Planning

Sample Tube DeCappers

NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Apr 2026 at 09:38

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is currently in the planning stage to procure automated sample tube decappers for their Testing laboratories located in Filton, Bristol, and Manchester. This procurement falls under the medical equipment category and aims to support their extensive testing services involving blood grouping and microbiological screening of donations. The procurement process has commenced with a preliminary market engagement notice published on 29th April 2026, and suppliers are required to provide initial information on their offerings by 15th May 2026. The overall contract is valued at up to £600,000 GBP, with the devices needing compliance with requisite CE and UKCA marking regulations. Future notices for the formal tender phase are anticipated by 1st July 2026.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities for companies specialising in medical equipment, particularly those with expertise in automated laboratory devices. The NHSBT’s requirement for high-capacity decapping machines capable of handling thousands of sample tubes per day indicates significant demand, potentially benefiting businesses that focus on efficiency in lab operations. Companies providing additional functionalities such as sample sorting and re-racking are likely to be well-positioned to compete. Key prospects for inclusion involve ensuring devices meet regulatory standards for In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, promising a competitive edge for compliant suppliers looking to expand their footprint in the healthcare sector.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Sample Tube DeCappers

Notice Description

Within NHSBT, the Testing function in the Blood Supply Directorate performs a wide range of testing services, these include but are not limited to the large-scale blood grouping and microbiological screening of blood and tissue donations. The Authority has two main laboratories in England, in which approximately 1.9 million blood donations are tested each year. The laboratories are located in Filton (Bristol) and Manchester. Manchester is also the site of a third laboratory, which tests all donations in England for HAV/B19. Each donation collected includes a minimum of 4 x 6mL sample tubes, taken into K2 EDTA tubes which have colour coded caps for identification purposes. The Authority requires automated decapping equipment at each of the Authority's three Testing laboratories. Decappers must have sufficient capacity to process the daily workload of each laboratory within the required timeframe and with a minimum decapping success rate of 95%. In Filton and Manchester main laboratories, tubes are tested in 3 parallel workstreams, and therefore it is necessary that 70% of all tubes would be decapped within 3 hours. Approximate workload of each site: * Filton Testing: approximately 10,500 sample tubes per day * Manchester Testing: approximately 4,500 sample tubes per day * Manchester HAV/B19: approximately 5000 sample tubes per day. Testing occurs in two waves and does not impact the desired criteria Additional functionality such as sample sorting, recapping and re-racking of tubes would be considered. The Supplier must confirm the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (as defined by the regulations indicated below) are fit for their intended purposes and are:* CE marked in compliance with either European Commission Directive 98/79/EC on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IVDMD) or Regulation (EU) 2017/746, and/or;* Devices must be UKCA marked in compliance with UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002, as amended, from 1st July 2024. To register your interest in this opportunity, please contact jo.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk by Friday 15th May 2026.

Planning Information

As part of engagement, it is proposed the supplier will complete an initial supplier questionnaire and provide information as to what they are able to offer NHSBT, providing details in context the NHSBT Testing labs. There may also be an opportunity for NHSBT to receive a loan decapper to evaluate.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068daa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039018-2026
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

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33100000 - Medical equipments

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Apr 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 20262 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
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-068daa-2026-04-29T10:38:06+01:00",
    "date": "2026-04-29T10:38:06+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-068daa",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PDBY-6395-VWBP",
            "name": "NHS Blood and Transplant",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PDBY-6395-VWBP"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "500 North Bristol Park",
                "locality": "Bristol",
                "postalCode": "BS34 7QH",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK12"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "jo.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk",
                "telephone": "07385029322"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PDBY-6395-VWBP",
        "name": "NHS Blood and Transplant"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "As part of engagement, it is proposed the supplier will complete an initial supplier questionnaire and provide information as to what they are able to offer NHSBT, providing details in context the NHSBT Testing labs. There may also be an opportunity for NHSBT to receive a loan decapper to evaluate.",
                "dueDate": "2026-05-15T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "039018-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039018-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-29T10:38:06+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "C442477",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Sample Tube DeCappers",
        "description": "Within NHSBT, the Testing function in the Blood Supply Directorate performs a wide range of testing services, these include but are not limited to the large-scale blood grouping and microbiological screening of blood and tissue donations. The Authority has two main laboratories in England, in which approximately 1.9 million blood donations are tested each year. The laboratories are located in Filton (Bristol) and Manchester. Manchester is also the site of a third laboratory, which tests all donations in England for HAV/B19. Each donation collected includes a minimum of 4 x 6mL sample tubes, taken into K2 EDTA tubes which have colour coded caps for identification purposes. The Authority requires automated decapping equipment at each of the Authority's three Testing laboratories. Decappers must have sufficient capacity to process the daily workload of each laboratory within the required timeframe and with a minimum decapping success rate of 95%. In Filton and Manchester main laboratories, tubes are tested in 3 parallel workstreams, and therefore it is necessary that 70% of all tubes would be decapped within 3 hours. Approximate workload of each site: * Filton Testing: approximately 10,500 sample tubes per day * Manchester Testing: approximately 4,500 sample tubes per day * Manchester HAV/B19: approximately 5000 sample tubes per day. Testing occurs in two waves and does not impact the desired criteria Additional functionality such as sample sorting, recapping and re-racking of tubes would be considered. The Supplier must confirm the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (as defined by the regulations indicated below) are fit for their intended purposes and are:* CE marked in compliance with either European Commission Directive 98/79/EC on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IVDMD) or Regulation (EU) 2017/746, and/or;* Devices must be UKCA marked in compliance with UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002, as amended, from 1st July 2024. To register your interest in this opportunity, please contact jo.murphy@nhsbt.nhs.uk by Friday 15th May 2026.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "33100000",
                        "description": "Medical equipments"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 600000,
            "amount": 500000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2027-01-01T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2031-12-31T23:59:59Z",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2033-12-31T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-07-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}