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NHS Cervical Screening Programme - London HPV Primary Screening and Cytology Laboratory Services

NHS England (London Region)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

15 Oct 2026 at 17:40

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS England (London Region) is buying the London HPV primary screening and cytology laboratory service for the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. The work covers receiving and processing cervical samples from GP practices, sexual health services and NHS Trusts across London, with integrated sample collection and transport, automated results reporting, colposcopy referrals, maintenance of the London sample-taker database and support for Trust multidisciplinary teams. It also includes processing tests for London and national HPV self-sampling programmes, which aim to reach people who are overdue or under-screened. These are healthcare and medical laboratory services (CPV 85145000). The laboratory service is delivered across London and supports an integrated screening pathway involving primary care, sexual health services, NHS Trusts, colposcopy services, NHS England and integrated care boards.

NHS England selected Health Services Laboratories LLP (HSL) through Direct Award Process C under the Provider Selection Regime, assessing the existing provider’s current and likely future performance. The award decision was made on 12 October 2026, and the contract was signed that day. Its initial term runs from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2028, with two optional extensions of up to 12 months each, potentially taking it to 31 March 2030. The estimated lifetime value is £47,550,781 excluding VAT, including both extensions. Self-sampling payments are activity-based, with no minimum or guaranteed volumes. Evaluation weighted access, reducing health inequalities and choice at 30%; quality and innovation, value, and integration, collaboration and sustainability at 20% each; and social value at 10%. HSL scored 87.50%.

For suppliers preparing for a future requirement from NHS England (London Region), this award demonstrates demand for an established, integrated cervical screening laboratory pathway rather than a standalone testing service. A credible provider would need specialist laboratory capability for HPV primary screening and cytology, alongside reliable sample collection and transport across GP practices, sexual health clinics and NHS Trusts. The service also depends on accurate, secure automated reporting; effective colposcopy referral processes; robust sample-taker records and escalation arrangements; and specialist input to Trust multidisciplinary teams. Experience coordinating with primary care, sexual health services, NHS Trusts, colposcopy services, NHS England and integrated care boards would support delivery. The assessment also indicates the importance of improving screening access and reducing health inequalities, including delivering self-sampling services. Specialist workforce and infrastructure, continuity of service and the ability to manage activity-based test processing are commercially relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

NHS Cervical Screening Programme - London HPV Primary Screening and Cytology Laboratory Services

Notice Description

Intention to award a contract for the London HPV primary screening and cytology laboratory service to the existing provider, Health Services Laboratories LLP, under Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime. Estimated lifetime value PS47,550,781.

Lot Information

Lot 1

This notice relates to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme HPV primary screening and cytology laboratory service for London. The service receives and processes cervical screening samples from GP practices, sexual health services and NHS Trusts across London, and comprises HPV primary screening, cytology, integrated sample collection and transportation, automated reporting of results, colposcopy referral processes, maintenance of the London sample taker database (including the sample taker escalation process with NHS England and ICBs) and specialist support to Trust multidisciplinary teams. NHS England - London Region intends to award a contract to the existing provider, Health Services Laboratories LLP (HSL), following Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime, in accordance with Regulations 6(5) and 9 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The relevant authority is satisfied that the existing provider is satisfying the existing contract to a sufficient standard and is likely to satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard, and that the proposed contracting arrangements are not changing considerably from the existing contract (the considerable change threshold is not met). The existing contract expires on 30 November 2026. The new contract will commence on 1 December 2026 for an initial term ending 31 March 2028, with the option to extend for two further periods of up to 12 months each (to 31 March 2030 if both options are exercised), at the sole discretion of the relevant authority. The contract will be let under the NHS Standard Contract. The estimated lifetime value of the contract is PS47,550,781 (excluding VAT), inclusive of both optional extension periods. Activity-based service line - London HPV Self-Sampling Programme. The contract includes a service line for the processing of HPV self-sampling tests under the London HPV Self-Sampling Programme, a regional initiative aimed at improving cervical screening uptake among individuals who are at least six months overdue for routine screening. Self-sampling kits are offered through participating GP practices, with samples processed and results reported by the provider. This service line is commissioned on an activity basis and paid at an agreed local price per test processed. No minimum or guaranteed activity volumes are committed, as actual activity will depend on programme implementation, participation by GP practices and individual uptake. The programme is currently operating as a pilot, and its continuation and future scope will be subject to evaluation and commissioning decisions. Activity-based service line - National HPV Self-Sampling. The contract includes a service line for the processing of HPV self-sampling tests under the national self-sampling programme for under-screened individuals, which is nationally mandated. This service line is commissioned on an activity basis and is paid at a fixed local price per test processed. No minimum or guaranteed volumes are committed and no fixed service levels apply to this service line; activity will depend on uptake, which is driven by factors outside the control of the relevant authority and the provider, including national policy, invitation volumes and individual take-up. Any value attributed to this service line in this notice is indicative only, based on current planning assumptions, and actual payments may be higher or lower. Activity is expected to be highest in the first contract year and to reduce thereafter, with the same HPV test provided through a different sample route under national policy. Anticipated reduction in activity. Following the national introduction of extended screening intervals, overall screening activity is expected to reduce by approximately 28% in the optional extension years, as eligible individuals will be invited for screening less frequently. Variations in contract value arising from changes in activity volumes, or from nationally determined price changes, result from external factors beyond the control of the relevant authority and do not constitute a change to the contracting arrangements. Mixed procurement. The main subject matter of the contract is the provision of health care services under the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. Sample collection and transport, sample taker database management and associated reporting functions are integral to the safe delivery of the screening pathway and could not reasonably be supplied separately. The estimated lifetime value of the in-scope health care services exceeds that of the supporting elements, and the contract meets the requirements of Regulation 3 for a mixed procurement.

Options: Two optional extension periods of up to 12 months each, at the sole discretion of the relevant authority (1 April 2028 to 31 March 2029; 1 April 2029 to 31 March 2030).

Procurement Information

Justification: Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below. Reason: The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations. Explanation: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 28 October - midnight, eighth working day after standstill begins. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0788f3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/097676-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85145000 - Services provided by medical laboratories

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£47,550,781 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS England (London Region)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E14 4PU
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Canary Wharf
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Health Services Laboratories

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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