---
title: "Anatomical Pathology Automation"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-051b20"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051b20"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051b20.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051b20.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MID SOUTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
published: "2025-12-03"
---

# Anatomical Pathology Automation

Buyer: MID SOUTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-051b20

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## Summary

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has completed a public procurement process for an "Anatomical Pathology Automation" framework aimed at advancing laboratory automation equipment across five distinct lots: tissue embedding, block facing, slide preparation, storage systems, and block transportation. Conducted under an open procedure method, the procurement addresses the needs of health and social care entities as defined in the Procurement Act 2023. Managed by HealthTrust Europe LLP as the procuring entity, the framework has seen contracts awarded to Axlab Ltd and Technopath Distribution Ltd for supply and implementation. The process concluded with the contract signed on 6th November 2025, under a framework that allows for a maximum duration of eight years, with periods commencing every two years and reopening six months before expiry.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in diagnostic systems, automation equipment, and pathology supplies. Businesses capable of delivering high-quality automation solutions and equipment are well-positioned to benefit. Furthermore, the framework is designed to be accommodating to SMEs and VCSEs, making it an attractive prospect for diverse enterprises within the health sector. This structured approach facilitates not only growth through participation but also chances for increased collaboration with UK health authorities and government bodies.

## Notice

This Framework provides access to laboratory automation equipment for anatomical pathology across five lots: tissue embedding, block facing, slide preparation, storage systems, and block transportation.

### Lot Information

Automated Tissue Embedding Systems

Provision of a system that is able to automate the process of embedding tissue specimens in paraffin to create tissue blocks and all associated services.

Tissue Block Facing Systems

Provision of a system that is able to provide automated facing of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks and all associated services.

Automated Slide Preparation Systems

Provision of a system that is able to automate the process of sectioning paraffin blocks and mounting tissue sections onto glass slides and all associated services.

Storage and Archiving Systems (for both blocks and slides)

Provision of a system that is able to provide organised storage and retrieval of histological specimens, including both FFPE tissue blocks and microscope slides and all associated services.

Block Transportation Systems

Provision of a system that is able to automate the transport of FFPE blocks between laboratory workstations including embedding, microtomy, and storage areas and all associated services.

Aggregated Lot

Aggregation of Lot option (1-5) is designed to accommodate suppliers who can offer more than one lot service provision, combining them under a single agreement. This approach ensures that the Participating Authorities have access to a variety of services either from a single supplier or a cooperative of suppliers, enhancing the convenience and adapting a solution to their needs.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079230-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large, SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Future notice date | 6 Jun 2025 |
| Award date | 18 Sep 2025 |
| Contract period | 6 Nov 2025 - 5 Nov 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £33,333,333 |
| Lots value | £33,333,333 |
| Awards value | £40,000,000 |
| Contracts value | £40,000,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MID SOUTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST |
| Additional buyers | HEALTHTRUST EUROPE LLP |
| Locality | BASILDON |
| Post town | Southend-on-Sea |
| Postcode | SS16 5NL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands |
| ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham |
| Local authority | Birmingham |
| Electoral ward | Edgbaston |
| Westminster constituency | Birmingham Edgbaston |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | AXLAB; TECHNOPATH DISTRIBUTION |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products
- 48 - Software package and information systems

### Codes

- 33124100 - Diagnostic devices
- 33124110 - Diagnostic systems
- 33910000 - Pathology dissection instruments and supplies
- 48921000 - Automation system

## Release History

- 3 Dec 2025 at 10:43 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079230-2025
- 14 Oct 2025 at 11:02 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065126-2025
- 6 Aug 2025 at 10:43 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046453-2025
- 21 May 2025 at 13:42 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024023-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079230-2025
  3rd December 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065126-2025
  14th October 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046453-2025
  6th August 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024023-2025
  21st May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8667
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8666

## Notice URLs

- https://axlab.co.uk/
- https://healthtrusteurope.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml
- https://www.healthtrusteurope.com
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.mse.nhs.uk/
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/classificationsandstandards/economicstatisticsclassifications/introductiontoeconomicstatisticsclassifications
- https://www.techno-path.com/

## 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-051b20. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051b20.json.