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Dynamic Market for the Provision of Portable Ultra-Low-Field (ULF) MRI Systems

COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

28 Oct 2026 at 14:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

28 Oct 2026 at 13:54

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust intends to establish a Dynamic Market for ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF MRI) systems and related goods. The scope may cover scanners, imaging and reconstruction software, operator workstations, radiofrequency coils, accessories, peripherals, spare parts, replacement components, consumables and other ancillary equipment. It may also include software licences, upgrades and goods needed to install, operate and maintain the systems. Systems may be fixed, mobile, transportable or portable, for use in healthcare, diagnostic, community, research and point-of-care settings. Delivery is intended across the United Kingdom, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the Trust has set out its intention to create a Dynamic Market, but has not issued an invitation to tender. It is seeking preliminary market engagement to develop its requirements and prepare tender documents; participation will not guarantee an invitation to tender or admission to a future market. The Trust’s current expectation is for the contract period to run from 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2029, with a possible maximum extension to 31 January 2035. The estimated value is £10 million excluding VAT (£12 million including VAT). The requirement is presented as one lot, with the procurement marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Suppliers are invited to express interest in the market engagement by 11 November 2026.

This is relevant to suppliers of low-field MRI equipment and the supporting technology, components and consumables, including manufacturers, specialist distributors and providers able to supply integrated systems. The broad stated scope could suit businesses able to provide scanners alongside software, workstations, coils, accessories, spares or maintenance-related goods, as well as suppliers focused on portable or mobile deployment. Systems may need to serve healthcare and diagnostic services as well as community, research and point-of-care settings, so suppliers with products adaptable to varied operational environments may be well placed. The Trust has indicated that small and medium-sized businesses are suitable participants. The planned market engagement is an opportunity for suppliers to help shape the eventual requirements and tender documentation; no particular accreditation, technical standard or minimum capacity is stated at this stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Dynamic Market for the Provision of Portable Ultra-Low-Field (ULF) MRI Systems

Notice Description

This Dynamic Market will be for the supply of ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF MRI) systems and associated goods. The Dynamic Market may include, but is not limited to, ULF MRI scanners, imaging and reconstruction software, operator workstations, radiofrequency coils, accessories, peripherals, spare parts, replacement components, consumables and ancillary equipment. Systems may be fixed, mobile, transportable or portable and suitable for deployment across healthcare, diagnostic, community, research and point-of-care settings. The Dynamic Market may also include software licences, system upgrades and other goods required for the installation, operation and maintenance of ULF MRI systems.

Planning Information

The purpose of this engagement notice is to invite suppliers to participate in preliminary market engagement with a view to developing the Authority's requirements and preparing tender documents. Suppliers participating in this market consultation are not guaranteed to receive either an Invitation to Tender (if Invitations to Tender are issued), or a place on any Dynamic Market which may be awarded following an Invitation to Tender. Please fill out the form at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/Y5MB7FZU8k to express interest in taking part in this market engagement process. We will then be in contact to arrange the next steps.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-079278
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/102111-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
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

33113000 - Magnetic resonance imaging equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2029 2-3 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
COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION 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
CHESTER
Postcode
CH2 1UL
Postcode Area
Chester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Upton
Westminster Constituency
Chester North and Neston

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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