This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

01 Sep 2026 at 01:00

Planning

23 Jul 2026 at 01:00

Summary of the contracting process

Lothian Health Board is procuring an integrated microbiology laboratory managed service for diagnostic and laboratory services at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The requirement is a next-generation automated laboratory solution covering service management, regulatory compliance, integrated IT and firmware, major analysers, reagents and consumables for most of the test repertoire. Core services include integrated MALDI-TOF and advanced digital automation. Optional conventional microbiology laboratory and antimicrobial susceptibility testing services may also be instructed. The appointed operator will provide, implement, calibrate, commission and maintain all equipment needed for the service, as well as all associated consumables. One operator is intended to take full responsibility for delivery, including any necessary subcontracting or collaborative arrangements. This is a laboratory and healthcare managed-services opportunity.

The buyer invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission. The tender deadline was 30 September 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The planned award and bid opening date was 11 December 2026 at 12:00 UTC, and bids must remain valid for 300 days after submission. The estimated procurement value is £3,000,000. The contract period is 3,600 days, with an option for NHS Lothian to extend the term by up to 24 months. Optional laboratory testing services may be purchased during the contract. Evaluation is based on technical quality at 60% and price at 40%. Participation requires relevant professional or trade-register enrolment where applicable. Bidders must provide staff names and qualifications, and variants are not allowed.

This opportunity suits established diagnostic laboratory, medical technology and managed-services providers able to combine laboratory operations with automation, equipment, consumables, IT and technical support. Suppliers should be capable of delivering and maintaining integrated MALDI-TOF, advanced automation and associated laboratory systems, while meeting regulatory and quality requirements. The buyer expects evidence from similar managed-services contracts delivered within the past three years, comparable in size, complexity and value, with detailed service descriptions, periods and references. Bidders need sufficient service engineers, technicians, quality-control resources, IT specialists and contract managers to maintain performance and key performance indicators. Strong supply-chain management is important, including third-party supplier coordination, stock and tracking systems, logistics and lead-time control. Providers must also be able to arrange any required subcontracting or collaboration.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Microbiology Services Managed Service Contract

Notice Description

NHS Lothian seeks next-generation automated laboratory solution delivered on a managed services basis for diagnostic and laboratory services at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The scope of the contract is an integrated Microbiology laboratory managed Services contract ("MSC") providing service management to meet all regulatory requirements, integrated IT firmware, major analysers, reagents and consumables to deliver the majority of the test repertoire.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Lothian seeks the provision of integrated Microbiology laboratory managed services to deliver the Core Services, including integrated MALDI ToF and advanced digital automation, for laboratory located at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The scope of the MSC will include the provision of optional Conventional Microbiology laboratory and antimicrobial susceptibility testing services. The procurement documents will detail the basis on which these optional services may be instructed by NHS Lothian. The successful economic operator will be responsible for the provision, implementation, calibration, commissioning and maintenance of all equipment necessary to deliver the MSC and for provision of all consumables used in connection therewith. It is intended an award will be made to one successful economic operator who will assume full responsibility for provision of all the managed services to NHS Lothian. The successful economic operator shall be solely responsible for effecting any sub-contracting or collaborative arrangements required with other suppliers to allow the successful economic operator to meet this commitment.. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Options: The procurement documents shall detail the optional laboratory testing services which NHS Lothian shall be entitled to instruct over the term of the MSC and detail the basis upon which these services may be purchased by NHS Lothian.

Renewal: Extension of the term of the contract up to a maximum of 24 months will be at the discretion of NHS Lothian.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000837044
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP563494
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Sep 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
30 Sep 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
11 Jan 20275 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
EH8 8BG
Postcode Area
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560732
    Microbiology Services Managed Service Contract - NHS Lothian seeks next-generation automated laboratory solution delivered on a managed services basis for diagnostic and laboratory services at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The scope of the contract is an integrated Microbiology laboratory managed Services contract ("MSC") providing service management to meet all regulatory requirements, integrated IT firmware, major analysers, reagents and consumables to deliver the majority of the test repertoire.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP563494
    Microbiology Services Managed Service Contract - NHS Lothian seeks next-generation automated laboratory solution delivered on a managed services basis for diagnostic and laboratory services at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The scope of the contract is an integrated Microbiology laboratory managed Services contract ("MSC") providing service management to meet all regulatory requirements, integrated IT firmware, major analysers, reagents and consumables to deliver the majority of the test repertoire.

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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