---
title: "Sample Archive Storage"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000734442"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000734442"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000734442.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000734442.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE COMMON SERVICES AGENCY (MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS NHS NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND) (\"NSS\")"
published: "2025-04-29"
---

# Sample Archive Storage

Buyer: THE COMMON SERVICES AGENCY (MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS NHS NATIONAL SERVICES SCOTLAND) ("NSS")  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000734442

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000734442)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000734442.json)

## Summary

The recent procurement process led by the Common Services Agency, also known as NHS National Services Scotland (NSS), focuses on "Sample Archive Storage," a project essential for the Manufacturing Department and H&I Lab of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS). This project will ensure the storage of testing samples, enabling future retrieval and testing to meet regulatory and policy requirements. The procurement targeted the health services sector and was conducted through an open procedure, concluding on 28th April 2025 with DFDS Logistics Ltd securing the contract. The main activities will occur in Edinburgh, UKM region, with an award value of £420,000. The contract encompasses the supply of external frozen storage facilities for archive samples at specific conditions, with an initial project phase potentially extending for three additional 12-month periods if required.

This tender offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in cold storage, logistics, and health sector support services. Experienced logistic providers and storage facilities with the capability to manage high volumes and maintain strict temperature controls would be best suited to compete effectively in this procurement. The awarded contract underpins the continued collaboration and innovation in health logistics, presenting chances for service providers to expand their portfolios and demonstrate quality and cost-effective solutions within a regulated environment.

## Notice

The Manufacturing department and H&I Lab of SNBTS requires to store an archive of all samples tested for future reference. This allows SNBTS the ability to retrieve and re-test archive samples as required. This is a regulatory requirement and an SNBTS policy requirement to archive samples.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

In SNBTS a sample archive has been maintained since October 1984. SNBTS require a contract to cover the supply of External Frozen Storage for Archive Samples. SNBTS retain archive samples (serum sample) from all blood donations in an individual bar-coded PPT vacutainer (13 x 100mm). This retention of this bar-coded tube as the archive sample is advantageous in assuring sample integrity, allowing accurate identification and retrieval when required and storing both plasma and cellular material for future investigations. The current archive is approx. 22 years with the intention to move to a 10-year archive depending on regulatory impact. Currently SNBTS have approximately 170 pallets. The number is subject to change and SNBTS offers no guarantee of volumes. SNBTS may also require additional temporary storage for plasma. Collaboratively across the UK blood authorities are collecting plasma for fractionation. This may require temporary storage before transportation to the fractionator. This is primarily for temporary contingency space. The volume of this storage is currently being scoped therefore it would be advantageous for the supplier to have additional available capacity if required. Initial estimates are around 20 pallets. There is a requirement to store the materials at -20C or below in a secure freezer with an appropriate temperature monitoring system. An external facility/Service Provider is sought to carry out this function. Pallets will be transported to the contracted external facility by SNBTS.

Options: There is the option for 3 x 12 month extensions

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 | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR529191 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F3 - Contract Award 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 | 29 Apr 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 14 Jul 2023 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Apr 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 | £420,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| 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 | DFDS LOGISTICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

### Codes

- 63120000 - Storage and warehousing services
- 63121000 - Storage and retrieval services

## Release History

- 29 Apr 2025 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR529191
- 13 Jun 2023 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN480931

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN480931
  Sample Archive Storage - The Manufacturing department and H&I Lab of SNBTS requires to store an archive of all samples tested for future reference. This allows SNBTS the ability to retrieve and re-test archive samples as required. This is a regulatory requirement and an SNBTS policy requirement to archive samples.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR529191
  Sample Archive Storage - The Manufacturing department and H&I Lab of SNBTS requires to store an archive of all samples tested for future reference. This allows SNBTS the ability to retrieve and re-test archive samples as required. This is a regulatory requirement and an SNBTS policy requirement to archive samples.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.nss.nhs.scot/browse/procurement-and-logistics
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000734442
- 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-r6ebe6-0000734442. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000734442.json.