Planning

West of England Pathology Network - Digital Histopathology

NORTH BRISTOL NHS TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

30 May 2025 at 10:08

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 May 2025 at 10:58

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The North Bristol NHS Trust is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "West of England Pathology Network - Digital Histopathology". This process focuses on providing an end-to-end digital histopathology pathway including an image management system, scanners, monitors, and related hardware. The trust aims to link these seamlessly into Trust's LIMs and include connectivity with third-party AI providers. The procurement involves a collaborative effort by the West of England Pathology Network, including trusts across regions such as Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Bath. The request for information (RFI) has been released, with engagement activities scheduled until 31st August 2025 to facilitate early supplier engagement and market understanding. Interested suppliers are encouraged to register their interest with the North Bristol NHS Trust by 6th June 2025 for further involvement.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in medical imaging equipment, IT services, and digital health technology. Companies with expertise in communication software, system management, and compliance solutions would be well-positioned to provide comprehensive bids. The procurement is set within the healthcare sector, and with a planned contract commencement in October 2026, it represents a strategic opportunity for suppliers to align with a multi-trust network. Businesses able to provide innovative data solutions and integrated medical software will find this tender especially conducive for growth, leveraging the procurement framework agreement facilitated through the Bristol and Weston Purchasing Consortium's SAP Ariba system for effective bid management.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

West of England Pathology Network - Digital Histopathology

Notice Description

The West of England Pathology Network (WoEPN) are looking to contract with a single supplier to provide an end-to-end digital histopathology pathway; to include an Image Management System (IMS), scanners, monitors and associated hardware. It should link seamlessly into Trust's LIMs and include storage. Linkages with 3rd party AI providers is also required We are looking to contract with a single supplier to provide all aspects of the above requirement, further details to be provided within the specification. The West of England Pathology Network consists of : Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust North Bristol NHS Trust Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Somerset NHS Foundation Trust UKHSA The procurement will be run through Bristol and Weston Purchasing Consortium and as such will use their e-procurement system SAP Ariba, bidders will need register to ensure access to the RFI, tender and communications - https://supplier.ariba.com Details, timelines and values are subject to change. RFI is currently aimed to be released on the 30/05/25 (subject to change). Please register your interest to Fiona.Lowther@nbt.nhs.uk by the 6th of June 2025. Response to this, although useful, is not mandatory and will not restrict suppliers from bidding. Please see timeline within the RFI for full details when published. EDIT - 30/05/2025 RFI has now been published on link https://discovery.ariba.com/rfx/23199544

Planning Information

Early Supplier engagement has commenced via Teams calls with suppliers to enable the procurement function to understand the market in order to create a successful RFI stage. A RFI will be published shortly to allow a full range of suppliers to express interest and respond to the RFI questions. There will be a non scored for information only demo (virtual) to follow which will be for the suppliers who respond to the RFI and express interest. During the RFI process there will be the option to submit clarification questions and view a draft specification for the contract. EDIT - 30/05/2025 - RFI has now been published on link - https://discovery.ariba.com/rfx/23199544

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0515aa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028705-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

48 - Software package and information systems

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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

33110000 - Imaging equipment for medical, dental and veterinary use

33197000 - Medical computer equipment

38434540 - Biomedical equipment

48170000 - Compliance software package

48180000 - Medical software package

48211000 - Platform interconnectivity software package

48510000 - Communication software package

48781000 - System management software package

48782000 - Storage management software package

48814000 - Medical information systems

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

85111800 - Pathology services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£49,999,999 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 May 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Nov 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTH BRISTOL NHS TRUST
Additional Buyers

GLOUCESTERSHIRE HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

ROYAL UNITED HOSPITALS BATH NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Contact Name
Fiona Lowther
Contact Email
fiona.lowther@nbt.nhs.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS10 5NB
Post Town
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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Bath and North East Somerset
Electoral Ward
Newbridge
Westminster Constituency
Bath

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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