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KMMH Portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging System (2026)

Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

18 Jun 2026 at 17:21

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

30 May 2026 at 00:03

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Award

29 May 2026 at 23:23

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has awarded a contract for the provision of a portable low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The procurement was directed through a direct award process, deemed compliant under the Procurement Act 2023 due to the lack of competition for technical reasons, thus nominating Xiel Limited as the sole supplier. The contract, valued at approximately £344,663.64, includes the MRI system alongside associated peripherals, training, support, and maintenance services over a five-year period. The MRI system is expected to be pivotal in accelerating neuroimaging research primarily for dementia diagnosis but will also support other mental health research across the UKJ4 and UKJ41 regions. The significant dates include the award notice on 18th June 2026 and a contract period starting from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2031.

This tender presents significant opportunities for fostering business growth in the neuroimaging domain. Companies specialising in medical imaging technologies, particularly those with expertise in portable and low-field MRI systems, stand to benefit. Such businesses can collaborate with healthcare providers in advancing AI algorithms for neurological assessments. The focus on reducing dependence on high-field MRI systems presents niche opportunities for SMEs like Xiel Limited, which is a leading player in providing innovative imaging solutions. Enterprises with capabilities in providing additional support services such as software updates and maintenance can also leverage this project, potentially opening avenues for long-term partnerships with public health sectors.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

KMMH Portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging System (2026)

Notice Description

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust (the "Trust") is awarding a contract for the provision of a portable low-field (0.064 Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The contract will also include the provision of associated peripherals, together with training, support and maintenance services, for a period of five (5) years. The MRI system will be utilised to support the acceleration and development of local, place-based neuroimaging research, particularly in relation to the assessment and diagnosis of dementia, where timely access to imaging is frequently a rate-limiting factor. The system will also be made available to support research into other mental health conditions, including initiatives aligned to the Kent Complex Psychosis Service and wider investigation into non-dementia mental illness affecting both older and younger adults. A key objective of this programme is to facilitate the development of new artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the assessment of structural brain changes associated with dementia and cognitive decline. This is intended to reduce reliance on high-field MRI imaging within specialist centres and to avoid the associated restrictive clinical environments. In order to support these research objectives, the Trust requires a system that meets the following essential criteria: * Approval for commercial sale in the United Kingdom (UKCA marking); * A compact and highly portable design, capable of passing through standard doorways and elevators and allowing ease of manoeuvrability within clinical environments; * A magnetic configuration that enables researchers to work safely in close proximity to participants during imaging procedures; * Operation via standard electrical power outlets; * Low power consumption to minimise ongoing operational costs; * An open design to reduce participant anxiety and improve patient experience; and * Operation via a portable, user-friendly wireless device (for example, a tablet). The Trust considers that the direct award of this contract is justified pursuant to paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023. Accordingly, the Trust published a Transparency Notice (ref 2026/S 000-051128) on 29 May 2026 to inform the market of its intention to enter into the contract by way of direct award. The dates included in this Award Notice are provided for indicative purposes only. The actual contract commencement date shall be determined by the date on which the Goods are delivered.

Procurement Information

The Trust considers that the direct award of this contract is justified pursuant to paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023., whereby the following conditions are met: (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. Following the completion of appropriate market research, the Trust is satisfied that the required goods and associated services can only be supplied by a single economic operator, and that no reasonable alternatives or substitutes exist. This conclusion is informed by the Trust's core requirements for a portable, low-field MRI system that is optimally suited to support the acceleration and development of local, place-based neuroimaging clinical research. The essential characteristics of the required system include: * Approval for commercial sale in the United Kingdom (UKCA marking); * A compact and highly portable design, capable of passing through standard doorways and elevators and allowing ease of manoeuvrability within clinical environments; * A magnetic configuration that enables researchers to work safely in close proximity to participants during imaging procedures; * Operation via standard electrical power outlets; * Low power consumption to minimise ongoing operational costs; * An open design to reduce participant anxiety and improve patient experience; and * Operation via a portable, user-friendly wireless device (for example, a tablet). The Trust considers that Xiel Ltd is the exclusive UK distributor of the Hyperfine Portable MR Imaging System and is therefore the only economic operator capable of supplying an existing solution that meets the above requirements. Accordingly, Xiel Ltd is deemed to be the sole supplier able to support the Trust's objectives for delivering local, place-based neuroimaging clinical research within the required timescales.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a9b0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057774-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33113000 - Magnetic resonance imaging equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£287,219 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Jun 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Jun 20263 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2031 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
Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership 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
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME16 9PH
Postcode Area
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Barming Heath & Teston
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Xiel Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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