---
title: "SFT Purchase of respiratory testing kits for 26-27"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e745"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e745"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e745.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e745.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
published: "2026-08-19"
---

# SFT Purchase of respiratory testing kits for 26-27

Buyer: SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e745

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e745)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e745.json)

## Summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is procuring 6,500 multiplex testing kits for respiratory viruses, classified as laboratory reagents (CPV 33696500). The kits are consumables for Cepheid GeneXpert machines used in hospital laboratory testing. They are to be supplied on site to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Yeovil District Hospital in Yeovil. The requirement is split between 4,000 kits for Musgrove Park Hospital and 2,500 for Yeovil District Hospital, as set out in the purchase orders. The procurement supports ongoing respiratory virus testing and standardisation with the Trust’s laboratory testing provider. Simply Serve Ltd is also identified in the process as a Somerset NHS Foundation Trust purchasing organisation connected with the Yeovil requirement.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded on 19 August 2026 to Cepheid UK Limited. It used a direct award procedure. The Trust’s stated rationale is that the kits are required for existing Cepheid GeneXpert machines, have no alternative compatible products, and attract best value through a single bulk-purchase discount. The awarded value is £253,500 excluding VAT and £304,200 including VAT. The award covers one lot. The contract period runs from 31 August 2026 to 1 September 2026. A standstill period ends on 28 August 2026, and contract signature was scheduled for 31 August 2026. The award is marked pending, while the tender itself is marked complete.

This requirement is most relevant to suppliers of respiratory virus molecular testing consumables that are compatible with Cepheid GeneXpert machines. The buyer’s decision shows that technical compatibility with specialist equipment, continuity of laboratory operations and product standardisation are central commercial considerations. Suppliers seeking comparable NHS work would need demonstrable access to the required multiplex respiratory testing kits and the ability to supply hospital sites directly. Experience supporting clinical laboratory testing, dependable fulfilment across multiple hospitals and capacity for a substantial bulk order would strengthen credibility. The procurement also indicates that suppliers able to offer single-source purchasing arrangements and volume discounts can align with this buyer’s approach. The selected supplier is an SME specialising in these products.

## Notice

Purchase of 6500 multiplex testing kits for respiratory viruses. To be supplied on-site to Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital, split 4000 and 2500 as specified within our purchase orders.

### Procurement Information

Consumable purchase for Cepheid GeneXpert machines, which were previously selected as part of a competitive procedure as the most suitable equipment for our Hospital as well as providing standardisation with our laboratory testing provider. Consumables are required for the ongoing use of the purchased equipment and there are no alternative products that can be used with the specialist devices. Best value is obtained through bulk purchase with a single bulk purchase discount provided by the supplier.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078867-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2026 - 1 Sep 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £253,500 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST |
| Additional buyers | Simply Serve Ltd |
| Locality | TAUNTON |
| Postcode area | Taunton |
| Postcode | TA1 5DA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK62 Somerset |
| Local authority | Somerset |
| Electoral ward | Bishop's Hull & Taunton West |
| Westminster constituency | Taunton and Wellington |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CEPHEID UK LIMITED |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

### Codes

- 33696500 - Laboratory reagents

## Release History

- 19 Aug 2026 at 11:13 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078867-2026
- 19 Aug 2026 at 10:59 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078863-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078867-2026
  19th August 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078863-2026
  19th August 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.SimplyServeLtd.co.uk
- https://www.cepheid.com/en-GB.html
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-06e745. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e745.json.