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Microbiology Services Managed Service Contract

Lothian Health Board

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

09 Oct 2026 at 09:44

Tender Notice
Tender

08 Oct 2026 at 15:04

Tender Notice
Award

02 Sep 2026 at 10:03

Award Notice
Tender

01 Sep 2026 at 10:29

Tender Notice
Planning

23 Jul 2026 at 08:35

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Lothian sought an integrated microbiology laboratory managed service for the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The requirement covered an automated diagnostic laboratory solution, including service management to meet regulatory requirements, integrated IT and firmware, major analysers, reagents and consumables, and delivery of most of the laboratory test repertoire. Core services included MALDI-TOF and advanced digital automation. The service provider was to supply, install, calibrate, commission and maintain the equipment and provide the consumables. Conventional microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were optional services that NHS Lothian could instruct under the contract. The intended arrangement placed responsibility for the complete managed service with one lead provider, which could establish subcontracting or collaborative arrangements as needed.

The procurement reached an unsuccessful outcome: the recorded award for the sole lot is marked unsuccessful and discontinued, so no supplier was selected. NHS Lothian used an open procedure. The stated estimated procurement value was £3 million. The planned contract period was 3,600 days, with a discretionary extension of up to 24 months. The evaluation weighting was 80% technical quality and 20% price. Supplier selection required comparable service examples from the preceding three years, minimum average annual turnover and turnover in the relevant business area, financial information and specified insurance cover. The bid deadline was amended from 23 October to 11 December 2026; the award period and bid opening were scheduled for 11 December 2026. Bids were to be in English, and variants were not allowed.

For a future requirement of this kind, a credible provider would need to deliver a complete, regulated microbiology laboratory service rather than equipment alone. Relevant strengths include implementing and maintaining major analysers and automated workflows, integrating laboratory IT and firmware, supplying reagents and consumables, and supporting the core diagnostic repertoire, including MALDI-TOF and digital automation. Providers should be able to demonstrate recent managed laboratory service contracts comparable in size, value and complexity, supported by experienced service engineers, technical support, IT and contract management, and quality-control capability. Effective supply-chain management, stock tracking, logistics and dependable supplier coordination would also matter, particularly where optional conventional microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are included. The requirements favour a well-resourced lead contractor able to take end-to-end responsibility and organise specialist partners where necessary.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Microbiology Services Managed Service Contract

Notice Description

NHS Lothian seeks next-generation automated laboratory solution delivered on a managed services basis for diagnostic and laboratory services at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The scope of the contract is an integrated Microbiology laboratory managed Services contract ("MSC") providing service management to meet all regulatory requirements, integrated IT firmware, major analysers, reagents and consumables to deliver the majority of the test repertoire.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Lothian seeks the provision of integrated Microbiology laboratory managed services to deliver the Core Services, including integrated MALDI ToF and advanced digital automation, for laboratory located at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The scope of the MSC will include the provision of optional Conventional Microbiology laboratory and antimicrobial susceptibility testing services. The procurement documents will detail the basis on which these optional services may be instructed by NHS Lothian. The successful economic operator will be responsible for the provision, implementation, calibration, commissioning and maintenance of all equipment necessary to deliver the MSC and for provision of all consumables used in connection therewith. It is intended an award will be made to one successful economic operator who will assume full responsibility for provision of all the managed services to NHS Lothian. The successful economic operator shall be solely responsible for effecting any sub-contracting or collaborative arrangements required with other suppliers to allow the successful economic operator to meet this commitment. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Options: The procurement documents shall detail the optional laboratory testing services which NHS Lothian shall be entitled to instruct over the term of the MSC and detail the basis upon which these services may be purchased by NHS Lothian.

Renewal: Extension of the term of the contract up to a maximum of 24 months will be at the discretion of NHS Lothian.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d162
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095482-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
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

CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Oct 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
11 Jan 20273 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Lothian Health Board
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH8 8BG
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Further Information

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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