Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Musgrove Park Hospital
Taunton
TA1 5DA
UK
Contact person: Hollie Caddy
E-mail: servicesteam.procurement@somersetft.nhs.uk
NUTS: UKK23
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/
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
PATHOLOGY SERVICES
Reference number: PATH012
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85111800
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The aim of the service is to provide a comprehensive, high‑quality diagnostic and clinical laboratory service that supports timely, accurate patient care. This includes delivering a full range of specialist and routine testing across Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Immunology, Molecular Pathology, Cellular Pathology, and Biomedical Imaging, ensuring clinicians have access to reliable results and expert interpretation.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
200 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKK23
Main site or place of performance:
Musgrove Park Hospital
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The provision of pathology services. <br/>The Authority is intending to award the contract to an existing provider following the direct award process C.<br/>The lifetime value of this contract is expected to be £200,000.00 This is a call off order. <br/>The contract dates are 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.<br/>This is an existing service with the existing provider.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Cost criterion: the existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard
/ Weighting: 100
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 IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
Explanation
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this<br/>contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations<br/>2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015<br/>do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of<br/>this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 31<br/>March 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an<br/>intention to award under the PSR.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section V: Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
18/03/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
00000N/A
Trust Management Offices, Mailpoint 18, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton
Southampton
SO16 6YD
UK
Telephone: +44 2380777222
E-mail: supplierqueries@uhs.nhs.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 200 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) confirmation of contract award notice. This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.<br/>The decision makers were: Service Manager for Pathology, Bereavement & Spiritual Care Services Clinical Support & Cancer Services Directorate.<br/>No conflicts of interest were declared among decision makers.<br/>The key criteria were weighted as follows:<br/>30% quality and Innovation<br/>30% Value<br/>15% Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability<br/>15% Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice<br/>10% Social value<br/>The weightings reflect the need to balance clinical excellence with financial responsibility while ensuring long‑term service stability and public value. Quality and innovation, along with value for money, are weighted highest (30% each) because the service is clinically critical and must remain both safe and cost‑effective. Integration, collaboration, and sustainability (15%) recognise the importance of maintaining seamless pathways and avoiding disruption to established systems. Improving access and reducing inequalities (15%) ensures the service continues to support equitable patient outcomes. Social value (10%) is included to acknowledge wider community benefits while keeping the primary focus on clinical and financial priorities.<br/>The rationale for choosing the provider with reference to the key criteria:<br/>The existing suppliers are experienced services providers with a proven track record, and they are highly likely to be able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Musgrove Park Hospital
Taunton
TA1 5DA
UK
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
NHS England
Wellington House, 133-135 Waterloo Rd
London
SE1 8UG
UK
E-mail: england.commercialqueries@nhs.net
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.england.nhs.uk/
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
18/03/2026