Planning

Supply of Plasmids and Synthetic DNA for Viral Vector Manufacture

NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

13 Aug 2025 at 07:21

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "Supply of Plasmids and Synthetic DNA for Viral Vector Manufacture" is currently in the planning stage, driven by NHS Blood and Transplant, a public authority central to the UK government. The procurement exercise is inviting further market engagement for the supply of nucleic acids, specifically plasmid DNA, synthetically and enzymatically produced DNA, for use in gene therapy vectors. NHSBT has issued this preliminary engagement to include synthetic options after initial engagement lacked them. Business stakeholders are urged to express their interest in this engagement by contacting the NHSBT by 12:00 hrs (GMT) on 12 September 2025, with the engagement set to take place via video calls later that month. This contract opportunity is valued at £8,640,000, indicating a significant investment in clinical products, with plans stretching from June 2026 until June 2034, highlighting a long-term collaboration potential.

This tender presents businesses within the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industry an opportunity to expand into the gene therapy market by supplying crucial components used in both clinical trials and commercial production. Firms that possess capabilities in the production of high-grade plasmids and synthetic DNA, particularly those engaged in GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) production or conducted R&D in nucleic acids, will find this tender particularly suited to their expertise. Moreover, the planned framework agreements facilitate ongoing partnerships, offering sustained growth and stability for businesses involved. The engagement process is an excellent entry point for suppliers to align with NHSBT's requirements, positioning themselves as key players in innovative therapeutic vectors development.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply of Plasmids and Synthetic DNA for Viral Vector Manufacture

Notice Description

As part of a preliminary market engagement exercise, NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) are seeking to engage with suppliers of nucleic acids including plasmid DNA; synthetically produced DNA and/or enzymatically produced DNA. The intended use of the nucleic acids by NHSBT includes: a) the GMP grade production of gene therapy vectors such as lentiviral, adeno-associated viral vectors and novel gene therapy vectors, for clinical trials and commercial production where applicable; b) gene therapy vectors suitable for pre-clinical studies, such as toxicology and biodistribution studies and gene therapy vectors suitable for R&D purposes.

Planning Information

NHSBT conducted initial market engagement for ' Supply of Viral Vector Plasmids', via issue of a PIN under the Procurement Contract Regulations (Notice Identifier: 2024/S 000-029545). NHSBT have since updated the requirement to include synthetically produced DNA and/or enzymatically produced DNA. Therefore NHSBT are looking to engage further with suppliers who may have been missed from the initial market engagement, due to synthetic plasmids not being included. If you are interested in taking part in the market engagement, please contact james.marshall2@nhsbt.nhs.uk by no later than 12:00 hrs (GMT) on 12/09/2025. Market engagement is likely to take place via video calls in September 2025. 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-0586a2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048226-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
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

CPV Codes

33698000 - Clinical products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Jun 2026 - 14 Jun 2034 Over 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
NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
james.marshall2@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 7QH
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
TLK11 Bristol, City of
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Filton
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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