Award

Core Molecular Testing

LOTHIAN HEALTH BOARD

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

13 Apr 2026 at 15:33

Award

07 Oct 2025 at 10:59

Award

22 Jun 2021 at 14:05

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for "Core Molecular Testing" orchestrated by NHS Lothian has recently been concluded. The contract, valued at £3,000,000, was awarded on 9 April 2026 to Abbott Laboratories Ltd under a direct award procedure without prior call for competition. The procurement falls under the laboratory services industry, with a primary focus on delivering a managed molecular testing service for NHS Lothian. The location of services is within the UKM75 region, specifically in Edinburgh. The contract spans a period of three years, aimed at ensuring the continuity of service amidst ongoing system upgrades within NHS networks.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses capable of providing specialised laboratory services, specifically those with experience in managing comprehensive service solutions within the healthcare sector. Large-scale businesses, like Abbott Laboratories Ltd, are well-suited to meet the complex technical and clinical requirements outlined in the contract. Businesses with capabilities in managing critical healthcare services and maintaining high standards of operational reliability and data integrity could benefit significantly from such awards. The procurement approach adopted by NHS Lothian is strategic, aiming to mitigate any operational disruption and to sustain patient care quality during key technological transitions.

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Notice Title

Core Molecular Testing

Notice Description

Provision of the Managed Laboratory Service for NHS Lothian for its core molecular testing requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Lothian Health Board (more commonly known as NHS Lothian) requires a managed service solution for its core molecular testing capacity for a contract period of 3 years. The Supplier will assume responsibility for the guaranteed availability of the managed service solution through the provision and management including maintenance.

Procurement Information

This contract is being awarded under the Direct Award procedure under Lot 1 - Clinical Managed Services of the SBS Framework for Clinical Managed Services including Managed Maintenance Services SBS10251. National Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) replacement program is currently being rolled out across the Boards in Scotland and NHS Lothian have been recently given a go live date which coincides with the expiry of the current Managed Service Contract (MSC) for molecular testing. LIMS implementation delay would have a knock-on effect on other Boards hence it is imperative NHS Lothian maintains the timeline. A potential change of supplier due to competition would introduce significant clinical risk at the operational and programme level in terms of potential dual interface builds/manual transcription, increased potential for misidentification or data integrity errors as well as diversion of essential specialist resource away from the LIMS programme at a time when stability is critical. Most importantly, a change of supplier would put a disproportionate risk to patient care. To reduce clinical risk during unavoidable LIMS implementation a direct award of core molecular testing MSC is recommended under Procurement Act 2023 Schedule 5 Paragraph 7: "(b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance."

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-02bef1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033429-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£6,500,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 May 20214 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LOTHIAN HEALTH BOARD
Additional Buyers

NHS LOTHIAN

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 3EG
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ABBOTT LABORATORIES

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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