Supply and support of High-Throughput Blood Group Genotyping

NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) Genomics function intends to undertake a tender exercise for the supply and support of high-throughput blood group genotyping. We would like to work with future suppliers of choice to procure a high-throughput Human Erythrocyte Antigen (HEA) and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genotyping system in an efficient, timely and cost-effective manner to meet the demands and expectations of our customers and the patients we serve.

Prior to commencing a formal procurement process and to help inform our strategy, NHSBT is seeking to engage with suppliers of commercially available high-throughput solutions that can be used for genotyping red cell types (HEA) and HLA types. NHSBT would like to improve our knowledge of all current and future systems available in the marketplace.

This will aid identification of opportunities and gauge market interest in this field. NHSBT requires a high-throughput (20,000 – 80,000 test per annum) blood group genotyping solution that provides either: equipment and consumables to genotype blood group genetic variants or equipment and consumables to genotype blood group genetic variants and blood group typing software to generate predicted HEA and HLA types The proposed solution must enable genotyping of blood group variants associated with an extended panel of red cell blood groups (Appendix 1).

The solution must enable the determination of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) types (alleles) at the following genes: HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DRA, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DRB3, HLA-DRB4, HLA-DRB5, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DPB1. Blood group genotyping software for both HEA and HLA typing must support compliance with relevant national and international typing and clinical standards, including ISBT, JPAC, and IPD-IMGT/HLA.

Respondents will be invited to pre-procurement engagement meetings on the 4th, 5th and/or 6th May 2026 these will be held remotely. This should include a list of your potential attendees and a brief overview (or a website link) of the Goods / Services which might be offered.

Please include options, if available, to offer a managed service contract. No business whatsoever is guaranteed under any resulting framework agreement or contract, and there is no guarantee that any framework agreement or contract will be put in place in relation to this notice.

No compensation etc. will be paid if a tender or resulting framework agreement is withdrawn for any reason. Bidders should take part in this process only on the basis that they fully understand and accept this position.

It should be noted that this procurement exercise may allow other Health authorities to utilise any contracts/ framework agreements awarded. Appendix 1 – HEA blood group systems ABO Rh Kell Duffy Kidd MNS Dombrock Colton Cromer Diego Knops Lutheran LW Scianna Cartwright (Yt) Vel P1PK (P system) Wright