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Contract for the provision of pathology diagnostic testing (S4 network)

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

07 Jul 2025 at 14:34

Tender Notice
Award

23 May 2025 at 12:37

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GWH) has completed the award stage for the contract titled "Contract for the provision of pathology diagnostic testing (S4 network)," classified under the pathology services industry category. This direct award has been made to the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) "Most Suitable Provider" process. The procurement method did not involve a prior call for competition, highlighting the specific suitability of OUH within the S4 pathology network. The contract, valued at an estimated £2,040,000, runs from 6th June 2025 to 5th June 2026, with key decision-makers affirming the transparency and strategic alignment with NHS requirements. The award process was confirmed through a review strategy based on a 100% weighted criteria set, targeting integration, quality, and cost considerations.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in pathology diagnostic testing services within NHS networks. Firms capable of leveraging technological integration, collaboration, and innovation will find this contract suitable as it focuses on improving service delivery through interconnected systems like LIMs. The initiative also emphasizes centralising testing, offering business growth potential to enterprises aligned with NHS strategic objectives, including enhancing service quality and operational efficiencies. Businesses with expertise in medical testing infrastructure, particularly those with existing NHS relationships, will be well-positioned to compete and potentially collaborate under similar frameworks in the future.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Contract for the provision of pathology diagnostic testing (S4 network)

Notice Description

This is a direct award to Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (referred to as OUH), for the provision of pathology diagnostic testing under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) "Most Suitable Provider". This is an inter-NHS contract award

Lot Information

Lot 1

This is a direct award to Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) under the
Provider Selection Regime (PSR) using the "Most Suitable Provider" process. The contract is for the provision of pathology diagnostic testing currently outsourced within the NHS.
As per the NHSE strategy to deliver cost effective pathology services and build resilience, improve internal delivery and deliver social value, GWH will be repatriating some of its existing outsourced testing within its NHS partners for Immunology/Haematology /Blood sciences into the S4 Pathology network hub.

English Trusts are divided into various pathology networks with a central hub arrangement. GWH is part of S4. The network participants are connected via Lims which went Live for GWH in May 2025.

The contract term is for one year, from 06/06/2025 to 05/06/2026.

The estimated contract value for one year is PS2,400,000. This contract value is a forecast only. The value of the contract is determined by the test type, actual test volume and driven by patient need. Contract value for 25025/2026 will be subject to benchmark prior to contract expiry.

As shown in the disclosed criteria, the main weighted criteria, Integration, Collaboration and Service is
weighted at 50%, as the key objective to centralise testing within the S4 pathology network, connected via LIMs. The other elements of quality-led criteria total a further 40% of the weighting. Value in terms of cost
has been weighted at 10% because integration, and maintaining the quality of the service is the main objective.

GWH will be awarding this contract under PSR "Most suitable provider" as OUH are the only organisation that is a) part of the S4 pathology network and therefore fulfils NHSE strategic requirements for a future pathology service b) as the hub lead, can deliver the testing required c) from May 2025, will be connected to OUH via LIMs.

OUH already deliver part of the testing requirement under existing arrangements. University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (referred to as UHS) also provide pathology testing services to GWH under long term contractual arrangements. GWH are awarding this under the PSR regime as the "Most Suitable provider" as OUH is a) the hub lead and b) connected to GWH via LIMs. GWH will no longer be able to transfer those tests via any other route. UHS are supporting GWH as part of the transfer of the work into OUH. This process will therefore centralise the inter NHS testing under one contract.

Procurement Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice (F03) . The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. GWH intends to observe a standstill period of eight working days. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 4pm 5th June 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR'.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-052231
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037848-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender 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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85111800 - Pathology services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£2,040,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jul 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN3 6BB
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Ridgeway
Westminster Constituency
East Wiltshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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