Award

Core Molecular Testing

LOTHIAN HEALTH BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

13 Apr 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for "Core Molecular Testing" was conducted by Lothian Health Board, commonly known as NHS Lothian, located in Edinburgh, UK (region UKM75). This procurement falls under the 'Health' industry category and has progressed through to the Award stage as of 13th April 2026. This contract was awarded without the prior publication of a competition call, under a limited procurement method, due to the critical timelines involved with the National Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) programme. The 3-year contract, valued at £3,000,000, was signed on 9th April 2026 with Abbott Laboratories Ltd, covering core molecular testing services essential for continuing healthcare operations at NHS Lothian.

This tender represents a direct award within the Clinical Managed Services Lot 1 framework. The opportunity offers significant business growth potential for enterprises skilled in health services, specialised laboratory testing, and managed service solutions. Companies with large operational scales, like Abbott Laboratories Ltd, that can guarantee service efficacy and maintenance under time-sensitive conditions are particularly well-suited for such engagements. This process underscores the importance of minimal operational disruption and high standards of patient care during the transition and implementation of critical health information systems in large health boards.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Core Molecular Testing

Notice Description

Provision of the Managed Laboratory Service for NHS Lothian for its core molecular testing requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Lothian Health Board (more commonly known as NHS Lothian) requires a managed service solution for its core molecular testing capacity for a contract period of 3 years. The Supplier will assume responsibility for the guaranteed availability of the managed service solution through the provision and management including maintenance.

Procurement Information

This contract is being awarded under the Direct Award procedure under Lot 1 - Clinical Managed Services of the SBS Framework for Clinical Managed Services including Managed Maintenance Services SBS10251. National Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) replacement program is currently being rolled out across the Boards in Scotland and NHS Lothian have been recently given a go live date which coincides with the expiry of the current Managed Service Contract (MSC) for molecular testing. LIMS implementation delay would have a knock-on effect on other Boards hence it is imperative NHS Lothian maintains the timeline. A potential change of supplier due to competition would introduce significant clinical risk at the operational and programme level in terms of potential dual interface builds/manual transcription, increased potential for misidentification or data integrity errors as well as diversion of essential specialist resource away from the LIMS programme at a time when stability is critical. Most importantly, a change of supplier would put a disproportionate risk to patient care. To reduce clinical risk during unavoidable LIMS implementation a direct award of core molecular testing MSC is recommended under Procurement Act 2023 Schedule 5 Paragraph 7: "(b) the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance."

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000826921
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553751
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency 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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LOTHIAN HEALTH BOARD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH3 9DN
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ABBOTT LABORATORIES

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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