Histopathology Archive Storage Services

Procurement description

NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) is giving advance notice of a potential future procurement for the provision of off-site Histopathology Archive Storage and Retrieval Services.

The requirement is currently being assessed on behalf of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, with discussions ongoing to determine whether additional NHS Wales organisations may participate in the future requirement.

The anticipated scope may include:

Secure off-site storage of histopathology archive materials;

Storage and management of paraffin wax blocks and histopathology slides;

Retrieval and transportation services;

Archive tracking and chain-of-custody management;

Archive migration and mobilisation services; and

Associated reporting and contract management arrangements.

NWSSP intends to undertake Preliminary Market Engagement to inform the procurement strategy, specification development and assessment of market capability and capacity.

The estimated value is indicative and based on the currently anticipated scope. The final contract value and participating organisations may be refined following stakeholder engagement and Preliminary Market Engagement activities.

This notice is for information purposes only and does not constitute a call for competition.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKL21 - Monmouthshire and Newport
• UKL16 - Gwent Valleys

Total value (estimated)

300000.00 GBP Excluding VAT

360000.00 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

01 April 2027, 00:00AM to 31 March 2032, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 March 2037

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Procedure type

Open procedure

Reduced Tendering Period

Qualifying planned procurement notice

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

CPV classifications

• 85111800 - Pathology services

Delivery regions

• UKL21 - Monmouthshire and Newport
• UKL16 - Gwent Valleys

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 April 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2032, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 March 2037, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The proposed contract term is indicative only and remains subject to further stakeholder engagement and procurement planning. It is currently anticipated that the contract may be awarded for an initial period of five years, with options to extend for up to a further five years.

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

17 November 2026

Tender submission deadline

09 December 2026, 00:00AM

Enquiry deadline

07 November 2026, 00:00AM

Date of award of contract

20 January 2027, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

Bravo e-tender portal

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

• English