Planning

Supply of Sample Tubes

NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

27 Jan 2026 at 15:40

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

27 Jan 2026 at 14:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is inviting suppliers to participate in the procurement process for the supply of sample tubes, in a planning stage with a focus on market engagement. Located at 500 North Bristol Park, Bristol, this procurement process falls under the industry category of Medical Equipment, Pharmaceuticals, and Personal Care Products. Interested suppliers are encouraged to express their interest in the project, which spans from 7th August 2026 to 6th August 2031, with potential for renewal. Suppliers should contact Jo Murphy at jo.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk by 6th February 2026 to participate in the pre-tender questionnaire phase.

This procurement presents growth opportunities for businesses specializing in medical supplies and equipment, particularly those adept in the production of sample tubes equipped with specific features such as K2 EDTA with colour-coded caps, as well as automated de-capping equipment. Companies with the capability to provide a robust supply chain and meet stringent compliance and quality standards will be well-positioned to compete. With an estimated contract value of £2 million, this tender presents a substantial opportunity for growth within the healthcare supply sector, stimulating innovation and efficiency improvements in blood and tissue donation testing processes.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply of Sample Tubes

Notice Description

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority in England, with responsibilities across the United Kingdom for organ donation and transplantation. Our core purpose is to 'save and improve lives' through the provision of a safe and reliable supply of blood components, solid organs, stem cells, tissues and related services to the NHS, and to the other UK Health Services where directed. Testing function in the Blood Supply Directorate performs a wide range of testing services, these include but are not limited to the large-scale blood grouping and microbiological screening of blood and tissue donations. The Authority has two testing sites in England, in which approximately 1.5 million donations are tested each year. Each donation bled requires a minimum of 3 x 6mL sample tubes to be taken into K2 EDTA tubes which have colour coded caps for identification purposes. Some donors also require additional tubes these include but are not limited to 4mL EDTA and K3 EDTA tubes. Tubes are of the evacuation type and the Authority requires a unique bar-code label to be affixed at bed side over a blank manufacturers label. The Authority also requires automated de-capping equipment at each of the Authority's Testing sites which have sufficient capacity to handle the daily workload by safely removing at least 40 original stoppers from sample tubes per minutes per decapper, with a minimum de-capping success rate at 95%. To find out more about this opportunity, or to an express an interest, please contact jo.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk before Friday 6th February 2026.

Planning Information

Interested suppliers will receive a pre-tender questionnaire for completion. Please contact jo.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk to register your interest.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060fcc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007219-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

33000000 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
6 Aug 2026 - 6 Aug 2031 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
Jo Murphy
Contact Email
jo.murphy@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
Not specified
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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