Award

Requirement For Producer Cell Line For GMP Viral Vector Packaging

NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

13 Apr 2026 at 11:23

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process was conducted by NHS Blood and Transplant, a central government public authority based in Bristol, United Kingdom. The tender, titled "Requirement For Producer Cell Line For GMP Viral Vector Packaging," falls under the health services industry category. This process has reached the award stage, with significant activities occurring on 13th April 2026, including the publication of the award notice. The contract has been awarded through a direct award method, specifically to ensure continuity with the existing GMP AAV platform, and it specifies a contract period from 20th April 2026 to 31st March 2033.

This tender presents business opportunities, especially for firms skilled in the development and supply of biotechnological solutions within the healthcare sector. Companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, which has secured the contract, demonstrate the suitability of SMEs in this high-tech and specialised field. Businesses with expertise in GMP compliance and viral vector manufacturing are well-positioned to compete for similar contracts, advancing their market presence and contributing to high-stakes clinical biotechnology projects. The direct procurement approach indicates that unique intellectual property and specialised capabilities are vital, making this sector attractive for firms with such proprietary offerings.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Requirement For Producer Cell Line For GMP Viral Vector Packaging

Notice Description

The Clinical Biotechnology Centre (CBC) has recently validated a GMP-compliant recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) manufacturing platform process to support UK academic clients in transitioning their gene therapy programmes from research into human clinical trials. The work took over four years of intensive effort, including initial process development, iterative process optimisation and scale-up to ensure suitability for GMP technology transfer. Critical starting and raw materials were selected and approved for use on the platform, as well as determining the optimal process parameters to ensure consistent performance. The validated platform process is now installed within the CBC's GMP clean room viral vector manufacturing suites. As rAAV manufacturing is inherently complex, technically demanding, and highly sensitive to changes in process conditions, any modification to the validated platform carries considerable risk to the quality of the products being manufactured. Even minor changes could have a significant impact to disrupt platform performance that would require months of expensive re-optimisation and re-validation activities, which would present unacceptable operational and business risks.

Procurement Information

CBC's validated GMP AAV platform being built and validated around VPC2.0 and continuity required to avoid disproportionate re-validation, delay, cost and operational risk. Only Thermo Fisher is able to grant the required rights and support for these specific cell lines, and no reasonable alternative exists without disproportionate consequences.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0680f1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033233-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£180,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
19 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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