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Histology Modernisation

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

20 Jul 2026 at 13:47

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

16 Apr 2026 at 14:42

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

16 Apr 2026 at 14:35

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust procured capital equipment for a histology modernisation programme, supported by long-term maintenance and consumables agreements. The requirement covers medical equipment and associated laboratory services for the Trust’s histology operations. The equipment is intended to provide an automated solution, including separate modules and integration with the Vantage system. Supporting services include planned preventative maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair, engineer visits, customer helpdesk support, and certified staff training. The buyer is University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, serving its hospital operations in Dorset. This is primarily a specialist healthcare laboratory equipment and support requirement, relevant to manufacturers, authorised distributors and service providers with capability in histology automation and clinical laboratory systems.

The procurement is complete and was awarded to Axlab. It used a direct award on the basis that a sole supplier offered the unique equipment required for the histology modernisation. The award was made on 16 April 2026, following a standstill period ending on 27 April 2026. The award and signed contract are valued at £1,009,532.50 excluding VAT, or £1,211,439 gross. The award contract period runs from 29 April 2026 to 31 August 2036; the contract was signed on 16 July 2026 and records a contract period from that date to 31 August 2036. Evaluation was based on the specified single-supplier technical rationale rather than a competitive tender. The completed requirement covers one procurement package.

This award shows demand for an integrated histology automation solution in an NHS hospital setting, with substantial emphasis on dependable operation and long-term technical support. A credible future competitor would need equipment that can deliver the required volume and types of work, interface and integrate with the Vantage system, and be supported by suitably qualified and experienced engineers. The service model requires continuous system availability, weekday helpdesk coverage, out-of-hours message handling, engineer attendance within eight working hours for general faults, and resolution within 48 working hours of attendance. Suppliers would also need to deliver planned preventative maintenance within 14 days of its due date and provide certified training for relevant staff. Manufacturers, specialist laboratory equipment distributors and NHS-capable service organisations are best placed.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Histology Modernisation

Notice Description

Purchase of Capital Equipment for Histology Modernisation, with supporting 10yr maintenance and consumable agreements

Procurement Information

Sole supplier due to unique market offering of equipment required for Purchase of Capital Equipment for Histology Modernisation, with supporting 10yr maintenance and consumable agreements

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068452
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068242-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

33100000 - Medical equipments

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,009,532 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,009,532 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Apr 20264 months ago
Contract Period
16 Jul 2026 - 31 Aug 2036 Over 5 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
University Hospitals Dorset 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
POOLE
Postcode
BH15 2JB
Postcode Area
Bournemouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK63 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Electoral Ward
Poole Town
Westminster Constituency
Poole

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Axlab

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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