Outsourcing of Genetic Testing

Procurement reference

CAV-DIR (25-26) 363

Procurement description

Following the relocation of the All Wales Genomics Laboratory Service (AWMGS) to Cardiff Edge—a strategic move designed to strengthen long-term service capacity and foster innovation—the service has experienced a significant backlog of genetic tests.This backlog has arisen due to the complexities involved in transitioning laboratory operations, revalidating testing protocols, and managing sustained growth in clinical demand across Wales.Although progress has been made in stabilising operations since the move, current in-house capacity remains insufficient to consistently meet the turnaround times required for timely, accurate, and equitable patient diagnosis. To reduce the risk of delayed diagnoses and potential impacts on patient outcomes, it is necessary to continue outsourcing genetic testing to SNB Diagnostics Globales S.A.U May 2027.This extension will allow AWMGS to recover operationally, maintain continuity of service delivery, uphold clinical standards, and ensure that patients across Wales have fair and timely access to essential genetic testing services.Failure to maintain this outsourced provision would place the laboratory in an unrecoverable operational position, with serious consequences for service resilience and patient care

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

SNB Diagnostics Globales S.A.U

Procedure type

Direct award

Description of how these justifications apply

The outsourcing of genetic testing is dependent on the selected provider’s proprietary methodologies, validated testing processes, and accredited laboratory systems. The provider operates under UKAS ISO15189 accreditation and utilises established analytical and interpretive processes that are not transferable or replicable by alternative providers without significant risk to quality and compliance. As a result, the service is effectively protected by exclusive rights associated with the provider’s validated testing platforms and reporting systems, limiting the ability to seek competition

Direct award justification

Single suppliers technical reasons