Scope
Reference
PR-4808
Description
This Framework provides access to laboratory automation equipment for anatomical pathology across five lots: tissue embedding, block facing, slide preparation, storage systems, and block transportation.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £33,333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £40,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 24 September 2025 to 24 September 2033
- 8 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 33124110 - Diagnostic systems
- 33124100 - Diagnostic devices
- 33910000 - Pathology dissection instruments and supplies
- 48921000 - Automation system
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
N/A
Lot 1. Automated Tissue Embedding Systems
Description
Provision of a system that is able to automate the process of embedding tissue specimens in paraffin to create tissue blocks and all associated services.
Lot value (estimated)
- £33,333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £40,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Tissue Block Facing Systems
Description
Provision of a system that is able to provide automated facing of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks and all associated services.
Lot value (estimated)
- £33,333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £40,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Automated Slide Preparation Systems
Description
Provision of a system that is able to automate the process of sectioning paraffin blocks and mounting tissue sections onto glass slides and all associated services.
Lot value (estimated)
- £33,333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £40,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Storage and Archiving Systems (for both blocks and slides)
Description
Provision of a system that is able to provide organised storage and retrieval of histological specimens, including both FFPE tissue blocks and microscope slides and all associated services.
Lot value (estimated)
- £33,333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £40,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 5. Block Transportation Systems
Description
Provision of a system that is able to automate the transport of FFPE blocks between laboratory workstations including embedding, microtomy, and storage areas and all associated services.
Lot value (estimated)
- £33,333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £40,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 6. Aggregated Lot
Description
Aggregation of Lot option (1-5) is designed to accommodate suppliers who can offer more than one lot service provision, combining them under a single agreement. This approach ensures that the Participating Authorities have access to a variety of services either from a single supplier or a cooperative of suppliers, enhancing the convenience and adapting a solution to their needs.
Lot value (estimated)
- £33,333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £40,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
30 September 2033
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
3%
Framework operation description
Suppliers will be ranked based on their technical and commercial scores at award stage of this Framework.
Call Off contracts will then be awarded via Direct Award or through further mini-competition with awarded suppliers under the applicable Lots. Specific technical and/or commercial elements will be awarded, scored and fed back on for all suppliers at framework award stage. Due to the unique nature of these services, they may align to a customers requirements in these areas. These unique requirements and service offerings will be differentiators at any call off stage, as well as any specific technical or commercial requirements presented by suppliers on the public sector landscape.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
The framework will be open to all UK contracting authorities as defined in Section 1 of the Procurement Act 2023. In particular, entities of a health and/or social care nature listed in the spreadsheet at https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/classificationsandstandards/economicstatisticsclassifications/introductiontoeconomicstatisticsclassifications are envisaged as users.
This includes each organisation's successors, assigns, equivalents, and associated bodies formed through organisational changes. The framework is open to: any UK health/social care bodies; organisations with similar procurement needs; and UK central government authorities listed in Annex I of Directive 2014/24/EU, where still relevant under retained EU law and consistent with the Procurement Act 2023.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Automated Tissue Embedding Systems
Lot 2. Tissue Block Facing Systems
Lot 3. Automated Slide Preparation Systems
Lot 4. Storage and Archiving Systems (for both blocks and slides)
Lot 5. Block Transportation Systems
Lot 6. Aggregated Lot
As per "ITT Guidance - Framework - Anatomical Pathology Automation" and PSQ requirements.
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Automated Tissue Embedding Systems
Lot 2. Tissue Block Facing Systems
Lot 3. Automated Slide Preparation Systems
Lot 4. Storage and Archiving Systems (for both blocks and slides)
Lot 5. Block Transportation Systems
Lot 6. Aggregated Lot
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
25 August 2025, 3:00pm
Tender submission deadline
1 September 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Via the Bravo Solutions Portal ONLY - https://healthtrusteurope.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
9 September 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical (Including Social Value) | Quality | 70% |
| Cost | Cost | 30% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
Market engagement was undertaken, though a pre-market engagement notice was not issued due to prior notices already covering the scope. Under the Pathology Solutions Prior Information Notice (PIN) (OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0468c3), 20 suppliers were consulted across two lots via Teams meetings. For Slide Storage, a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) notice was published, and discussions with 5 suppliers identified an urgent need for a procurement route focused on specialised storage and archiving for blocks and slides. This requirement aligns more effectively with the Anatomical Pathology Automation Framework, offering a streamlined approach for customer engagement. HTE considers the elapsed engagement period sufficient to confirm market readiness.
Contracting authority
Mid South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS Organisation Data Service: RAJ
Nether Mayne
Basildon
SS16 5NL
United Kingdom
Contact name: Customer Care
Telephone: 01268 524900
Email: customercare@htepg.com
Website: https://www.mse.nhs.uk/
Region: UKH37 - Essex Thames Gateway
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
HealthTrust Europe LLP
Summary of their role in this procurement: On 11th August 2021, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE) published a contract notice for procurement partner services. HealthTrust Europe LLP (HTE) was selected to provide these services under the MSE Framework, including access to HTE's public sector frameworks. HTE is now conducting this procurement exercise as part of its services to the Customers under the MSE Framework.
- Companies House: OC358224
19 George Road
Birmingham
B15 1NU
United Kingdom
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham