Planning

Provision of end-to-end digital histopathology pathway service with integrated AI diagnostic support and NHS reporting

UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS PLYMOUTH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Dec 2025 at 13:53

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

University Hospitals Plymouth is initiating a procurement process for the provision of an end-to-end digital histopathology pathway service with integrated AI diagnostic support and NHS reporting. The industry category is pathology services, and the procurement is at the planning stage. Situated in Plymouth, United Kingdom, the contracting authority will follow the Most Suitable Provider route under the NHS Provider Selection Regime (PSR). Key dates include the tender period ending on 16 January 2026, and the start of the contract scheduled for 1 February 2026. This planned procurement is valued at £275,000 with a contract period lasting until 31 March 2027, and renewal options to be confirmed later.

This opportunity offers significant growth for businesses specialising in digital diagnostic services, particularly those focused on cancer diagnostics, due to the integrated AI support and NHS collaboration. Companies that can deliver streamlined and efficient laboratory processes, and offer a digital ecosystem for data capture and reporting, will find this contract particularly beneficial. With selective procurement methods aimed at dynamic market references, businesses capable of innovative solutions in pathology and clinical data integration are well-positioned to compete in this process. Key stakeholders include Rob Archer, Operations Manager, and Mark Austin, Clinical Support Category Manager, providing strategic direction for this valuable project.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of end-to-end digital histopathology pathway service with integrated AI diagnostic support and NHS reporting

Notice Description

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is releasing this Intended Approach Notice as per the NHS Provider Selection Regime (PSR) using the Most Suitable Provider route. As per schedule 5 under Regulation 10(3), please see below the required information. 1. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is intending to follow the Most Suitable Provider Process to award a contract. 2. The contract title - Provision of end-to-end digital histopathology pathway service with integrated AI diagnostic support and NHS reporting The contract reference - C407455 3. Provision of fully integrated cancer diagnostic services, focused on the prostate cancer pathway - from biopsy room, digital request and logistics through controlled laboratory processing, AI-supported diagnosis, and visual structured reporting - delivered within guaranteed timeframes through a unified digital ecosystem under NHS-led clinical responsibility. The service enables structured data capture to support ongoing hospital process improvement, research, and performance monitoring. This procurement will be conducted under the NHS Provider Selection Regime (PSR) using the Most Suitable Provider route. CPV Code - 85111800 4. The key decision makers involved in this procurement process are Rob Archer (Cellular & Anatomical Pathology Operations Manager), Mark Austin (Category Manager for Clinical Support)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f6c7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083391-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - by reference to dynamic market
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85111800 - Pathology services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£275,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£275,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jan 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
17 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS PLYMOUTH
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
m.austin2@nhs.net
Contact Phone
01752430312

Buyer Location

Locality
PLYMOUTH
Postcode
PL6 8DH
Post Town
Plymouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK41 Plymouth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Plymouth
Electoral Ward
Moor View
Westminster Constituency
Plymouth Moor View

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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