Provision of: Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET-CT) Services (all ages) and the Supply of Tracers

NHS England Specialised Commissioning (the "Contracting Authority”) is inviting suitably qualified and experienced suppliers to express an interest in providing Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET-CT) Services (all ages) and/or supplying the Tracers to providers of the Services, by responding to this opportunity. NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands CSU (AGCSU) is acting as an agent for and on behalf of the Contracting Authority and is supporting the ITT.

PET-CT is a specialist diagnostic scan which is used extensively in cancer; it is also used in a relatively small number of other non-cancer specialties, such as neurology and infection and immunity. The scan itself involves the use of radioisotopes (or ‘tracers’) which are injected into the patient around an hour prior to the scan.

Tracers can be grouped into those which are produced in cyclotron and hot cell facilities (‘standard tracers’), and those which typically need to be produced in radiopharmacy facilities that are co-located with scanners, due to radioactive half-life considerations (‘non-standard tracers’). Standard tracers account for >90% of PET-CT activity and almost all standard tracer scans involve FDG (a tracer).

Each Lot will comprise of 12 identical Sub-Lots, enabling the pairing of Lot 1 and Lot 2 suppliers so that a complete PET-CT service is available to patients within those 12 Sub-Lot areas. On completion of the procurement, there will be 12 scanning services, which will together equate to c.50% of the NHS PET-CT market in England.

The opportunity also includes a variant bid element within Lot 1, which will allow bidders to put forward proposals to establish up to 6 gallium scanning services nationally, i.e., 1 per NHS England Region included within the procurement opportunity. This is to enable increased access for patients to gallium scans.

It is also proposed to future-proof the provision of amyloid scanning – this will only be activated within the Contracts in the event that approval is given for the use of disease modifying treatments for memory loss conditions and that those treatments require PET-CT amyloid scanning. This step has been taken to futureproof the Contracts for a potential, but not certain, service development.

Where gallium is to be supplied as part of a consortium, the Contracting Authority will mandate a form of 'sub-contract' for use between the scanning services provider and the gallium supplier. The form of contract will be mandated as a sub-contract between the scanning services provider in the relevant geography in Lot 1 and the standard tracer supplier in the corresponding geography in Lot 2.

This model has been used previously to secure PET-CT provision. Direct Agreements – The Contracting Authority will also enter into a direct agreement with the successful standard tracer suppliers (to ensure proper flow down across all contracts linked to the procurement opportunity).

Open procedure description: This procurement will follow an Open Procedure. This will be a single stage procurement where Bidders are asked to submit a response to the PSQ and ITT on the same date.

Only bidders that pass the PSQ will have their tender response evaluated. No additional steps will be used.

Completion of these will be a gateway requirement for access to the ITT, and bidders must submit their completed EWA within the timescales set out in this Tender Notice. Following confirmation of compliance, the ITT will be released simultaneously to all eligible bidders (see below) in early March 2026.

Please allow approximately four (4) working days for the Contracting Authority to process your submission and confirm eligibility. The Contracting Authority may consider allowing late submission of the EWA , however in no circumstances can bidders submit this documentation after 06/03/2026 at 12:00hrs.

Bidders who are late to submit their EWA documents will be required to submit their PSQ and ITT responses on the same date as bidders who submit their EWA documents on time. The PSQ will be assessed on a pass/fail basis covering legal, financial and technical requirements.

Tenders from bidders that pass all PSQ criteria will then be evaluated. Bidders who fail the PSQ will be excluded and will not have their tenders evaluated.

A clarification process will operate during the PSQ and ITT period to enable bidders to seek clarification from the Contracting Authority. Due diligence will be undertaken by the Contracting Authority prior to contract award to provide assurance that there are no material risks that could prevent contract signature i.e. if a Supplier bidding for the contract no longer meets the minimum standards required, and their Tender is rejected as a result, the Contracting Authority reserves the right to award the Contract to the next highest scoring Supplier.

Please note the Contracting Authority reserves the right at any stage of the procurement to abandon the competition and not award a contract. The Contracting Authority also reserves the right to make minor amendments to the procurement documentation (for example, to clarify or refine requirements), provided such changes are not substantial and do not distort competition.

If amendments are made, the Contracting Authority will consider whether any corresponding tender deadlines require revision and will issue updated documentation or notices where appropriate. Lot 1 Core – The Scanning services only (without the supply of gallium tracers or associated gallium scanning services) – all Scanning Providers are required to bid for.

This will include the provision of scanning services involving amyloid tracers. Lot 1V Variant – Scanning services (including supply of gallium tracers and associated gallium scanning services) – Scanning Providers who submit a tender for Lot 1 Core may also submit a variant tender for Lot 1 Variant if they would also like to offer to supply gallium tracers and provide associated gallium scanning services.

Scanning Providers cannot submit a tender for Lot 1 Variant without also submitting a tender for Lot 1 Core. This main lot will be divided further into 12 Sub-Lots.

Further information can be found in the ITT documents including the specific sub-lot values. Further information can be found in the ITT documents including the specific sub-lot values: – Standard Scans (excluding Amyloid scan but including F 18 PSMA scans): £977,251,000 (ex VAT) – Non-Standard Scans (Gallium PSMA and SSR or NETs): £130,552,000 (ex VAT) – Amyloid Scans – Subject to NICE approval: £29,374,000 (ex VAT)

The supply of standard tracers, including amyloid tracers and F18 PSMA. All Scanning Services Contracts awarded under Lot 1 will require the Scanning Provider to purchase and use standard tracers.

Given the nature of the market, to ensure competitive pricing and sustainable supply nationally, the Contracting Authority will procure standard tracer suppliers under Lot 2. The successful Scanning Providers from Lot 1 will be required to purchase standard tracers from the Lot 2 ST Supplier(s) in the corresponding Sub-Lot.

The Contracting Authority will mandate the form of contract between the Scanning Provider and the corresponding ST Supplier(s). This main lot will be divided further into 12 Sub-Lots.

Further information can be found in the ITT documents. including the specific sub-lot values. Further information can be found in the ITT documents including the specific sub-lot values: – Standard Tracers (all incl. F18 PSMA): £385,980,000 (ex VAT) – Amyloid Scans – Subject to NICE approval: £15,624,000 (ex VAT)