Planning

Provision of Analysers and Consumables to Test Total Protein Assays from Apheresis Donors and Donations

NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

06 Feb 2026 at 08:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Blood and Transplant, a central government public authority based in Bristol, UK, is in the planning stage of a procurement process for analysers and consumables to test total protein assays from apheresis donors and donations. The preliminary market engagement notice aims to gauge potential interest from suppliers before the formal tendering process. This engagement includes a deadline of 28th February 2026 for interested parties to express their interest, with engagement activities such as questionnaires and possible video calls scheduled for March 2026. The project spans the procurement of goods with a potential start date set for January 2027, subject to further planning outcomes. The estimated value of the contract is £1,512,000, and it is anticipated to conclude in December 2031, with the option for extensions.

This procurement opportunity offers significant growth potential for suppliers in the medical equipment and healthcare technology sectors, particularly those specialising in analysers and diagnostic equipment. Firms with capabilities in providing comprehensive solutions, including the delivery, installation, maintenance, and provision of consumables for such analysers, would be ideally positioned to compete. With NHS Blood and Transplant considering shifting their testing requirements in-house, responsive and innovative companies could benefit from a long-term engagement, consolidating their presence in the UK healthcare market. Interested businesses are encouraged to participate in the preliminary market engagement to align their offerings with NHSBT's needs and potentially influence the final procurement specification.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Analysers and Consumables to Test Total Protein Assays from Apheresis Donors and Donations

Notice Description

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are responsible for collecting plasma and platelet donations in England. There is a requirement for NHSBT to undertake total protein testing on these donations and the donors. As part of the preliminary market engagement exercise, NHSBT are seeking to engage with potential suppliers of analysers that can run total protein assays. 1. General Requirements - Background: For Donor Safety: All apheresis donors require a total protein test on their first donation, and this is repeated at every 8th donation and at least annually. Total protein must not be less than 60g/L. For Quality Monitoring: Total protein is tested in: a. 1% of recovered plasma donations (from whole blood donations); b. 1% of apheresis plasma donations; and c. 1% of concurrent apheresis plasma donations (obtained during platelet donation). Total protein must not be less than 50g/L. NHSBT currently outsource this testing to a 3rd Party. NHSBT are considering bringing this testing in house from 2027. Please note a final decision has not been made on this and the information obtained from this preliminary market engagement will help to inform the decision. 2. Requirement: NHSBT potentially has a requirement for the purchase/loan of up to three analysers that can run special protein assays. Whilst total protein testing is the primary requirement, NHSBT may also be looking to test for immunoglobulins (IgG) and albumin as part of the requirement. As a general overview, the contracted supplier would be responsible for: a. Providing analysers that can test for total protein, and ideally, also IgG and Albumin. This includes delivery of the machines to one/all of the three manufacturing sites - located at Filton, Colindale and Manchester; b. Providing key consumables including assay-specific reagents; c. Potentially providing the software (including training) to analyse the results - note: this requirement is still under consideration; and d. Providing a maintenance and repair service to cover all planned maintenance and any repairs. 3. Contract Duration: The contract duration is still under consideration. The market engagement will enquire about machine lifespan which will further inform the contract length. The current assumption is 5 years plus 2 x 1-year options. The estimated contract value is based on 7 years.

Planning Information

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 28/02/2026. Market engagement is likely to take place via a questionnaire and potentially video calls in March 2026. There is no guarantee that a formal procurement process will be launched as a result of this preliminary 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 preliminary 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-064996
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010748-2026
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

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38434000 - Analysers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,260,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Feb 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jun 20265 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 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
James Marshall
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
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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