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Haematology Analyser for the Welsh Blood Service

Velindre University NHS Trust

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

25 Aug 2026 at 16:06

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Velindre University NHS Trust, through the Welsh Blood Service, is planning to procure an advanced automated haematology analyser for use in Cardiff and the wider Welsh blood service. The equipment will support blood donor assessment, blood component quality monitoring, transfusion medicine research and innovation. Required functions include automated full blood count analysis, five-part white cell differential testing and integrated reticulocyte analysis on the primary analyser. The system should also support donor health assessment methods, including FlowScore calculations and reticulated haemoglobin analysis for early detection of iron deficiency. Blood component testing, blood bank functions and quality control activity should be delivered without separate instrumentation. This is a goods procurement for haematology analysers, classified under CPV 38434570.

The procurement is at the planning stage: the buyer has stated its intention to procure but has not issued an invitation to tender. One lot is planned. The estimated value is £379,845.85 excluding VAT, or £455,815.02 including VAT. The proposed contract period is from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032. The buyer is undertaking preliminary market engagement and expects interested suppliers to provide details of suitable analysers by 8 September 2026. Further engagement may follow those responses. The procurement is above the applicable threshold. Suppliers should treat the dates and requirements as the buyer’s current plans rather than as a bid deadline or a settled tender specification.

The requirement is likely to suit manufacturers, specialist laboratory equipment suppliers and service partners with proven haematology analyser platforms for blood establishments, blood centres or comparable clinical settings. Strong candidates will be able to demonstrate accurate fluorescence platelet counting at low concentrations, reticulated platelet measurement, low-level white cell enumeration and integrated blood component testing. Evidence of successful implementation in transfusion or blood service environments will be relevant, alongside dedicated blood bank functionality and support for routine component quality assurance. The buyer is looking for robust External Quality Assessment or EQAS arrangements with meaningful peer benchmarking and sufficient users of the same platform and methodology. Suppliers should also be prepared to demonstrate medical device regulatory compliance, mature quality management, resilient maintenance and service arrangements, and continuity of critical testing.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Haematology Analyser for the Welsh Blood Service

Notice Description

The Welsh Blood Service (WBS) is seeking to engage with the market regarding the future procurement of an advanced automated haematology analysis system to support blood donor assessment, blood component quality monitoring, research and innovation activities. The proposed solution will be required to provide automated full blood count (FBC) analysis, 5-part white cell differential capability and integrated reticulocyte analysis on the primary analyser. Of particular interest are systems capable of generating the data required to support emerging donor health assessment methodologies, including FlowScore calculation and reticulated haemoglobin analysis for the early detection of iron deficiency in blood donors. The future requirement is expected to include advanced analytical capabilities that support the unique operational needs of a blood establishment. These include fluorescence platelet counting with high accuracy at low platelet concentrations, reticulated platelet measurement, low-level white cell enumeration suitable for blood component quality monitoring, and the ability to perform blood component testing without the need for separate instrumentation. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate how their platforms support routine blood component quality control programmes through dedicated blood bank functionality and provide evidence of successful implementation within blood services, blood centres or comparable blood establishments. WBS is particularly interested in solutions that are supported by robust External Quality Assessment (EQA/EQAS) programmes and can demonstrate meaningful peer group benchmarking through sufficient participant numbers using the same analyser platform and methodology. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate compliance with applicable medical device regulations, support quality and regulatory requirements through a mature quality management system and provide resilient service and maintenance arrangements that minimise downtime and ensure continuity of critical testing services. This notice is intended to inform the market of WBS's future requirements and to encourage engagement from suppliers capable of supporting the evolving needs of blood donor care, blood component quality assurance and transfusion medicine research. Interested parties are invited to email nwssp.procurementcataloguepathology@wales.nhs.uk with details of their suitable analyser by Tuesday 8th August 2026. We may engage further with interested parties once responses have been received.

Planning Information

Interested parties are invited to email nwssp.procurementcataloguepathology@wales.nhs.uk with details of their suitable analyser by Tuesday 8th September 2026. We may engage further with interested parties once responses have been received.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ebd3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080964-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38434570 - Haematology analysers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£379,845 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Aug 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
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
Velindre University NHS 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
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF15 7QZ
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend
Delivery Location
TLL15 Central Valleys
Local Authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Electoral Ward
Taff's Well
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff North

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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