Supply of Sample Tubes
The contract covers the supply of evacuated sample tubes for NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), an English Special Health Authority responsible for blood, organ, stem cell and tissue donation and transplantation services across the United Kingdom. The tubes will support NHSBT’s testing function, which conducts large-scale blood grouping and microbiological screening of donations at two testing sites in England handling approximately 1.5 million donations annually. Each donation requires at least three 6 mL K2 EDTA tubes with colour-coded caps, while some donors require additional 4 mL EDTA and K3 EDTA tubes; every tube must accommodate a unique barcode label applied at the bedside over a blank manufacturer’s label. The contract value and initial term are not specified, but the opportunity includes two optional 12-month extensions. Delivery regions are not specified, although the products will be used at NHSBT’s two testing sites in England. The critical technical requirement is the supply of evacuation-type tubes compatible with NHSBT’s bedside barcode-labelling process.
Buyer: NHS Blood and Transplant. Source: Find a Tender. Updated 23 Sept 2026.
Key facts
- Estimated value: £2.9m
- Bids close: 26 Oct 2026
- Location: Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
- Procedure: Open procedure
- Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 to 29 Feb 2032
- Category: Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (33000000)
From the official notice
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority in England, with responsibilities across the United Kingdom for organ donation and transplantation. Our core purpose is to ‘save and improve lives’ through the provision of a safe and reliable supply of blood components, solid organs, stem cells, tissues and related services to the NHS, and to the other UK Health Services where directed. Testing function in the Blood Supply Directorate performs a wide range of testing services, these include but are not limited to the large-scale blood grouping and microbiological screening of blood and tissue donations. The Authority has two testing sites in England, in which approximately 1.5 million donations are tested each year. Each donation bled requires a minimum of 3 x 6mL sample tubes to be taken into K2 EDTA tubes which have colour coded caps for identification purposes. Some donors also require additional tubes these include but are not limited to 4mL EDTA and K3 EDTA tubes. Tubes are of the evacuation type and the Authority requires a unique bar-code label to be affixed at bed side over a blank manufacturers label.
View the official notice
Questions about this tender
When is the deadline?
Bids close on 26 Oct 2026.
What is it worth?
The estimated value is £2.9m.
Who can apply?
The buyer has marked it as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
How do I bid?
Open the official notice, register on the buyer's portal and submit your bid before the deadline.
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