Tender

ESNEFT2745 - Pathology Labels, Forms and Packaging

EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

22 May 2026 at 09:01

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

08 Apr 2026 at 13:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking interested suppliers for its tender titled "ESNEFT2745 - Pathology Labels, Forms and Packaging", focusing on the supply of non-clinical consumables for pathology services. The procurement process currently is at the tender stage with a competitive flexible procedure. Businesses are invited to submit their expressions of interest by 5th June 2026 at noon. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically pathology services, and encompasses various pathology disciplines, community settings, and primary care across the United Kingdom, particularly in Colchester. This initiative is part of an ongoing plan to award contracts by 1st September 2026, with a contract start date set for 15th October 2026, projecting a period cover until 14th October 2031, with possible extensions up to 2033.

This procurement process presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in medical supplies, particularly those producing labels, forms, and packaging tailored for pathology settings. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged to participate, as the process includes a selective assessment that evaluates the supplier's capability in a competitive two-stage procedure. With a gross contract value estimated at £6 million, participating businesses stand to gain substantial growth through the provision of high-quality consumables to a reputable public health institution. By engaging with this opportunity, companies can expand their market presence, particularly if they can demonstrate operational resilience and adherence to ethical supply chain practices.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

ESNEFT2745 - Pathology Labels, Forms and Packaging

Notice Description

Supply of Non-clinical consumables for use within various pathology disciplines, community settings and across primary care inclusive of forms, labels and packaging

Planning Information

The Contracting Authority is undertaking preliminary market engagement (PME) to inform the development of a future procurement for the supply of Bespoke Pathology Consumables. This is to include Labels, Forms, Specimen Bags and miscellaneous packaging. The Authority will be conducting the further competition under the Procurement Act 2023. The purpose of this engagement is to understand current market capability, capacity, and commercial models that may enhance the delivery of high quality and efficient Pathology consumables. Through this early engagement, the Authority seeks insight into the intended Procurement route and stages under the competitive flexible procedure, value for money, operational resilience and ethical supply chain sourcing. Feedback from Suppliers will help shape the procurement strategy, refine the service specification, and ensure that the future opportunity is realistic, deliverable, and aligned with market best practice. Participation in this engagement is voluntary and will not form part of any future tender evaluation process. Information shared at this stage will be used solely to support the Authority’s planning and will not advantage or disadvantage any supplier in any subsequent competition. The engagement will run from the date of this notice 8 April 2026 until 22 April 2026 as the deadline for any feedback. To participate in this engagement Suppliers must submit an expression of interest to simone.dato@esneft.nhs.uk no later than noon on 13 April 2026. Upon expressing an interest to participate in this engagement, Suppliers must confirm if they have the capability to provide such products and provide some indicative information to substantiate this (i.e: customer reference sites). The Authority will then share an overview of the opportunity in more detail with capable providers and offer a dedicated 1:1 meeting virtually via MS Teams should the supplier wish to discuss the requirements further. The offer of a 1:1 slot is at the discretion of the Authority. The Authority will outline specific areas they seek feedback on from capable Suppliers during this engagement. This is not an exhaustive list and the Authority welcome all feedback the Suppliers feel relevant for the Authority to consider. All capable Suppliers will have the opportunity to submit questions during the engagement up until the feedback deadline for this stage. The Authority may try to answer these either during this period should it impact the Suppliers response or immediately following the event if it doesn’t. The Authority may also request additional feedback as appropriate following this engagement. If operational pressures require them to do so, the Authority may change the date of the engagement and subsequent 1:1's. Any amendments will be notified ahead of the event. Details of any future procurement will be published separately in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067e13
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047553-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
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
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
22 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
29 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Oct 2026 - 14 Oct 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
EAST SUFFOLK AND NORTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COLCHESTER
Postcode
CO4 5JL
Post Town
Colchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH34 Essex Haven Gateway
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Colchester
Electoral Ward
Mile End
Westminster Constituency
Colchester

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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