Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)
Alder House, Alder Court, St Asaph Business Park
St. Asaph
LL17 0JL
UK
Contact person: Liz Ewing
Telephone: +44 2921501074
E-mail: liz.ewing@wales.nhs.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/home.html
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/home.html
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
CLI-FTS-58921 Culture Media and Associated Consumables
Reference number: CLI-FTS-58921
II.1.2) Main CPV code
24931250
II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
II.1.4) Short description
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership Procurement Services (NWSSP ProcS), hosted by Velindre NHS Trust, invites tenders on behalf
of all NHS Bodies in Wales to appoint suitably qualified suppliers of Culture Media & Associated Consumables to an All Wales
Framework Agreement. The duration of this Framework Agreement will be four years with the option to extend for a further two years
(maximum six years). This procurement is split into eleven Lots with a mixture of sole and multi supply Lots. Bidders may submit offers for
one or all Lots.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
8 809 107.84
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing.
Used to help find the best treatment for bacterial and certain fungal infections. Lot includes testing discs, identification discs, and Mueller Hinton plated media.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Plated Media - Mueller Hinton-F (NAD)
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Growth medium used to culture bacterial isolates and their susceptibility to antibiotics. Lot includes Mueller Hinton agar with 5% defibrinated horse blood and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD).
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Plated Media - Culture
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A solid or semi-solid substance that provides the necessary nutrients for microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, to grow and multiply. Lot includes Chromogenic, Fastidious Anaerobe (FAA) and Columbia.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Plated Media - Braziers CCEY
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A specialised, selective plated media used to isolate and identify Clostridium from patient samples. Lot includes Braziers CCEY agar with lysed horse blood, cefoxitin, cyclomerize and egg yolk emulsion.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Plated Media – Triple Wrapped.
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A nutrient-rich growth medium sterilised using gramma radiation with and protected by three layers of packaging to maintain sterility and prevent contamination. Lot includes both 55mm and 90mm irradiated plates.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 6
II.2.1) Title
Bottled Media.
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Prepared, ready to use media supplied in various volumes, typically for food, water, and environmental microbiological testing. Lot includes various bottled media, agar slopes, waters, and ancillary bottled items.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 7
II.2.1) Title
Mycobacterium Solid Media.
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Used for the isolation and identification of mycobacterium species, such as the presence of tuberculosis. Lot includes both acidified and non-acidified glycerol and pyruvate media.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 8
II.2.1) Title
MIC Gradient Strips.
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Porous strips impregnated with pre-defined gradient of an antimicrobial agent, for determining the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that will stop the growth of a microorganism. Lot includes numerous antimicrobial gradient strips.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 9
II.2.1) Title
Atmospheric Generation Systems.
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Devices that create specific gaseous environments for microbial culture and testing. Lot includes microaerophilic, anaerobic, co2 generating packs, indicator sachets, boxes, and jars.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 10
II.2.1) Title
Quality Control Organisms.
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Used to ensure tests are accurate and reliable. They serve as a standard to verify that reagents, media, and stains are working correctly. Organisms are maintained as stock cultures and come from reference collections. Lot includes numerous NCTC organisms.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 11
II.2.1) Title
Antisera.
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
24931250
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, used for identifying unknown bacteria and viruses through various serological tests. Lot includes monovalent and polyvalent antisera. For example, salmonella and shigella.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Option to extend for a further 24 months
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
As stated in the ITT document
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
As stated in the ITT document
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with several operators.
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 10
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2025/S 000-025949
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
16/12/2025
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
16/12/2025
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
January 2032
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
The NHS Bodies in existence at the time of this tender are:
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Powys Teaching Health Board
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Velindre NHS Trust
Public Health Wales NHS Trust
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust
Please note that this is a multi lot ITT. Bidders should access the conditions of participation ITT (itt_121099) which will provide full instructions and guidance for how to access the other ITTs
NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=157683
(WA Ref:157683)
The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
Telephone: +44 2079477501
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
4-5 Charnwood Court, Heol Billingsley, Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QZ
UK
Telephone: +44 1443848585
VI.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
4-5 Charnwood Court, Heol Billingsley, Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QZ
UK
Telephone: +44 1443848585
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
04/11/2025