This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

17 Jun 2026 at 12:55

Tender

18 May 2026 at 14:44

Summary of the contracting process

Ulster University is currently in the tender stage of a procurement process for a Pharmacogenomic (PGx) Testing Service. This initiative involves procuring laboratory services for genomic testing of 4,854 participants across Northern Ireland and Ireland, including Counties Londonderry, Tyrone, Donegal, and Sligo. The project is part of the iMPROVE study aimed at integrating pharmacogenomic testing into patient-centred GP practices. The process follows an open procurement method, and the deadline for tender submissions is set for 24th June 2026, with the contract planned to commence on 3rd August 2026, running initially until August 2028. The procurement is governed by Northern Irish devolved regulations with a focus on providing services that span miscellaneous health services, medical laboratory, and analysis services.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for growth within the healthcare services sector, particularly for laboratories capable of delivering comprehensive genomic testing services. Laboratories with a strong track record in innovative healthcare solutions, specialised in pharmacogenomics, and experience in handling large-scale genomic data will find this tender particularly aligned with their expertise. Small to medium-sized enterprises with capabilities in transporting biological samples, ensuring analytical accuracy, and integrating healthcare data into existing medical pathways will also be well-positioned to compete. The open procedure provides an inclusive opportunity for businesses across the region to participate in a project aimed at enhancing personalised medicine and patient outcomes.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) Testing Service

Notice Description

The project wishes to appoint a suitable laboratory or multiple labs to supply an end-to-end genomic testing service which provides genomic variant data for n=4,854 participants in Northern Ireland (NI) and Ireland. Specifically, the areas where the project will recruit participants from of relevance to this tender includes counties Londonderry, Tyrone in Northern Ireland and counties Donegal and Sligo in Ireland. The iMPROVE project will operate on the basis of a research implementation study which aims to integrate pharmacogenomic testing into a patient-centred medicines optimisation care pathway in GP practices across the project regions. The new integrated care pathway will be led by GP practice pharmacists with a focus on medicines optimisation to improve outcomes, removing inappropriate and ineffective treatments and adverse drug event risk reduction. Medications for pain, depression, anxiety and cardiovascular disease are the most prescribed drugs which also display considerable variation in efficacy, in part due to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes which can alter efficient drug metabolism. A laboratory service is required to transport participant samples from GP sites, test for a finite list of SNPs which alter the rate of metabolism of a constrained list of prescribed medications including opioids, SSRI's, PPI's, statins and Clopidgrel.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069b2d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057137-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

85140000 - Miscellaneous health services

85145000 - Services provided by medical laboratories

85148000 - Medical analysis services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
24 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Aug 2026 - 2 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ULSTER UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COLERAINE
Postcode
BT52 1SA
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN0C Causeway Coast and Glens
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Causeway Coast and Glens
Electoral Ward
University
Westminster Constituency
East Londonderry

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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-069b2d-2026-06-17T13:55:15+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-17T13:55:15+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-069b2d",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-RC000726",
            "name": "ulster university",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "RC000726"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Finance Office",
                "locality": "Coleraine",
                "postalCode": "BT521SA",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKN0C"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement_enquiries@ulster.ac.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "GB-NIR",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_DEVOLVED_REGULATIONS",
                        "description": "Northern Irish devolved regulations apply"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-COH-RC000726",
        "name": "ulster university"
    },
    "planning": {
        "noEngagementNoticeRationale": "N/A"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "6532577",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Pharmacogenomic (PGx) Testing Service",
        "description": "The project wishes to appoint a suitable laboratory or multiple labs to supply an end-to-end genomic testing service which provides genomic variant data for n=4,854 participants in Northern Ireland (NI) and Ireland. Specifically, the areas where the project will recruit participants from of relevance to this tender includes counties Londonderry, Tyrone in Northern Ireland and counties Donegal and Sligo in Ireland. The iMPROVE project will operate on the basis of a research implementation study which aims to integrate pharmacogenomic testing into a patient-centred medicines optimisation care pathway in GP practices across the project regions. The new integrated care pathway will be led by GP practice pharmacists with a focus on medicines optimisation to improve outcomes, removing inappropriate and ineffective treatments and adverse drug event risk reduction. Medications for pain, depression, anxiety and cardiovascular disease are the most prescribed drugs which also display considerable variation in efficacy, in part due to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes which can alter efficient drug metabolism. A laboratory service is required to transport participant samples from GP sites, test for a finite list of SNPs which alter the rate of metabolism of a constrained list of prescribed medications including opioids, SSRI's, PPI's, statins and Clopidgrel.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85140000",
                        "description": "Miscellaneous health services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85145000",
                        "description": "Services provided by medical laboratories"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85148000",
                        "description": "Medical analysis services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "description": "Laboratory services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 720000,
            "amount": 600000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "www.etendersni.gov.uk",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-24T15:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-11T15:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-08-03T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 720000,
                    "amount": 600000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quallity",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 60,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 40,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quallity",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 60,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 40,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "This procurement is conducted in accordance with the requirements of Article 8 of the Financing Agreement establishing the PEACEPLUS Programme for 2021-2027, which requires the procurement procedures under Articles 181 and 182 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 to be applied"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "This procurement is conducted in accordance with the requirements of Article 8 of the Financing Agreement establishing the PEACEPLUS Programme for 2021-2027, which requires the procurement procedures under Articles 181 and 182 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 to be applied"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-08-03T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2028-08-02T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2030-08-03T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Any periods up to 24 months"
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "045435-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045435-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-05-18T15:44:52+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "057137-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057137-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-06-17T13:55:15+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "riskDetails": "This procurement is conducted in accordance with the requirements of Article 8 of the Financing Agreement establishing the PEACEPLUS Programme for 2021-2027, which requires the procurement procedures under Articles 181 and 182 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 to be applied. Any potential applicant for review of any decisions taken in connection with the procurement should seek their own advice in connection with review procedures, but jurisdiction in connection with such a review is likely to be with the High Court of Justice, by way of a claim for judicial review or otherwise.",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "057137-2026",
                "description": "Closing Date changed to 24/06/26 due to portal closing it early on 12th June instead of 17th June."
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}