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External Quality Assessment (EQA) Service

NHS England

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

07 May 2026 at 07:55

Award Notice
Planning

30 Oct 2025 at 16:23

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "External Quality Assessment (EQA) Service" has been concluded with the award of a contract by NHS England. This process, pertaining to the Health Services category, was conducted under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Regulations 2023, which sits outside the scope of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The service is required to support the NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub by providing external quality assessments in compliance with ISO 17043, for various genomic tests listed in the NHS National Genomic Testing Directory. The limited procurement method led to a contract award without prior competition, ensuring that the direct need was met swiftly. The awarded contract commenced on 1st April 2026, is active, and runs initially for two years, with an optional one-year extension at the discretion of the Commissioner.

This tender offers substantial business growth opportunities, especially for businesses in the health services sector with expertise in genomic testing and quality assurance. The successful bidder, UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT SERVICE, reflects the expertise required in UKAS-accredited quality assurance schemes. Businesses equipped to deliver robust quality assessment services under stringent standards will find themselves well-suited to bid in such regulated procurements. Organizations that can demonstrate ISO 17043 compliance and innovative approaches to genomic testing will be particularly competitive in future tenders within this specialised area of public health services. Such contracts, valued at £2,400,000, including the optional extension period, represent significant engagement opportunities for capable service providers aiming at strategic growth within the NHS frameworks.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

External Quality Assessment (EQA) Service

Notice Description

This is a DAP A for an existing service following a Market Engagement exercise.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub (GLH) Service Specification requires each NHS GLH to:
The NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub(GLH) Service Specification requires each NHS GLH to:
* Deliver the genomic tests which are prescribed in the NHS National Genomic Testing Directory (the Directory);
* Participate and achieve satisfactory performance in UKAS-accredited (or newly developed pilots offered incompliance with ISO 17043) external quality assurance schemes to assure the quality of testing, analysis, interpretation and reporting of tests prescribed in the Directory, including Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
An award has been made following Direct Award Process A. The service started on 1st April 2026 for a period of 2 years with an option to extend for a further 1 year at the Commissioner's discretion. The total contract value of PS2,400,000.00 includes the 1 year option to extend.

Options: There is an option to extend the contract beyond the initial term for an additional 1 year.

Procurement Information

These contract awards are being made under the Direct Award Process A

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d767
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041656-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning 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

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,400,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£2,400,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
1 Apr 20264 months ago
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
NHS England
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8UG
Postcode Area
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT SERVICE

Further Information

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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