Scope
Description
Vapour phase liquid nitrogen vessels
• Interface with an automated liquid nitrogen supply
• Maintain inventory below -160C
• Minimise risk of transient warming events (>-160OC) during storage and retrieval of products
• Operate within a standard laboratory environment
• Have temperature controls with visible and audible alarms
• Comply with CE/UKCA mark regulations.
• Range of sizes and options available for the following inventory:
o bags ranging from 25 - 750ml
o tissue allografts of various sizes
o sample tubes ranging from 1ml - 10ml
Maintenance of existing & new liquid nitrogen storage vessels
• Provide arrangements for the technical support, planned preventative maintenance schedules and availability of spare parts for liquid nitrogen storage vessels and associated SIVL
• Breakdown cover to include:
o Guaranteed call out response times
o Guaranteed maximum down times
o Spares available for critical parts
o Telephone help desk support available
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Supply of Replacement Vessels
Description
Supply of Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessels to replace existing fleet.
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Supply of Additional Vessels
Description
Supply of Additional Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessels to increase capacity of existing fleet.
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Maintenance of All Vessels
Description
Repair and Maintenance Services new and existing Liquid Nitrogen Storage Vessels across all NHSBT sites nationally.
Contract 1. Supply & Maintenance of Liquid Nitrogen Cryogenic Storage Vessels
Lots
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Supply of Replacement Vessels
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Supply of Additional Vessels
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Maintenance of All Vessels
Supplier
Contract value
- £3,456,000 excluding VAT
- £4,147,200 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
6 November 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
7 November 2025
Standstill period
- End: 18 November 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
30 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2030
- Possible extension to 30 November 2032
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
2 x 12 month extension options
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 24111800 - Liquid nitrogen
- 63726300 - Vessel storage services
- 45213210 - Cold-storage installations
Information about tenders
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Supply of Replacement Vessels
- 5 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Supply of Additional Vessels
- 5 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Maintenance of All Vessels
- 3 tenders received
- 1 tender assessed in the final stage:
- 1 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Submission
Submission type
Tenders
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Supplier
Thames Cryogenics Limited
- Companies House: 04712793
Gooch Drive
Didcot
OX11 7PR
United Kingdom
Email: sales@thamescryogenics.com
Region: UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Supply & Maintenance of Liquid Nitrogen Cryogenic Storage Vessels
Contracting authority
NHS Blood and Transplant
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDBY-6395-VWBP
500 North Bristol Park
Bristol
BS34 7QH
United Kingdom
Contact name: Jo Murphy
Telephone: 01179212718
Email: jo.murphy@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