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Next Generation Sequencing Testing (NGS)

NHS Blood and Transplant

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

26 Oct 2026 at 08:28

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

25 Jun 2026 at 11:30

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

26 Jan 2026 at 11:05

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

12 Jan 2026 at 08:35

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

15 May 2025 at 16:45

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Blood and Transplant buys next-generation sequencing (NGS) quality-control testing for its Cellular and Molecular Therapies directorate, specifically the Clinical Biotechnology Centre. The centre handles products used to produce advanced therapy investigational medicinal products and starter-material master cell banks; the testing is required to check these products against regulatory requirements. The service covers NGS analysis and reporting, with E. coli culture and DNA extraction where required, as well as notification of major out-of-specification results or non-conformances. The work is delivered in Bristol. This is a specialist laboratory testing service, rather than general sequencing or stand-alone consultancy: suppliers need to support quality control for regulated cell and gene therapy-related materials.

The procurement is complete and SGS United Kingdom Limited was selected. The award was dated 24 June 2026; the contract was signed on 13 October 2026 and is active. The contracted value is £407,200 excluding VAT (£488,640 including VAT). The contract runs from 13 October 2026 to 12 October 2027, with an option to extend for 12 months, to a maximum end date of 12 October 2028. The procurement used an open competitive flexible procedure, planned as a two-stage process with tender assessment and presentations. It was a single-lot requirement. Evaluation weighted price at 60%, quality at 30% and social value at 10%. Technical and economic selection requirements were set out in the procurement documents; the technical requirements included an EU Good Manufacturing Practice licence. One bid was received.

For suppliers considering similar future work for NHS Blood and Transplant, this award demonstrates demand for specialist NGS quality-control services supporting regulated advanced therapy products and master cell banks. A credible competitor would need an EU Good Manufacturing Practice licence and the laboratory capability to process relevant samples, including E. coli culture and DNA extraction when required, then deliver NGS analysis with an approved report. Delivery performance matters: the contract sets a three-week turnaround for analysis and reporting after receipt of a valid sample and required information, and a one-week limit for any required culture or extraction before sequencing begins. Suppliers must also be able to notify NHSBT of major out-of-specification events or non-conformances within one business day, with containment actions and next steps. The buyer assessed quality and social value alongside price.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Next Generation Sequencing Testing (NGS)

Notice Description

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are seeking a provider for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) QC testing requirements for the Cellular and Molecular Therapies (CMT) directorate, namely the Clinical Biotechnology Centre (CBC). CBC handle a number of products in the production of Advanced Therapeutic Investigational Medicinal Products (ATMPs) and starter material master cell banks (MCBs). These require NGS QC testing services that meet specific regulatory requirements.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: One (1) year optional extension

Renewal: One (1) year optional extension

Planning Information

Interested suppliers are asked to express their interest to rowena.thomas@nhsbt.nhs.uk and carley.butcher@nhsbt.nhs.uk by 5pm on Friday, 13th June 2025. Suppliers expressing an interest will be invited to attend an early market engagement exercise supplier meeting during the week of the 16th June 2025 (note: date subject to change). Prior to this session, interested suppliers will be provided with a draft specification of requirements and short questionnaire related to requirements. There is no guarantee that a formal procurement process will be launched as a result of this early market engagement exercise, nor that any contract(s) will be placed. No remuneration or compensation etc will be paid to organisations who take part in this early market engagement exercise. Suppliers should take part in this process only on the basis that they fully understand and accept this position.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0514f8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100796-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72225000 - System quality assurance assessment and review services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£407,200 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£407,200 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Oct 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
20 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
17 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
24 Jun 20264 months ago
Contract Period
13 Oct 2026 - 12 Oct 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS Blood and Transplant
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 7QH
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
TLK11 Bristol, City of
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Filton
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SGS United Kingdom Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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