Scope
Reference
PROC.08.0812
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.
Contract 1. UHB WMSDE Digital Histology Annotation Solution
Supplier
Contract value
- £494,550 excluding VAT
- £593,460 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
1 December 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
1 December 2025
Standstill period
- End: 11 December 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
12 December 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 December 2025 to 11 December 2026
- Possible extension to 11 December 2030
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
4 x 12 month extension periods
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Information about tenders
- 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)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
Histofy Ltd
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVNJ-8668-NWQP
Unit 33, The Venture Centre, University of Warwick Science Park, Sir William Lyons Road
Coventry
CV4 7EZ
United Kingdom
Email: info@histofy.ai
Website: https://histofy.ai
Region: UKG33 - Coventry
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. UHB WMSDE Digital Histology Annotation Solution
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