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NW3213 - RFID scanning for Scientific Services

NORTHUMBRIAN WATER LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

07 Aug 2026 at 15:45

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northumbrian Water Limited is exploring RFID-based laboratory sample tracking services for its scientific services operations. The initial scope is a proof of concept at one Northumbrian Water laboratory, assessing whether RFID can replace parts of the current barcode process. The requirement is expected to include RFID tags, RFID-enabled label printing, fixed and handheld scanners, supporting software, installation and configuration, and integration with the Thermo SampleManager Laboratory Information Management System. Suppliers would support test scenarios covering sample receipt, transfer, tracking and traceability, then provide recommendations for wider implementation. A future solution may support multiple laboratory sites, chain-of-custody tracking, storage monitoring, inventory management and asset tracking. The procurement is for information technology services.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is currently a preliminary market engagement exercise, not an invitation to tender. Northumbrian Water expects to use the engagement to refine requirements before a subsequent competitive procurement. The buyer’s planned engagement milestone is 7 September 2026, after which it may seek clarification or hold follow-up discussions. The anticipated proof-of-concept contract period is 1 January to 31 March 2027. The estimated value is £50,000 excluding VAT, or £60,000 including VAT, and the procurement is below the applicable threshold. The planned work is organised as one lot. Suppliers are expected to provide expressions of interest and supporting information such as service overviews, brochures, technical specifications and case studies.

The engagement will suit technology suppliers with proven RFID solutions for laboratory or other high-volume, traceability-critical environments. Relevant capability includes RFID tag production and printing, fixed-point and handheld scanning, software delivery, systems integration and proof-of-concept implementation. Suppliers should be able to integrate reliably with Thermo SampleManager or comparable laboratory information systems, support sample receipt and processing workflows, and demonstrate secure, available and high-performing data handling. The future solution is expected to scan at least 500 bottles simultaneously at fixed scanning points, operate in cold, damp and chemically exposed areas, and scale across multiple sites. Experience improving traceability, reducing manual entry and unreadable labels, and supporting chain-of-custody or inventory applications will be valuable.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

NW3213 - RFID scanning for Scientific Services

Notice Description

Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL) is seeking market engagement with suppliers capable of delivering an RFID-based sample tracking solution for use within its laboratory operations. The initial requirement is for a Proof of Concept (PoC) at one NWL laboratory site to assess the feasibility of replacing elements of the current barcode-based sample tracking process with RFID technology. The PoC will evaluate operational benefits, integration requirements and overall suitability before any decision is made regarding wider deployment across NWL's laboratory network. The anticipated scope includes: * Assessment of infrastructure and technology requirements to support RFID-based sample tracking. * Provision of RFID tags, RFID-enabled printing capability, fixed and handheld scanning devices, and supporting software. * Installation and configuration of PoC equipment at one laboratory. * Definition of integration requirements with NWL's Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Thermo SampleManager. * Support for test scenarios covering sample receipt, transfer, tracking and traceability processes. * Production of recommendations for future implementation should the PoC demonstrate a viable business case. NWL currently envisages a future solution being capable of: * Printing RFID labels across multiple operational sites. * Integrating with Thermo SampleManager to maintain sample information and status updates. * Simultaneously scanning large volumes of sample bottles (target capability of at least 500 bottles at fixed scanning points). * Supporting handheld scanning throughout laboratory facilities and sampling operations. * Providing robust operation within laboratory environments, including cold storage areas and conditions involving moisture and chemical exposure. * Supporting future expansion opportunities, including chain-of-custody tracking, storage monitoring, inventory management and asset tracking. The PoC will be assessed against a range of success criteria, including: * Improved sample traceability and reduced risk of lost or misplaced samples. * Reduction in unreadable labels and manual data entry. * Improved efficiency of sample receipt and processing activities. * Reliable integration with existing systems. * High levels of data security, availability and performance. * Scalability to support future deployment across multiple laboratory sites. Suppliers with relevant experience and capability are invited to submit expressions of interest together with product literature, service overviews, case studies, technical specifications and any other supporting collateral that may assist NWL in understanding available market solutions. Submissions and clarification questions should be sent to danielle.ruddick@nwl.co.uk. NWL may contact suppliers to request further information, clarification or follow-up discussions where appropriate. Following completion of this preliminary market engagement exercise, NWL intends to undertake a competitive procurement process informed by the findings of the engagement and associated PoC activities.

Planning Information

Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL) is undertaking this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise to better understand the range of RFID-based laboratory sample tracking solutions available in the market, including hardware, software, integration capabilities, implementation approaches and associated support services. Suppliers that believe they have relevant capabilities are invited to submit an expression of interest and provide supporting information, including service overviews, product brochures, technical specifications, case studies and any other relevant collateral for consideration. Responses and any clarification questions should be submitted via email to danielle.ruddick@nwl.co.uk. NWL will review the information received and may contact suppliers to seek clarification, obtain further details, or arrange follow-up discussions where appropriate. The purpose of this engagement is to inform NWL's understanding of available solutions, delivery models and market capability. Following completion of this engagement and consideration of the information received, NWL intends to undertake a competitive procurement process, the scope and requirements of which may be refined based on the outcome of this market engagement exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06df61
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075411-2026
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
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72222300 - Information technology services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
7 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
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
NORTHUMBRIAN WATER LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PITY ME
Postcode
DH1 5FJ
Postcode Area
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC2 Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear, TLH14 Suffolk CC, TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate & Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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