---
title: "Microbiology Testing Managed Service"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-045275"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-045275"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-045275.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-045275.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE COMMON SERVICES AGENCY (MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS NHS NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND) (\"NSS\")"
published: "2025-04-02"
---

# Microbiology Testing Managed Service

Buyer: THE COMMON SERVICES AGENCY (MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS NHS NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND) ("NSS")  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-045275

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## Summary

The Common Services Agency, known as NHS National Services Scotland (NSS), is seeking bids for providing a managed microbiology testing service. This procurement falls under the medical equipment maintenance and repair services category. The scope includes all mandatory and discretionary microbiology testing, managed service provision of test kits, instrumentation, and data management software, with tests conducted at the Jack Copland Centre in Edinburgh. The current tender stage is active, and bids are expected to be submitted electronically by 20th May 2024. The procurement process follows an open procedure, and the contract is anticipated to be awarded by 27th May 2024.

This tender represents an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in medical equipment and diagnostics services. Companies with expertise in microbiology testing systems and efficient data management solutions could benefit significantly from this contract, valued at several million pounds. The managed service approach is ideal for companies capable of providing comprehensive package solutions. With the potential inclusion of additional testing protocols and increased plasma collection activities, businesses could see expanded roles in quality control and additional testing services, fostering long-term growth and partnership with NSS.

## Notice

SNBTS requires a fully integrated microbiology testing system including all the mandatory and discretionary microbiology testing within a managed service. This includes the test kits, instrumentation and data management software to deliver a final result to the SNBTS information management system(s).

### Lot Information

Lot 1

SNBTS collects approximately 160,000 blood and tissue donations each year, these are tested at the Jack Copland Centre in Edinburgh within the Manufacturing Department of SNBTS. The Manufacturing Department performs a wide range of testing services; these include the large-scale serological screening of blood and tissue donations for microbiological markers such as HBsAg, HCV, HIV and Syphilis. Discretionary testing of HTLV, HBc and CMV. There is also a requirement for smaller scale screening for malaria antibodies on selected donations. SNBTS also requires a solution to allow archiving of samples. After testing, the whole of the remaining PPT tube is archived. Hard copy of the result data is also retained for thirty (30) years. The electronic copy of the raw test data is maintained in archive databases and retained indefinitely. SNBTS is currently using "Item Tracker" (archiving database). The Supplier MUST provide a solution for creating appropriate plate maps for integration into "Item Tracker" in such a way that the sample is later retrievable. During the course of the contract SNBTS may look to introduce additional testing/protocols into the contract. This would be in relation to the introduction of any new mandatory/discretionary markers. This would be fully discussed with the successful Supplier and SNBTS would expect the Supplier to provide options for inclusion in the contract. Future Potential Impacts SNBTS in line with other Blood Authorities will be starting to collect plasma for medicines (PFM) since the option to fractionate UK plasma has opened again. PFM is expected to be 5 year phased implementation with minimal impact in the early years of the contract. (Up to 10% increase). SNBTS will update and work with the successful supplier or bidders where information is available throughout the process where known. Beyond 5 years there is likely to be a larger increase that will increase the contract. Additional QC testing may be required as an impact of implementation of plasma for medicines. Dependant on the volume of testing SNBTS may wish to cease outsourcing of Total protein testing and source a suitable platform for use within SNBTS. Figures for this have yet to be defined however SNBTS would like to enter discussions to see if operationally it is viable to bring this in house. It is expected that this would be able to be accommodated with a modification of any contract put in place due to the estimated value of this testing.

Options: The Authority shall be entitled, at its option, to continue this Agreement beyond the Initial Term for three (3) twelve (12) Contract Month periods subject to giving not less than nine (9) Contract Months' notice to the Contractor.

Renewal: The Authority shall be entitled, at its option, to continue this Agreement beyond the Initial Term for three (3) twelve (12) Contract Month periods subject to giving not less than nine (9) Contract Months' notice to the Contractor.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012485-2025 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Apr 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 20 May 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 12 Mar 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £3,700,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE COMMON SERVICES AGENCY (MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS NHS NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND) ("NSS") |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH12 9EB |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | Drum Brae/Gyle |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh South West |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50421000 - Repair and maintenance services of medical equipment

## Release History

- 2 Apr 2025 at 11:19 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012485-2025
- 16 Apr 2024 at 07:53 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012261-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.nss.nhs.scot/browse/procurement-and-logistics
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000758734
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA11883
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-045275. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-045275.json.