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SFT Purchase of respiratory testing kits for 26-27

SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

19 Aug 2026 at 11:13

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

19 Aug 2026 at 10:59

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is procuring 6,500 multiplex testing kits for respiratory viruses, classified as laboratory reagents (CPV 33696500). The kits are consumables for Cepheid GeneXpert machines used in hospital laboratory testing. They are to be supplied on site to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Yeovil District Hospital in Yeovil. The requirement is split between 4,000 kits for Musgrove Park Hospital and 2,500 for Yeovil District Hospital, as set out in the purchase orders. The procurement supports ongoing respiratory virus testing and standardisation with the Trust’s laboratory testing provider. Simply Serve Ltd is also identified in the process as a Somerset NHS Foundation Trust purchasing organisation connected with the Yeovil requirement.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded on 19 August 2026 to Cepheid UK Limited. It used a direct award procedure. The Trust’s stated rationale is that the kits are required for existing Cepheid GeneXpert machines, have no alternative compatible products, and attract best value through a single bulk-purchase discount. The awarded value is £253,500 excluding VAT and £304,200 including VAT. The award covers one lot. The contract period runs from 31 August 2026 to 1 September 2026. A standstill period ends on 28 August 2026, and contract signature was scheduled for 31 August 2026. The award is marked pending, while the tender itself is marked complete.

This requirement is most relevant to suppliers of respiratory virus molecular testing consumables that are compatible with Cepheid GeneXpert machines. The buyer’s decision shows that technical compatibility with specialist equipment, continuity of laboratory operations and product standardisation are central commercial considerations. Suppliers seeking comparable NHS work would need demonstrable access to the required multiplex respiratory testing kits and the ability to supply hospital sites directly. Experience supporting clinical laboratory testing, dependable fulfilment across multiple hospitals and capacity for a substantial bulk order would strengthen credibility. The procurement also indicates that suppliers able to offer single-source purchasing arrangements and volume discounts can align with this buyer’s approach. The selected supplier is an SME specialising in these products.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SFT Purchase of respiratory testing kits for 26-27

Notice Description

Purchase of 6500 multiplex testing kits for respiratory viruses. To be supplied on-site to Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital, split 4000 and 2500 as specified within our purchase orders.

Procurement Information

Consumable purchase for Cepheid GeneXpert machines, which were previously selected as part of a competitive procedure as the most suitable equipment for our Hospital as well as providing standardisation with our laboratory testing provider. Consumables are required for the ongoing use of the purchased equipment and there are no alternative products that can be used with the specialist devices. Best value is obtained through bulk purchase with a single bulk purchase discount provided by the supplier.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e745
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078867-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33696500 - Laboratory reagents

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£253,500 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 1 Sep 2026 30 days
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
SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Additional Buyers

Simply Serve Ltd

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
TAUNTON
Postcode
TA1 5DA
Postcode Area
Taunton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK62 Somerset
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Somerset
Electoral Ward
Bishop's Hull & Taunton West
Westminster Constituency
Taunton and Wellington

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CEPHEID UK LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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