Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Blood and Transplant
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
Contact
Rowena Thomas
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK11 - Bristol, City of
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Assessment and Recovery Centres (ARCs) - Pilot Locations
Reference number
C380675
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85121300 - Surgical specialist services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
An ARC is an Assessment and Recovery Centre facility that will bring together and implement ex situ machine perfusion techniques at the centre of a national network. Marginal organs will be retrieved and assessed for transplantation, extending their viability between donation and transplantation. In the future, organ function could be transformed and organs repaired.
An ARC is proposed as a dedicated facility for organ perfusion techniques, utilising ex situ Machine Perfusion to undertake expert assessment, to de-risk transplantation and to better understand organ viability.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are looking to establish contracts with suitably experienced NHS Transplant Centres who meet the mandatory requirements to become an ARC location during this pilot phase.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £1,560,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85146200 - Services provided by transplant organ banks
- 85146200 - Services provided by transplant organ banks
- 85111100 - Surgical hospital services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Blood and Transplant are looking to establish contracts with suitably experienced NHS Transplant Centres who meet the mandatory requirements to become an ARC location during this pilot phase.
There will be awards made across three 'lots', relating to either lungs, livers or kidneys.
Pilot locations will need to show confirmation/commitment to the following:
- Confirmation that a trained, competent and experienced workforce is available for the pilot
- Confirmation that CE/UKCA marked proprietary perfusion technology is available in centre and will be used for ARC organs
- Confirmation that suitable space for the ARC pilot is available
- Commitment to data collection, as directed by ARC Programme
- Commitment to results reporting, data transfer, and statutory requirements
- Commitment to working in partnership with NHSBT to ensure pilots are devised and delivered in accordance with requirements of the NHSBT Quality Management System
- Future commitment to integration throughout pilot process to developing multi-organ approach
- Future commitment to environmental sustainability within ARCs pilots and programme
- Commitment to NHSBT-led debriefs
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
28 October 2025
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intended approach notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.
The intention is to award contract using the most suitable provider process. This will be to multiple providers across lung, liver and kidney requirements to support the pilot phase of this initiative.
The award decision-makers will be the NHSBT ARC Project Board.