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SPECIMEN TRANSPORTERS

Cardiff and Vale University health board

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

27 Mar 2026 at 14:21

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

10 Feb 2026 at 14:58

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

09 Feb 2026 at 09:34

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has completed the procurement process for "Specimen Transporters" in the healthcare industry. This contract involves the distribution of External Quality Assessment (EQA) materials globally, requiring bespoke packaging solutions for biological specimens. The procurement process has progressed to the award stage, with the contract beginning on 23rd March 2026 and expected to conclude on 22nd March 2028. MEDDX Solutions Limited, based in Hereford, was awarded the contract through a direct procurement method. The procurement process was guided by technical specifications and the continuity requirements due to the bespoke nature of the products involved.

This tender creates opportunities primarily for businesses specialising in medical equipment and packaging compliance with international transport regulations. Companies with expertise in bespoke biocompatible packaging and those capable of meeting specified operational requirements would be well-suited to participate in similar future tenders. The direct award highlights a focus on maintaining existing supplier relationships for highly specialised products, indicating opportunity for businesses with a track record of bespoke service provision. Additionally, there is scope for innovation in sustainable materials in related contracts, promoting growth for firms that can provide environmentally friendly solutions. The contract’s renewal options also suggest potential for extended partnership with the Health Board.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SPECIMEN TRANSPORTERS

Notice Description

WEQAS require a specialist packaging solution to distribute External Quality Assessment (EQA) material to more than 35,000 sites globally each month. The packaging must provide a compliant, leak-proof secondary containment for Exempt and Category B Biological Specimens, using sustainable materials where possible.

Procurement Information

The direct award justification applies as the current supplier has historically supplied the specialist specimen transporters and associated packaging products required for the WEQAS service. The products supplied are bespoke and designed specifically to meet WEQAS operational requirements, including unique vial sizes, transport combinations and international biological specimen transport regulations. The transporters incorporate patented leak-proof clamshell technology with integrated absorbent material and are manufactured to meet IATA transport compliance standards. These specifications are essential to ensure the safe and compliant transport of External Quality Assessment materials distributed globally. The products supplied are bespoke to WEQAS and have been developed and refined over a number of years to meet specific operational and regulatory requirements. Replicating this design and manufacturing process with an alternative supplier would present significant technical, regulatory and operational risks, including potential disruption to service delivery. Continuity of supply is critical as WEQAS distributes over 35,000 EQA consignments per month worldwide. Any disruption to packaging supply would impact international distribution and service delivery. Previous market engagement indicated that no alternative suppliers were able to meet the required specification or provide a cost-effective equivalent within operational timescales. For these reasons, the direct award is considered justified due to technical reasons, absence of competition, and the requirement for bespoke specialist products essential for service continuity.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064acc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028588-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

CPV Codes

34900000 - Miscellaneous transport equipment and spare parts

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£436,583 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£436,583 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Mar 20265 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Feb 20266 months ago
Contract Period
23 Mar 2026 - 22 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Cardiff and Vale University health board
Additional Buyers

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF14 4HH
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Heath
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MEDDX Solutions limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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