Scope
Description
The WMSDE, hosted by UHBNHSFT is a data storage and access platform that improves patient care by delivering innovation sooner (West Midlands Secure Data Environment (West Midlands SDE). It is part of the national Data for Research and Development programme and is one of several regional platforms in the NHS Secure Data Environment network (The NHS Research Secure Data Environment Network - NHS England Digital). The WMSDE brings together existing collective knowledge and provide conditions for further innovation to benefit people locally and right across the West Midlands region by helping to understand and improve healthcare. Committed to responsible and ethical use of health data, the WMSDE maintains stringent information governance and ethical frameworks. It operates with the necessary approvals from the Health Research Authority, ensuring compliance with all relevant standards and regulations.
Digital pathology whole slide images (WSI) represent a rich source of data that can be harnessed to develop algorithms that assist pathologists in diagnosis, providing critical information for treating a wide range of diseases. In creating these algorithms Computer scientists (CS) require WSI data to be prepared to facilitate their work. A crucial step in this preparation involves defining the pathology present within the slide and pinpointing its location so that it can be cross-referenced with the pixel data used by CS to train and test their algorithms. This process, known as semantic annotation, encompasses various levels of detail, from slide-level labels such as tissue type and disease status (positive or negative) to the identification of specific cell types and even subcellular structures, including organelles or viral inclusions. This document specifies the precise requirements for effective and efficient WSI curation, to be deployed within UHBNHSFT technical infrastructure managed by the West Midlands Secure Data Environment (WMSDE), to support the development of artificial intelligence (AI) based technologies.
The Supplier shall be responsible for processing deidentified digital pathology image data and the associated metadata for annotation purposes, utilising the techniques outlined below. The data is to be used exclusively for research and innovation activities. All processing must take place within an approved West Midlands Secure Data infrastructure (WMSDE); under no circumstances shall the data be transferred, stored, or processed outside of the intended requirements set out.
Total value (estimated)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 November 2025 to 11 November 2026
- Possible extension to 11 November 2030
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
The Contracting Authority proposes to enter into Contract(s) for a maximum period of 5 years with the successful Tenderer(s).
The initial contract term shall be 1 year with the potential for four 12 month Contract extension periods by election of the Contracting Authority, on such notice and for such periods as is specified by the Contract.
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
Contract locations
- UKG31 - Birmingham
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
As per the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) which can be found on Atamis
Technical ability conditions of participation
As per the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) which can be found on Atamis
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
9 September 2025, 3:00pm
Tender submission deadline
24 September 2025, 1:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Please search 'C385309', and then click 'Register Interest'. Once registered, please navigate to the homepage and click 'My Proposals and Quotes'.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
31 October 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | Quality | 90.00% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
The Contracting Authority will pay correctly addressed, valid and undisputed invoices within 30 days of the day on which the invoice is received or, if later, the day on which the payment falls due in accordance with the invoice in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Contract. Service Providers to the Contracting Authority must ensure comparable payment provisions apply to the payment of their sub-contractors and the sub-contractors of their sub-contractors. General requirements for an invoice for the Contracting Authority include:
• Supplier Invoice number
• A description of the good/services supplied is included.
• The Contracting Authority's reference number/Purchase Order number is included.
• It must be sent and addressed to :
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, PO Box
16967, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 6TT
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVL-6877-BXXV
Mindelsohn Way
Birmingham
B15 2WB
United Kingdom
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Organisation type: Public authority - central government