Haematology Analyser for the Welsh Blood Service
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)Estimated Value
Not specified
Deadline
8 September 2026
13 days remaining
Published
25 August 2026
Type
Not specified
Overview
The Welsh Blood Service (WBS) is seeking to engage with the market regarding the future procurement of an advanced automated haematology analysis system to support blood donor assessment, blood component quality monitoring, research and innovation activities. The proposed solution will be required to provide automated full blood count (FBC) analysis, 5-part white cell differential capability and integrated reticulocyte analysis on the primary analyser.
Of particular interest are systems capable of generating the data required to support emerging donor health assessment methodologies, including FlowScore calculation and reticulated haemoglobin analysis for the early detection of iron deficiency in blood donors. The future requirement is expected to include advanced analytical capabilities that support the unique operational needs of a blood establishment.
These include fluorescence platelet counting with high accuracy at low platelet concentrations, reticulated platelet measurement, low-level white cell enumeration suitable for blood component quality monitoring, and the ability to perform blood component testing without the need for separate instrumentation. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate how their platforms support routine blood component quality control programmes through dedicated blood bank functionality and provide evidence of successful implementation within blood services, blood centres or comparable blood establishments.WBS is particularly interested in solutions that are supported by robust External Quality Assessment (EQA/EQAS) programmes and can demonstrate meaningful peer group benchmarking through sufficient participant numbers using the same analyser platform and methodology.
Contact & helpdesk
This notice is intended to inform the market of WBS's future requirements and to encourage engagement from suppliers capable of supporting the evolving needs of blood donor care, blood component quality assurance and transfusion medicine research.Interested parties are invited to email nwssp.procurementcataloguepathology@wales.nhs.uk with details of their suitable analyser by Tuesday 8th August 2026.
Additional details
Suppliers should be able to demonstrate compliance with applicable medical device regulations, support quality and regulatory requirements through a mature quality management system and provide resilient service and maintenance arrangements that minimise downtime and ensure continuity of critical testing services. We may engage further with interested parties once responses have been received.
AI Analysis
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The Welsh Blood Service is looking for suppliers of a high‑specification automated haematology analyser to help assess donors, monitor blood component quality and support research. They want a system that can do full blood counts, detailed white‑cell and platelet analysis, and provide data for new health‑assessment methods.
Requirements
- Automated full blood count (FBC) analysis
- 5‑part white cell differential capability
- Integrated reticulocyte analysis
- Ability to generate data for FlowScore calculation and reticulated haemoglobin analysis for early iron‑deficiency detection
- Fluorescence platelet counting with high accuracy at low platelet concentrations
- Reticulated platelet measurement
- Low‑level white cell enumeration suitable for component quality monitoring
- Ability to perform blood component testing without separate instrumentation
- Demonstrate dedicated blood‑bank functionality for routine quality‑control programmes
- Provide evidence of successful implementation in blood services, blood centres or comparable establishments
- Supported by robust External Quality Assessment (EQA/EQAS) programmes and peer‑group benchmarking with sufficient participant numbers
- Compliance with applicable medical device regulations
- Mature quality management system supporting regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 13485)
- Resilient service and maintenance arrangements to minimise downtime
- Submit expression of interest by email to nwssp.procurementcataloguepathology@wales.nhs.uk by Tuesday 8 August 2026
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Supply and install an automated haematology analyser meeting the listed analytical capabilities
- Provide integrated software for FlowScore and reticulated haemoglobin calculations
- Deliver fluorescence platelet counting and reticulated platelet measurement functionality
- Enable low‑level white cell enumeration and blood component testing on the same instrument
- Implement dedicated blood‑bank quality‑control modules and demonstrate their use
- Submit case studies or evidence of previous successful deployments in blood services
- Provide documentation of compliance with medical‑device regulations and quality‑management certification
- Offer a service and maintenance contract that ensures rapid response and minimal downtime
- Provide training for WBS staff on operation, maintenance and quality‑control procedures
How to Read This Tender
- 1Read the "requirements" section carefully – it lists the exact analytical functions the analyser must have, not just general performance statements
- 2Check the "evidence of implementation" clause – you will need to supply case studies or references from other blood services, so gather those before you respond
- 3The deadline is a hard date (8 Aug 2026) and the submission is by email only; treat it as a formal expression of interest, not a full tender submission yet
- 4Look for any implicit standards such as ISO 13485 or EU/UK medical‑device conformity – you may need to provide certificates even if they are not explicitly named
- 5Make a note of the service‑maintenance expectations – a strong after‑sales support plan can be a differentiator and is explicitly required
Tips for Small Businesses
- If you cannot meet the full specification alone, consider partnering with a specialist integrator or another SME to cover gaps (e.g., software for FlowScore)
- Highlight any pilot projects, research collaborations or local NHS experience you have – small firms can stand out by showing relevance to the public‑health sector
- Emphasise your service response times and flexible maintenance contracts; WBS values minimal downtime, which can give a small, agile supplier an advantage
Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
ID MEDICAL GROUP LIMITED
3 contracts wonlatest 28 Jul 2026 - 2
SOFTCAT LTD
3 contracts wonlatest 29 Jun 2026 - 3
DRAEGER MEDICAL UK LIMITED
2 contracts wonlatest 4 Aug 2026 - 4
VERNACARE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
2 contracts wonlatest 1 Jul 2026 - 5
MEDIQ HEALTHCARE UK LIMITED
2 contracts wonlatest 1 Jul 2026
ID MEDICAL GROUP LIMITED is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
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Buyer Profile
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)Key Dates
Published
25 August 2026
Submission deadline
8 September 2026
Notice type
UK2
Source
sell2wales
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