ProcuraAxisBeta
Sign inCreate Free Account
Home / Opportunities / Opportunity
PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Pathology Storage and Scanning Solutions Tender Notice

Mid South Essex NHS Foundation Trust · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 1 Oct 2026, 23:00.

Opportunity overview

HealthTrust Europe is seeking to establish a framework agreement with suitably qualified providers for the provision of pathology storage, scanning, and associated management solutions, as detailed within this contract notice. The framework will support Participating Authorities by offering comprehensive services for the storage, retrieval, management, and processing of pathology materials, associated records, and digital outputs. The Framework Agreement will be structured into four Lots, each comprising core and, where applicable, optional requirements. Suppliers may bid for one or multiple Lots, including an aggregated offering. Lot 1: Storage, Retrieval and Management of Pathology Samples This Lot covers physical storage and lifecycle management of pathology materials and associated documentation. Core requirements include: physical storage and management of pathology samples and records; retrieval and transportation; inventory management; and destruction of pathology samples. Optional requirements include: provision of consumables associated with storage, handling, and transport. Lot 2: Pathology Slide Scanning Services and Solutions This Lot focuses on the digitisation of pathology materials and the management of resulting digital assets. Core requirements include: offsite slide scanning services to generate Whole Slide Images; electronic retrieval of digital images; and physical retrieval and transport of pathology samples. Optional requirements include: inventory management; virtual storage solutions; image management systemsand ; provision of consumables; destruction of pathology samples; and deletion of digital images and associated records. Lot 3: Specialised Stem Cell Storage This Lot provides specialised storage services for stem cells requiring controlled environmental conditions. Core requirements include: compliant physical storage and management of stem cells and associated records; retrieval and transportation under appropriate conditions; inventory management; and destruction of stem cells. Lot 4: Aggregated Lot This Lot enables suppliers to offer a combined solution across two or more of Lots 1–3 under a single agreement.

Classification

  • CPV63120000 — Storage and warehousing services
  • CPV63121000 — Storage and retrieval services
  • CPV79995100 — Archiving services
  • CPV85111800 — Pathology services

Lots

  • Lot 1: Storage, Retrieval and Management of Pathology Samples£40m
  • Lot 2: Pathology Slide Scanning Services and Solutions£40m
  • Lot 3: Specialised Stem Cell Storage£8.3m
  • Lot 4: Aggregated Lot£31.7m

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
PR-4691
Status
active
Procurement Method
open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Participation Fees

Entry 1
Description
2% across all lots.
Id
ocds-h6vhtk-050cfd

Type

win

Relative Value

Proportion
0.02
Monetary Value
award

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Is Open Framework Scheme
Yes
Method
withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition
Type
open
Buyer Categories
The framework will be open to all UK contracting authorities as defined in Section 1 of the Procurement Act 2023. In particular, entities of a health and/or social care nature listed in the spreadsheet at https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/classificationsandstandards/economicstatisticsclassifications/introductiontoeconomicstatisticsclassifications are envisaged as users. This includes each organisation’s successors, assigns, equivalents, and associated bodies formed through organisational changes. The framework is open to: any UK health/social care bodies; organisations with similar procurement needs; and UK central government authorities listed in Annex I of Directive 2014/24/EU, where still relevant under retained EU law and consistent with the Procurement Act 2023.
Description
Suppliers will be ranked based on their technical and commercial scores at award stage of this Framework. Call Off contracts will then be awarded via Direct Award or through further mini-competition with awarded suppliers under the applicable Lots. Specific technical and/or commercial elements will be awarded, scored and fed back on for all suppliers at framework award stage. Due to the unique nature of these services, they may align to a customers requirements in these areas. These unique requirements and service offerings will be differentiators at any call off stage, as well as any specific technical or commercial requirements presented by suppliers on the public sector landscape.
Open Framework Scheme End Date
7 Sept 2034, 23:59

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Tender Period

Ends
18 Jun 2026, 12:00

Enquiry period

Ends
8 Jun 2026, 15:00

Expected award period

Ends
7 Aug 2026, 23:59

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Lot 1: Storage, Retrieval and Management of Pathology Samples
Description
Core requirements: Physical storage and management of Pathology Samples and associated records, retrieval of Pathology Samples and transportation, inventory management, destruction of Pathology Samples. Optional requirements: provision of consumables associated with the Core requirements.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Including VAT
48,000,000
Amount
40,000,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical (Including 10% Social Value)

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
cost
Name
Commercial

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
technical
Description
As per Attachment 1 "ITT Guidance - Framework - Pathology Storage and scanning Solutions" and PSQ requirements.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
7 Sept 2026, 00:00
Ends
7 Sept 2028, 23:59
Max Extent Date
7 Sept 2034, 23:59

Renewal

Description
Commencement Date of first Framework. Duration of first framework: 2 years. Re-opening of first framework to Tenderers 6 months before expiry. Second framework commencement and duration: 3 years. Re-opening of second framework to Tenderers 6 months before expiry. Third framework commencement and duration: 3 years HTE reserves the right to extend each of the frameworks above by a further 12 months in line with section 49 of the Procurement Act. The maximum period of the Framework shall be 8 years including any extension options that have been applied.
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Lot 2: Pathology Slide Scanning Services and Solutions
Description
Core requirements: Off Site Pathology slide scanning to generate Whole Slide Images, electronic retrieval services Whole Slide Images and retrieval of Pathology Samples and transportation. Optional requirements: Physical storage and management of Pathology Samples and associated records, inventory management, Virtual Storage Solutions, Image Management Systems and AI solutions, provision of consumables associated with the Core requirements, destruction of Pathology Samples, deletion of Whole Slide Images and associated records.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Including VAT
48,000,000
Amount
40,000,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical (Including 10% Social Value)

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
cost
Name
Commercial

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
technical
Description
As per Attachment 1 "ITT Guidance - Framework - Pathology Storage and scanning Solutions" and PSQ requirements.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
7 Sept 2026, 00:00
Ends
7 Sept 2028, 23:59
Max Extent Date
7 Sept 2034, 23:59

Renewal

Description
Commencement Date of first Framework. Duration of first framework: 2 years. Re-opening of first framework to Tenderers 6 months before expiry. Second framework commencement and duration: 3 years. Re-opening of second framework to Tenderers 6 months before expiry. Third framework commencement and duration: 3 years HTE reserves the right to extend each of the frameworks above by a further 12 months in line with section 49 of the Procurement Act. The maximum period of the Framework shall be 8 years including any extension options that have been applied.
Entry 3
Id
3
Title
Lot 3: Specialised Stem Cell Storage
Description
Core Requirements: Physical storage and management of stem cells in appropriate conditions and associated records, retrieval of stem cells and transportation in appropriate conditions, inventory management, destruction of stem cells.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Including VAT
10,000,000
Amount
8,333,333
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical (Including 10% Social Value)

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
cost
Name
Commercial

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
technical
Description
As per Attachment 1 "ITT Guidance - Framework - Pathology Storage and scanning Solutions" and PSQ requirements.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
7 Sept 2026, 00:00
Ends
7 Sept 2028, 23:59
Max Extent Date
7 Sept 2034, 23:59

Renewal

Description
Commencement Date of first Framework. Duration of first framework: 2 years. Re-opening of first framework to Tenderers 6 months before expiry. Second framework commencement and duration: 3 years. Re-opening of second framework to Tenderers 6 months before expiry. Third framework commencement and duration: 3 years HTE reserves the right to extend each of the frameworks above by a further 12 months in line with section 49 of the Procurement Act. The maximum period of the Framework shall be 8 years including any extension options that have been applied.
Entry 4
Id
4
Title
Lot 4: Aggregated Lot
Description
Aggregation of Lot option (1-3) 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.
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Including VAT
38,000,000
Amount
31,666,667
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Technical (Including 10% Social Value)

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
70
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
cost
Name
Commercial

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
30
Weight
percentageExact

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
technical
Description
As per Attachment 1 "ITT Guidance - Framework - Pathology Storage and scanning Solutions" and PSQ requirements.

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
7 Sept 2026, 00:00
Ends
7 Sept 2028, 23:59
Max Extent Date
7 Sept 2034, 23:59

Renewal

Description
Commencement Date of first Framework. Duration of first framework: 2 years. Re-opening of first framework to Tenderers 6 months before expiry. Second framework commencement and duration: 3 years. Re-opening of second framework to Tenderers 6 months before expiry. Third framework commencement and duration: 3 years HTE reserves the right to extend each of the frameworks above by a further 12 months in line with section 49 of the Procurement Act. The maximum period of the Framework shall be 8 years including any extension options that have been applied.

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
63121000
Description
Storage and retrieval services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
63120000
Description
Storage and warehousing services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
79995100
Description
Archiving services
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
85111800
Description
Pathology services
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
63121000
Description
Storage and retrieval services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
63120000
Description
Storage and warehousing services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
79995100
Description
Archiving services
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
85111800
Description
Pathology services
Item 3
Id
3
Related Lot
3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
63121000
Description
Storage and retrieval services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
63120000
Description
Storage and warehousing services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
79995100
Description
Archiving services
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
85111800
Description
Pathology services
Item 4
Id
4
Related Lot
4

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
63121000
Description
Storage and retrieval services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
63120000
Description
Storage and warehousing services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
79995100
Description
Archiving services
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
85111800
Description
Pathology services

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Entry 2
Id
044925-2026
Document Type
tenderNotice
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Published
15 May 2026, 13:46
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Mid South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Id
GB-NHS-RAJ

Identifier

Scheme
GB-NHS
Id
RAJ

Address

Street Address
Nether Mayne
Locality
Basildon
Postal Code
SS16 5NL
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKH37

Contact

Name
Customer Care
Telephone
01268 524900

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government
Organisation 2
Name
HealthTrust Europe LLP
Id
GB-COH-OC358224
Role Details
On 11th August 2021, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE) published a contract notice for procurement partner services. HealthTrust Europe LLP (HTE) was selected to provide these services under the MSE Framework, including access to HTE's public sector frameworks. HTE is now conducting this procurement exercise as part of its services to the Customers under the MSE Framework.

Identifier

Scheme
GB-COH
Id
OC358224

Address

Street Address
19 George Road
Locality
Birmingham
Postal Code
B15 1NU
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKG31

Contact

Name
Customer Care
Telephone
08458875000

Roles

procuringEntity
processContactPoint

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Basildon · UKH37 · SS16 5NL · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 044925-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·