--- title: "Provision of Analysers and Consumables to Test Total Protein Assays from Apheresis Donors and Donations" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-064996" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064996" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064996.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064996.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT" published: "2026-02-06" --- # Provision of Analysers and Consumables to Test Total Protein Assays from Apheresis Donors and Donations Buyer: NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-064996 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064996) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064996.json) ## Summary NHS Blood and Transplant, a central government public authority based in Bristol, UK, is in the planning stage of a procurement process for analysers and consumables to test total protein assays from apheresis donors and donations. The preliminary market engagement notice aims to gauge potential interest from suppliers before the formal tendering process. This engagement includes a deadline of 28th February 2026 for interested parties to express their interest, with engagement activities such as questionnaires and possible video calls scheduled for March 2026. The project spans the procurement of goods with a potential start date set for January 2027, subject to further planning outcomes. The estimated value of the contract is £1,512,000, and it is anticipated to conclude in December 2031, with the option for extensions. This procurement opportunity offers significant growth potential for suppliers in the medical equipment and healthcare technology sectors, particularly those specialising in analysers and diagnostic equipment. Firms with capabilities in providing comprehensive solutions, including the delivery, installation, maintenance, and provision of consumables for such analysers, would be ideally positioned to compete. With NHS Blood and Transplant considering shifting their testing requirements in-house, responsive and innovative companies could benefit from a long-term engagement, consolidating their presence in the UK healthcare market. Interested businesses are encouraged to participate in the preliminary market engagement to align their offerings with NHSBT's needs and potentially influence the final procurement specification. ## Notice NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are responsible for collecting plasma and platelet donations in England. There is a requirement for NHSBT to undertake total protein testing on these donations and the donors. As part of the preliminary market engagement exercise, NHSBT are seeking to engage with potential suppliers of analysers that can run total protein assays. 1. General Requirements - Background: For Donor Safety: All apheresis donors require a total protein test on their first donation, and this is repeated at every 8th donation and at least annually. Total protein must not be less than 60g/L. For Quality Monitoring: Total protein is tested in: a. 1% of recovered plasma donations (from whole blood donations); b. 1% of apheresis plasma donations; and c. 1% of concurrent apheresis plasma donations (obtained during platelet donation). Total protein must not be less than 50g/L. NHSBT currently outsource this testing to a 3rd Party. NHSBT are considering bringing this testing in house from 2027. Please note a final decision has not been made on this and the information obtained from this preliminary market engagement will help to inform the decision. 2. Requirement: NHSBT potentially has a requirement for the purchase/loan of up to three analysers that can run special protein assays. Whilst total protein testing is the primary requirement, NHSBT may also be looking to test for immunoglobulins (IgG) and albumin as part of the requirement. As a general overview, the contracted supplier would be responsible for: a. Providing analysers that can test for total protein, and ideally, also IgG and Albumin. This includes delivery of the machines to one/all of the three manufacturing sites - located at Filton, Colindale and Manchester; b. Providing key consumables including assay-specific reagents; c. Potentially providing the software (including training) to analyse the results - note: this requirement is still under consideration; and d. Providing a maintenance and repair service to cover all planned maintenance and any repairs. 3. Contract Duration: The contract duration is still under consideration. The market engagement will enquire about machine lifespan which will further inform the contract length. The current assumption is 5 years plus 2 x 1-year options. The estimated contract value is based on 7 years. ### Planning Information If you are interested in taking part in the market engagement, please contact: james.marshall2@nhsbt.nhs.uk by no later than 12:00 hrs (GMT) on 28/02/2026. Market engagement is likely to take place via a questionnaire and potentially video calls in March 2026. There is no guarantee that a formal procurement process will be launched as a result of this preliminary market engagement exercise, nor that any contract(s) will be placed. No remuneration or compensation etc will be paid to organisations who take part in this preliminary market engagement exercise. Suppliers should take part in this process only on the basis that they fully understand and accept this position. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010748-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 6 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 30 Jun 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2031 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1,260,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT | | Locality | BRISTOL | | Post town | Bristol | | Postcode | BS34 7QH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England | | ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire | | Local authority | South Gloucestershire | | Electoral ward | Filton | | Westminster constituency | Filton and Bradley Stoke | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38434000 - Analysers ## Release History - 6 Feb 2026 at 08:36 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010748-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010748-2026 6th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.nhsbt.nhs.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-064996. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064996.json.