---
title: "Laboratory IT Systems"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04da9d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04da9d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04da9d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04da9d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK BIOBANK LTD"
published: "2025-11-05"
---

# Laboratory IT Systems

Buyer: UK BIOBANK LTD  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04da9d

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## Summary

UK Biobank Ltd, a prominent biomedical database and research institution, recently completed the procurement process for the design and implementation of new laboratory IT systems intended to support the next phase of their laboratory operations. This initiative is classified under the industry-specific software package category and is located in Greater Manchester, UK. The procurement process was conducted using a competitive procedure with negotiation method and reached the award stage with the contract signed on 4th November 2025. This project, estimated between £1 and £8 million, underscores a significant step for UK Biobank's transition to a new facility in Manchester by 2026, enhancing their data management capabilities to handle millions of samples efficiently.

This contract represents a considerable opportunity for businesses involved in IT services, consulting, software development, and systems consultancy services. The tender not only opens avenues for large-scale IT firms capable of delivering commercial-off-the-shelf software solutions but also those adept in custom software development tailored to scientific applications. With 13 bids submitted, including contributions from SMEs, the competition underscores the sector's vibrancy and potential for technological innovation in public health research. Businesses that specialize in providing technical consultancy, continuous software support, and innovative data management solutions would particularly thrive, contributing to a successful project completion and fostering long-term business growth alongside UK Biobank's expanding operations.

## Notice

By publishing this Contract Notice, UK Biobank ("UKB") is inviting requests to participate in its procurement for the design and implementation of new laboratory IT systems (the "Systems") to support the next phase of UKB's laboratory operations. UKB is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource containing genetic, lifestyle and health information from half a million UK participants. UKB's database, which includes blood samples, heart and brain scans and genetic data of the 500,000 volunteer participants, is globally accessible to approved researchers who are undertaking health-related research that is in the public interest. Funding to support purchase of the Systems has been budgeted by UKRI, and announced by both UKRI, and HM Treasury.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

UKB (www.ukbiobank.ac.uk) is a company limited by guarantee and a registered UK charity established by its two founding funders: the Medical Research Council and Wellcome. It is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource containing genetic, lifestyle and health information from half a million UK Participants. UKB is globally accessible to approved researchers undertaking health-related research that is in the public interest. UKB is responsible for the safe preservation and scientific exploitation of a collection of over 17 million samples (plasma, serum, buffy coat, extracted DNA, urine and saliva) that are accessible for approved use by academic and industry researchers. About 11 million samples are stored at -80degC across an automated storage system and other manual freezers at UKB's headquarters in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The remaining 6 million Samples are stored in vapour phase liquid nitrogen tanks at a backup site in the South of England. UKB is inviting requests to participate in its procurement for the design and implementation of the Systems, data migration from existing legacy systems, testing, commissioning, training, hypercare support and, if required by UKB, the provision of consultancy services in relation to the Systems on an ad hoc basis. UKB envisages that its requirements can be met and the Systems can be delivered through a combination of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software packages managed through configuration, and complemented by bespoke services. UKB requires a licence and standard support services for any COTS software. This will either be included as part of the contract with the successful tenderer or through an additional contract between UKB and the COTS vendor. The Systems will be required to support UKB laboratory operations when they move to a new purpose-built facility in the City of Manchester in the North West of England in 2026, UKB expects to take ownership for ongoing delivery of the Systems on completion of the phased implementation and will require the Service Provider to collaborate closely with the UKB technical team to ensure a successful implementation and hand-over. The current Laboratory Information Management System data stored in the legacy systems is approximately 110GB across over 160 tables. The Systems must be capable of managing 30 million samples in the near term and have the capacity to expand to accommodate 60 million within the next 15 years. Further detail in relation to the requirements for the Systems and support services are set out in the specification provided as part of the procurement documents. Additional information: UK Biobank intends to hold a virtual information session for shortlisted tenderers. The time and final details will be confirmed to shortlisted tenderers.

Renewal: This period covers the implementation period, an estimated 6 month hypercare period and the right for UKB to require consultancy services on an ad hoc basis for a 5 year period from the end of the hypercare period. UKB expects to require ongoing COTS licensing and software support from the end of the initial 5 year period by further 1 year periods with the COTS vendor, up to a maximum of 15 years.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071135-2025 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive procedure with negotiation |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Nov 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 5 Mar 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 4 Nov 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £8,000,000 |
| Lots value | £8,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £5,938,026 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK BIOBANK LTD |
| Locality | STOCKPORT |
| Post town | Stockport |
| Postcode | SK3 0SA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester |
| ITL 3 | TLD35 Greater Manchester South East |
| Local authority | Stockport |
| Electoral ward | Davenport & Cale Green |
| Westminster constituency | Stockport |
| Delivery location | TLD3 Greater Manchester |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | IBM UNITED KINGDOM |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 48100000 - Industry specific software package
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services
- 72230000 - Custom software development services

## Release History

- 5 Nov 2025 at 10:17 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071135-2025
- 31 Jan 2025 at 14:26 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003300-2025

## Notice URLs

- http://www.mytenders.co.uk
- http://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit
- https://www.mytenders.co.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=233323
- https://www.mytenders.co.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA25607

## 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-04da9d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04da9d.json.