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

Pathology Managed Equipment Service (MES) – South 4 Pathology Network

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 6 Oct 2026, 12:22.

Opportunity overview

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is undertaking this procurement in its own name and on behalf of the other participating trusts within the South 4 Pathology Network, namely Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Authority intends to procure a Pathology Managed Equipment Service (MES) to support high-quality, resilient and standardised pathology services across participating sites. The service is expected to cover the provision, installation, commissioning and lifecycle management of pathology laboratory equipment, together with maintenance, servicing, repair, upgrades, replacement planning, training and performance support. The scope of testing is expected to focus primarily on blood sciences and related hospital laboratory services, including biochemistry, haematology, coagulation, serology, immunology, automation and pre-pre-analytics such as specimen tracking and auto receipting. The service model is expected to include equipment supply through capital and/or leased models, asset management, consumables and reagents where required, inventory and logistics management, interoperability with existing and future LIMS, digital enablement, automation, data and reporting capability, technical support, training and continuous service improvement. The procurement project is aligned to NHS pathology transformation priorities. It is also expected to contribute to sustainability and social value objectives. The service will be delivered across multiple NHS sites within the South 4 Pathology Network geography, with flexibility for future changes to network configuration. The Authority anticipates awarding either a single supplier or multi-lot contract, with the final structure and contract term to reflect equipment lifecycle and long-term service delivery requirements. The information provided is indicative only and does not constitute a call for competition or commitment to procure. This Pre Market Engagement notice is issued in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023.

Classification

  • CPV33100000 — Medical equipments
  • CPV33124100 — Diagnostic devices
  • CPV33124110 — Diagnostic systems
  • CPV33124130 — Diagnostic supplies
  • CPV33696300 — Chemical reagents
  • CPV33696500 — Laboratory reagents
  • CPV38434000 — Analysers
  • CPV38434550 — Blood-cell counters
  • CPV38434560 — Chemistry analyser
  • CPV38434570 — Haematology analysers
  • CPV38434580 — Immunoassay analysers
  • CPV50421000 — Repair and maintenance services of medical equipment
  • CPV51430000 — Installation services of laboratory equipment
  • CPV71900000 — Laboratory services
  • CPV72267100 — Maintenance of information technology software
  • CPV72268000 — Software supply services
  • CPV72511000 — Network management software services
  • CPV79418000 — Procurement consultancy services

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

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
C288438
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
Status
planned

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Communication

Future Notice Date
1 Dec 2026, 23:59

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Has Renewal
Yes
Status
planned

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
1 Jun 2029, 00:00
Ends
31 May 2036, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 May 2043, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
71900000
Description
Laboratory services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
79418000
Description
Procurement consultancy services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
72268000
Description
Software supply services
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
38434550
Description
Blood-cell counters
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
33100000
Description
Medical equipments
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
50421000
Description
Repair and maintenance services of medical equipment
Entry 7
Scheme
CPV
Id
72267100
Description
Maintenance of information technology software
Entry 8
Scheme
CPV
Id
33124100
Description
Diagnostic devices
Entry 9
Scheme
CPV
Id
33124110
Description
Diagnostic systems
Entry 10
Scheme
CPV
Id
33124130
Description
Diagnostic supplies
Entry 11
Scheme
CPV
Id
33696300
Description
Chemical reagents
Entry 12
Scheme
CPV
Id
33696500
Description
Laboratory reagents
Entry 13
Scheme
CPV
Id
38434000
Description
Analysers
Entry 14
Scheme
CPV
Id
38434560
Description
Chemistry analyser
Entry 15
Scheme
CPV
Id
38434570
Description
Haematology analysers
Entry 16
Scheme
CPV
Id
38434580
Description
Immunoassay analysers
Entry 17
Scheme
CPV
Id
51430000
Description
Installation services of laboratory equipment
Entry 18
Scheme
CPV
Id
72511000
Description
Network management software services

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
The participating trusts within the South 4 Pathology Network are continuing the preliminary market engagement originally commenced under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 through Prior Information Notice 2022/S 000-012490. The Network subsequently published UK1 Pipeline Notice 2026/S 000-054473 to reflect that any future procurement will be conducted under the Procurement Act 2023. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is acting as the contracting authority for this preliminary market engagement on behalf of the participating trusts within the South 4 Pathology Network: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. References in this notice to the Authority are to Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acting in that capacity. The Authority is considering the procurement of a Pathology Managed Equipment Service (MES). The indicative scope includes the provision, installation, commissioning and lifecycle management of pathology laboratory equipment, together with maintenance, servicing, repairs, upgrades, replacement planning, training and performance support. The testing scope is expected to focus primarily on blood sciences and associated hospital laboratory services, including biochemistry, haematology, coagulation, serology, immunology, automation and pre-analytics, such as specimen tracking and automatic receipting. The service model may include equipment supplied through capital and/or lease arrangements, asset management, consumables and reagents where required, inventory and logistics management, interoperability with existing and future laboratory information management systems, digital enablement, automation, data and reporting, technical support, training and continuous service improvement. The proposed service is intended to support network standardisation, service resilience, improved efficiency and turnaround times, high-quality patient-centred diagnostic services, sustainability and social value. It is expected to be delivered across multiple NHS sites within the South 4 Pathology Network, with flexibility to accommodate future changes to the network configuration. As part of the preliminary market engagement, the Authority is considering whether a single-supplier, multi-supplier and/or lot-based contracting model would be appropriate. Any future procurement structure and contract term will be determined following consideration of the engagement outcomes, equipment lifecycles and long-term service delivery requirements. Interested suppliers should register on the Atamis e-tendering portal and locate the opportunity using Atamis reference C288438. All engagement documents, instructions, clarifications and responses will be managed through Atamis. Suppliers should ensure that their organisation and contact details are current on the portal. The preliminary market engagement may include: • publication of a Request for Information (RFI); • supplier engagement events, held virtually and/or in person; • technical workshops; • written feedback submissions; and • one-to-one supplier meetings. A supplier questionnaire will be available through Atamis following registration, with responses required by 12.00 pm on 12 October 2026. Details and dates for any supplier briefing sessions, technical workshops or one-to-one meetings will be communicated through Atamis. Participation in any preliminary market engagement activity is voluntary. The Authority will conduct the engagement in a transparent and proportionate manner and will take appropriate steps to ensure that participation does not distort competition or provide any supplier with an unfair advantage in a subsequent procurement. Final arrangements, including joining instructions and any changes to the timetable, will be communicated through Atamis. The South 4 Pathology Network intends to undertake this market engagement to: • inform the development of the procurement strategy; • understand supplier capability and capacity; • explore available technologies and service delivery models; • inform specification development; • consider commercial models and risk allocation; • identify opportunities for innovation and service transformation; and • support the design of a future procurement using the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This notice is issued in accordance with section 16 of the Procurement Act 2023 to inform the market of planned preliminary market engagement in advance of a potential future procurement. Information obtained through the engagement may be used to inform the Authority’s procurement strategy, specification, commercial approach, procurement structure and timetable. This notice does not constitute a call for competition, an invitation to tender or a commitment to commence a procurement process or award a contract. Participation is voluntary and will not confer an advantage in any subsequent procurement; equally, non-participation will not place a supplier at a disadvantage. To support transparency and fair competition, information arising from the engagement that is relevant to any subsequent procurement will, subject to applicable legal, confidentiality and commercial sensitivity requirements, be made available to suppliers participating in that procurement. The Authority will maintain appropriate records of the preliminary market engagement in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and its associated requirements.
Due
12 Oct 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
094146-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
6 Oct 2026, 10:56
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Id
GB-PPON-PMNX-8259-DYLT

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PMNX-8259-DYLT

Address

Street Address
Chief Executive's Office,Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington
Locality
Oxford
Postal Code
OX3 9DU
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKJ14

Contact

Name
Lucy Barker
Telephone
02045834580

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government
Organisation 2
Name
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Id
GB-PPON-PRZJ-5573-LWLP

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PRZJ-5573-LWLP

Address

Street Address
Marlborough Road
Locality
Swindon
Postal Code
SN3 6BB
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKK14

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government
Organisation 3
Name
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Id
GB-PPON-PHNT-5649-ZYQJ

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PHNT-5649-ZYQJ

Address

Street Address
Whielden Street
Locality
Amersham
Postal Code
HP7 0JD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKJ13

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government
Organisation 4
Name
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Id
GB-PPON-PVVZ-3124-DVPH

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PVVZ-3124-DVPH

Address

Street Address
Standing Way, Eaglestone
Locality
Milton Keynes
Postal Code
MK6 5LD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKJ12

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Oxford · UKJ14 · OX3 9DU · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

2 VERSIONS
  1. 054473-2026Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 094146-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·

PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS

ProcuraAxis Analysis

Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.

ANALYSIS PREVIEW

Opportunity intelligence at a glance

Early-stage preliminary market engagement for a planned Pathology Managed Equipment Service across the South 4 Pathology Network. The anticipated service covers supply, installation, commissioning and lifecycle management of pathology laboratory equipment, associated reagents and consumables, maintenance, digital/LIMS interoperability, logistics, training and performance support. This is not a call for competition and bidding is not open.

Who this may suit

Relevant to suppliers able to deliver integrated pathology laboratory managed-equipment services, including analysers, automation, reagents, maintenance, laboratory IT integration and multi-site technical support.

Key points identified

  • Managed equipment service scopeExpected to provide pathology laboratory equipment and its installation, commissioning and lifecycle management.Evidence: “provision, installation, commissioning and lifecycle management of pathology laboratory equipment”
  • Maintenance and supportExpected to include maintenance, servicing, repair, upgrades, replacement planning, training and performance support.Evidence: “maintenance, servicing, repair, upgrades, replacement planning, training and performance support”
  • Clinical and laboratory scopeExpected primary focus is blood sciences and related hospital laboratory services, including biochemistry, haematology, coagulation, serology, immunology, automation and pre-pre-analytics.Evidence: “scope of testing is expected to focus primarily on blood sciences and related hospital laboratory services”
94% approved-analysis confidence8 supplier criteria identified4 risks or unknowns

SOURCE AND FRESHNESS

Traceable procurement data

Source
Find a Tender
Notice reference
094146-2026
OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b135
First published
9 Jun 2026
Last checked
6 Oct 2026, 12:22
Notice versions reviewed
2
View Find a Tender notice ↗

HOW THIS WAS PREPARED

Approved, evidence-bound analysis

ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.

Analysis status
Approved for publication
Analysed
6 Oct 2026
Read the analysis methodology →