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Primary Blood Grouping Analyser & Associated Consumables

The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as Public Services Delivery Scotland) (PSD Scotland)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

28 Sep 2026 at 08:55

Award Notice
Award

23 Dec 2022 at 14:04

Award Notice
Tender

10 Aug 2022 at 08:47

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), through Public Services Delivery Scotland, procured a managed blood-grouping service for its testing laboratories in Scotland. The service supplies primary blood-grouping analysers and associated equipment, test kits, reagents, controls, calibrators and IT peripherals, with delivery, installation, staff training and comprehensive maintenance. The analysers must support ABO and RhD typing, reverse grouping, antibody and high-titre anti-A/B screening, extended Rh phenotyping, and K typing on EDTA whole-blood samples. The service supports donor blood testing, with SNBTS collecting around 150,000 donations annually, including first-time donors. Laboratory testing operates around the clock, although the primary testing workload is concentrated on weekdays and Saturdays. The procurement was structured as a single lot.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to Beckman Coulter Ltd following an open procedure. Three bids were received, including three from small and medium-sized businesses. Quality accounted for 60% of the evaluation and price for 40%. The contract was signed on 21 December 2022 and runs from 1 February 2024 to 31 January 2029, with an initial five-year term and up to five optional 12-month extensions. The original contract value was £840,000; a later modification revised the published value to £1,818,311 to include the potential extension periods. The updated value reflects the full possible term, not a change to the other contract terms. Bidders had to provide turnover information for the previous three years, evidence of relevant supplies or services delivered in the previous three years, and employer, public and product liability insurance of £5 million each.

For suppliers considering similar future work for SNBTS, this award shows demand for an integrated blood-grouping service rather than equipment alone. A credible competitor would need to provide suitable analysers and the full range of consumables, controls and calibrators, alongside installation, training and comprehensive ongoing maintenance. The system must perform the specified donor-testing assays reliably on EDTA whole-blood samples and fit a laboratory operation that runs 24 hours a day, with primary testing focused on weekdays and Saturdays and results needed in time for blood-component labelling. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate comparable deliveries or services from the preceding three years, sound financial standing and the stated levels of employer, public and product liability cover. The three bids, all from SMEs, indicate that the requirement attracted competition from smaller businesses as well as larger suppliers.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Primary Blood Grouping Analyser & Associated Consumables

Notice Description

SNBTS wishes to contract for the provision of a managed service comprising the supply of Primary Blood Grouping Analysers, incorporating all equipment, test kits, reagents, relevant controls and calibrators, I.T.peripherals, delivery, installation, training and fully comprehensive systems maintenance

Lot Information

Lot 1

Provision of a managed service comprising the supply of Primary Blood Grouping Analysers, incorporating all equipment, test kits, reagents, relevant controls and calibrators, I.T.peripherals, delivery, installation, training and fully comprehensive systems maintenance. Contract length - 5 years for with the option for five (5), twelve (12) month extensions. Donor Testing is staffed 24/7 however the focus for Primary testing is from 07.00 to 16.00, Mondays to Saturday. All testing must be completed by 15.00 to allow labelling of the blood components. SNBTS collects approximately 150,000 donations per year and approximately 10% of which are first time donors. Testing is performed on EDTA whole blood samples. The new blood grouping system will be required to perform the following tests: - ABO/RhD typing including all D Categories and reverse typing using A1 and B cells - Antibody screen - High titre anti-A/B screen - Extended Rh phenotyping (C, c, E, e) - K typing

Options: SNBTS may extend the contract for up to 5 x 12 month periods.

Renewal: The Contract period shall be for an initial period of 60 months from the date of commencement of the Contract. SNBTS shall be entitled, at its option, to continue the period of the Contract for five (5) twelve (12) month extension periods.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-035a72
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091236-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

33100000 - Medical equipments

50421000 - Repair and maintenance services of medical equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£2,658,311 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Sep 20264 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
12 Sep 2022Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2024 - 31 Jan 2029 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Five (5), Twelve (12) month extensions will be allowed.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
The Common Services Agency (more commonly known as Public Services Delivery Scotland) (PSD Scotland)
Additional Buyers

Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service

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
EH12 9EB
Postcode Area
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
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Drum Brae/Gyle
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Beckman Coulter UK Ltd

Further Information

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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