysis software (direct award to two suppliers)
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,458,000 excluding VAT
- £1,749,600 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 2. Provision of equipment and equipment consumables
Description
Lot 2: Provision of equipment and equipment consumables (a place on the framework to two suppliers, mini-comp to award to one supplier)
Lot value (estimated)
- £280,000 excluding VAT
- £336,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 3. Provision of equipment maintenance
Description
Lot 3: Provision of equipment maintenance (a place on the framework to two suppliers, mini-comp to award to one supplier)
Lot value (estimated)
- £320,000 excluding VAT
- £384,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot Lot 4. Development
Description
Lot 4: Development (to award Framework to all Suppliers who meet specification, subsequent call-off shall be through a mini- competition, if required).
Lot value (estimated)
- £0 excluding VAT
- £0 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
6
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Justification for framework term over 4 years
capital investment
Framework operation description
Lot 1, via mini competition or direct award. The intention is for Authority to issue two direct award contracts to the Suppliers who rank 1 and 2, each supplier will be given approx. 50% of the business each as the exact volumes will not be guaranteed.
Lot 2, via direct award or mini competition, the intention is for the Authority to run a mini competition with one of the criteria being based on the outcome of Lot 1, the kits must be compatible with this equipment, then the most advantageous bid will win the call off contract after the award for lot 1 has been completed.
Lot 3, via direct award or mini competition, the intention is for the Authority to run a mini competition with one of the criteria being based on the outcome of Lot 2, the maintenance s must be compatible with the equipment from Lot 2, then the most advantageous bid will win the call off contract after the award for lot 2 has been completed.
Lot 4: Mini-Competition option only (all Framework Suppliers who are on the framework)
Award method when using the framework
With competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
NHS Blood and Transplant, Welsh Blood Service, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and the NHS North West London Pathology (NHS Hammersmith).
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot Lot 1 (was 1). Provision of testing kits, consumables, and analysis software
Lot Lot 2. Provision of equipment and equipment consumables
Lot Lot 3. Provision of equipment maintenance
Lot Lot 4. Development
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
15 August 2025, 5:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
29 August 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)
1 January 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 January 2026
Award criteria
Lot Lot 1 (was 1). Provision of testing kits, consumables, and analysis software
Lot Lot 3. Provision of equipment maintenance
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Cost | 90.00% |
| Quality | Quality | 10.00% |
Lot Lot 2. Provision of equipment and equipment consumables
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| cost | Cost | 90.00% |
| Quality | Quality | 10.00% |
Lot Lot 4. Development
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Quality | Quality |
Weighting description
this shall be Pass/Fail requirement
Other information
Payment terms
30 days payment terms
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Stage 1 - Compliance with Specification
Stage 2 - Evaluation
Contracting authorities
NHS Blood and Transplant
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDBY-6395-VWBP
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
United Kingdom
Contact name: purchasing@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Email: purchasing@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
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYMN-2374-JNRY
St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street
London
W2 1NY
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government