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Pathology Managed Equipment Service (MES) - South 4 Pathology Network

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

06 Oct 2026 at 10:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

09 Jun 2026 at 17:25

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is planning a managed pathology laboratory equipment service for the South 4 Pathology Network, on behalf of Buckinghamshire Healthcare, Milton Keynes University Hospital and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts. The service would provide, install, commission and manage equipment throughout its lifecycle, including maintenance, repairs, upgrades, replacement planning, staff training and performance support. Testing is expected to focus on blood sciences and related hospital laboratory work: biochemistry, haematology, coagulation, serology and immunology, as well as automation and pre-analytics such as specimen tracking and automatic receipt of samples. Equipment may be purchased or leased. The service may also cover consumables and reagents, stock and logistics, links with laboratory information systems, digital tools, data and reporting, technical support and service improvement. Delivery would span multiple NHS sites in Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Swindon.

This is at the planning and preliminary market engagement stage: the trusts have not issued an invitation to tender or committed to proceeding with a procurement. They are gathering supplier input to develop the strategy, specification, commercial approach and future process. A supplier questionnaire was expected by 12 noon on 12 October 2026; briefing, workshop and meeting arrangements were to be communicated separately. The buyer expected a future notice on 1 December 2026. The anticipated procurement uses a Competitive Flexible Procedure. The planned service value is £150 million excluding VAT (£180 million including VAT). The anticipated contract period is 1 June 2029 to 31 May 2036, with possible extension to 31 May 2043. The final structure may be a single-supplier or multi-lot contract; evaluation and participation requirements remain part of future development.

The prospective requirement suits suppliers able to deliver and support complex laboratory equipment across a network of NHS sites, particularly in blood sciences, diagnostic analysers and laboratory automation. Relevant capability spans equipment installation and commissioning, lifecycle and asset management, maintenance and repair, upgrades and replacement planning, alongside staff training and reliable technical support. Suppliers offering equipment through purchase or leasing models, and those able to manage associated reagents, consumables, inventory and logistics, may also be relevant. The buyer is exploring interoperability with current and future laboratory information systems, digital enablement, data and reporting, and service improvement, so suppliers able to integrate technology with laboratory operations should consider engaging in market development. The service is intended to support standardisation, resilience, efficiency, faster turnaround, patient-centred diagnostics, sustainability and social value. Small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises are identified as suitable.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Pathology Managed Equipment Service (MES) - South 4 Pathology Network

Notice Description

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is undertaking this procurement in its own name and on behalf of the other participating trusts within the South 4 Pathology Network, namely Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Authority intends to procure a Pathology Managed Equipment Service (MES) to support high-quality, resilient and standardised pathology services across participating sites. The service is expected to cover the provision, installation, commissioning and lifecycle management of pathology laboratory equipment, together with maintenance, servicing, repair, upgrades, replacement planning, training and performance support. The scope of testing is expected to focus primarily on blood sciences and related hospital laboratory services, including biochemistry, haematology, coagulation, serology, immunology, automation and pre-pre-analytics such as specimen tracking and auto receipting. The service model is expected to include equipment supply through capital and/or leased models, asset management, consumables and reagents where required, inventory and logistics management, interoperability with existing and future LIMS, digital enablement, automation, data and reporting capability, technical support, training and continuous service improvement. The procurement project is aligned to NHS pathology transformation priorities. It is also expected to contribute to sustainability and social value objectives. The service will be delivered across multiple NHS sites within the South 4 Pathology Network geography, with flexibility for future changes to network configuration. The Authority anticipates awarding either a single supplier or multi-lot contract, with the final structure and contract term to reflect equipment lifecycle and long-term service delivery requirements. The information provided is indicative only and does not constitute a call for competition or commitment to procure. This Pre Market Engagement notice is issued in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023.

Planning Information

The participating trusts within the South 4 Pathology Network are continuing the preliminary market engagement originally commenced under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 through Prior Information Notice 2022/S 000-012490. The Network subsequently published UK1 Pipeline Notice 2026/S 000-054473 to reflect that any future procurement will be conducted under the Procurement Act 2023. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is acting as the contracting authority for this preliminary market engagement on behalf of the participating trusts within the South 4 Pathology Network: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. References in this notice to the Authority are to Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acting in that capacity. The Authority is considering the procurement of a Pathology Managed Equipment Service (MES). The indicative scope includes the provision, installation, commissioning and lifecycle management of pathology laboratory equipment, together with maintenance, servicing, repairs, upgrades, replacement planning, training and performance support. The testing scope is expected to focus primarily on blood sciences and associated hospital laboratory services, including biochemistry, haematology, coagulation, serology, immunology, automation and pre-analytics, such as specimen tracking and automatic receipting. The service model may include equipment supplied through capital and/or lease arrangements, asset management, consumables and reagents where required, inventory and logistics management, interoperability with existing and future laboratory information management systems, digital enablement, automation, data and reporting, technical support, training and continuous service improvement. The proposed service is intended to support network standardisation, service resilience, improved efficiency and turnaround times, high-quality patient-centred diagnostic services, sustainability and social value. It is expected to be delivered across multiple NHS sites within the South 4 Pathology Network, with flexibility to accommodate future changes to the network configuration. As part of the preliminary market engagement, the Authority is considering whether a single-supplier, multi-supplier and/or lot-based contracting model would be appropriate. Any future procurement structure and contract term will be determined following consideration of the engagement outcomes, equipment lifecycles and long-term service delivery requirements. Interested suppliers should register on the Atamis e-tendering portal and locate the opportunity using Atamis reference C288438. All engagement documents, instructions, clarifications and responses will be managed through Atamis. Suppliers should ensure that their organisation and contact details are current on the portal. The preliminary market engagement may include: • publication of a Request for Information (RFI); • supplier engagement events, held virtually and/or in person; • technical workshops; • written feedback submissions; and • one-to-one supplier meetings. A supplier questionnaire will be available through Atamis following registration, with responses required by 12.00 pm on 12 October 2026. Details and dates for any supplier briefing sessions, technical workshops or one-to-one meetings will be communicated through Atamis. Participation in any preliminary market engagement activity is voluntary. The Authority will conduct the engagement in a transparent and proportionate manner and will take appropriate steps to ensure that participation does not distort competition or provide any supplier with an unfair advantage in a subsequent procurement. Final arrangements, including joining instructions and any changes to the timetable, will be communicated through Atamis. The South 4 Pathology Network intends to undertake this market engagement to: • inform the development of the procurement strategy; • understand supplier capability and capacity; • explore available technologies and service delivery models; • inform specification development; • consider commercial models and risk allocation; • identify opportunities for innovation and service transformation; and • support the design of a future procurement using the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This notice is issued in accordance with section 16 of the Procurement Act 2023 to inform the market of planned preliminary market engagement in advance of a potential future procurement. Information obtained through the engagement may be used to inform the Authority’s procurement strategy, specification, commercial approach, procurement structure and timetable. This notice does not constitute a call for competition, an invitation to tender or a commitment to commence a procurement process or award a contract. Participation is voluntary and will not confer an advantage in any subsequent procurement; equally, non-participation will not place a supplier at a disadvantage. To support transparency and fair competition, information arising from the engagement that is relevant to any subsequent procurement will, subject to applicable legal, confidentiality and commercial sensitivity requirements, be made available to suppliers participating in that procurement. The Authority will maintain appropriate records of the preliminary market engagement in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and its associated requirements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b135
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/094146-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

50 - Repair and maintenance services

51 - Installation services (except software)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

33100000 - Medical equipments

33124100 - Diagnostic devices

33124110 - Diagnostic systems

33124130 - Diagnostic supplies

33696300 - Chemical reagents

33696500 - Laboratory reagents

38434000 - Analysers

38434550 - Blood-cell counters

38434560 - Chemistry analyser

38434570 - Haematology analysers

38434580 - Immunoassay analysers

50421000 - Repair and maintenance services of medical equipment

51430000 - Installation services of laboratory equipment

71900000 - Laboratory services

72267100 - Maintenance of information technology software

72268000 - Software supply services

72511000 - Network management software services

79418000 - Procurement consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Oct 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2029 - 31 May 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Additional Buyers

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Milton Keynes University Hospital 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
OXFORD
Postcode
OX3 9DU
Postcode Area
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLJ12 Milton Keynes, TLJ13 Buckinghamshire, TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC, TLK15 Wiltshire
Local Authority
Oxford
Electoral Ward
Headington Hill & Northway
Westminster Constituency
Oxford East

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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