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Supply & Maintenance of Platelet Agitator and Incubator equipment

NHS Blood and Transplant

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Aug 2026 at 14:58

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Blood and Transplant is exploring the supply, installation and maintenance of platelet agitators and incubators used to store platelet components safely within its facilities across England. The potential requirement covers large floor-standing systems, smaller benchtop equipment and dual-function solutions that support both agitating and non-agitating storage. It may also include accessories, spare parts, consumables, commissioning, validation support, user training, technical support, preventative maintenance, calibration, inspection, breakdown and emergency repairs. The proposed work concerns medical equipment and associated support services for NHSBT’s blood centres, manufacturing facilities and hospital services departments. The buyer is considering arrangements covering new equipment and maintenance of its existing platelet storage estate, with the final scope to be shaped by supplier feedback.

This procurement is at the planning stage: NHSBT has stated an intention to procure, but this process is not an invitation to tender. It is undertaking preliminary market engagement, with virtual individual supplier sessions expected on 21 September 2026; registration is expected by 11 September 2026. NHSBT expects a subsequent notice around 1 February 2027. The potential procurement is estimated at £1.5 million excluding VAT, or £1.8 million including VAT. Three lots are being considered: supply and maintenance of standard incubators and agitators; dual-function platelet storage solutions; and maintenance of around 170 existing units. Lot 1 is currently planned for 1 December 2027 to 30 November 2032, with renewal potentially extending to 30 November 2034. The final lot structure and scope will follow market engagement.

This engagement is relevant to manufacturers, specialist medical-equipment suppliers, authorised service providers and firms able to deliver equipment support across multiple NHS facilities. Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate platelet storage technologies, suitable capacity ranges, continuous agitation and controlled storage between 20°C and 24°C. NHSBT is seeking information on connectivity with environmental monitoring systems, regulatory compliance, validation support, maintenance models, servicing, calibration, repairs, replacement parts, training and technical assistance. It is also interested in sustainability, energy efficiency, supply-chain resilience and lead times, as well as alternative technical or commercial approaches. The work may suit small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those with established healthcare equipment service networks, relevant quality systems and experience supporting regulated clinical operations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply & Maintenance of Platelet Agitator and Incubator equipment

Notice Description

Background NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for collecting, processing, testing and supplying blood components to hospitals across England. As part of this role, NHSBT operates a network of blood centres, manufacturing facilities and hospitals services departments that require the safe and compliant storage of platelet components. Platelets must be stored under controlled conditions and maintained under continuous agitation to ensure product quality, safety and compliance with applicable regulatory and quality requirements (JPAC/BSQR). NHSBT currently utilises Helmer platelet agitators and incubators across its sites to support these activities. Helmer models in operation include: PC4200, PC1200, PC900, PC2200 NHSBT is undertaking a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise to gain a better understanding of the current market, available technologies, product developments and service models relating to platelet agitators and incubators. The information gathered will help inform the development of the technical specification, procurement strategy and future requirements. Requirements NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is seeking to engage with the market in advance of a potential future procurement for the supply, installation and maintenance of platelet agitator and incubator equipment used for the storage of platelet components within NHSBT facilities. The engagement process seeks to better understand the following (but is not limited to): * Current products and technologies available within the market. * Equipment platelet storage capacity * Configuration options (connectivity to environmental monitoring systems). * Regulatory compliance * Validation support. * Maintenance and servicing arrangements. * Sustainability and energy efficiency considerations * Supply chain resilience and lead times. NHSBT anticipates that the future requirement may include a range of platelet storage solutions across multiple locations and operational settings. These include: * Large floor-standing platelet incubator and agitator systems. * Smaller benchtop platelet agitators and incubators. * Solutions capable of accommodating both agitating and non-agitating platelet storage within the same unit or integrated system. NHSBT requires platelet storage solutions capable of maintaining platelet components in accordance with applicable regulatory and quality requirements, including controlled storage at 20degC to 24degC and continuous agitation where required. NHSBT is seeking feedback from suppliers regarding the availability of such solutions, associated configurations, capacity ranges and any alternative approaches that may offer operational, technical or commercial benefits. Proposed Lot Structure NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is considering a procurement comprising three separate lots. The final lot structure and scope will be informed by the outcome of this Preliminary Market Engagement exercise. Lot 1: Supply and Maintenance of Platelet Incubators and Agitators This lot will include the supply, installation, commissioning, validation support, maintenance and repair of: * Large floor-standing platelet incubator and agitator systems. * Smaller benchtop platelet agitators and incubators. * Associated accessories, spare parts and consumables where applicable. * User training and technical support services. Lot 2: Supply and Maintenance of Dual-Function Platelet Storage Solutions NHSBT are considering a separate lot for this requirement due to limited understanding of the availability of this technology in the market. This lot will include the supply, installation, commissioning, validation support, maintenance and repair of solutions capable of accommodating both agitating and non-agitating platelet storage within the same unit or integrated system. NHSBT is interested in understanding the range of solutions available within the market, including capacity options, operational benefits, monitoring capabilities and maintenance requirements. Lot 3: Maintenance of Existing Platelet Incubators and Agitators This lot will include maintenance and support services for around 170 platelet incubators and agitators currently operated by NHSBT, including: * Preventative maintenance * Calibration to two points as a minimum * Equipment servicing and inspection. * Breakdown and emergency repair services. * Supply of replacement parts. * Technical support

Planning Information

Sessions are for information gathering only. Suppliers should ensure any shared information is non-confidential or clearly marked if confidential. NHSBT will not reimburse suppliers for preparation or travel. Further instructions and session agendas will be provided following registration. Engagement sessions will be held virtually via MS Teams. Estimated engagement period: Monday 21st September 2026. Individual sessions will be booked with interested suppliers.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06edbe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081832-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33100000 - Medical equipments

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Aug 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Feb 20276 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2027 - 30 Nov 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
NHS Blood and Transplant
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 7QH
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Filton
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

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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