Supply of HLA Sequencing Systems

NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics function intends to undertake a Procurement Act 2023 tender exercise for the supply of HLA sequencing systems. Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (H&I) is a strategic business function of NHSBT, providing testing and support in transplantation, specialised transfusion including the supply of selected blood products, immunogenetics, platelet and granulocyte immunology. Services are supplied through a national network of six laboratories across England. Building on our strengths as a national provider, NHSBT’s strategic aim is for its diagnostic services to become the preferred provider and supplier of choice for these services in the NHS in England. We would like to work with future suppliers to realise this ambition and to perform HLA typing in an efficient, timely and cost-effective manner to meet the demands and expectations of our customers and the patients we serve. Prior to commencing a formal procurement process and to help inform our strategy, NHSBT is seeking to engage with suppliers of commercially available HLA sequencing systems. Our current contract ends in August 2028 and NHSBT would like to improve our knowledge of all current and future systems available in the marketplace. This will aid identification of opportunities and gauge market interest in this field. We require HLA typing systems to cover the following:

• Allelic Test Kits SHOULD detect and uniquely identify all alleles of the HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DRB3/4/5, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1 and DPB1 loci at the level of resolution that additionally defines the third field according to WHO nomenclature by at least resolving all ambiguities resulting from: (1) polymorphisms located within the exons coding for HLA class I and class II proteins and (2) that encompass a null allele wherever the polymorphism is located.
• The optimal solution SHOULD define fourth field level resolution.
• We are not restricting which sequencing platform the allelic test kits are compatible with, however HLA typing should be completed within 72 hours of the start of the process.

NB: Procurement of the above systems may be managed by individual tenders.

It is NHSBT's intention to hold pre-procurement engagement meetings the week of 21OCT2026 to 23OCT2026 these will be held remotely, the date to be confirmed. To enable NHSBT to finalise arrangements (e.g. send meeting details and agree time slots) for the supplier engagement meetings, interested organisations are required to send an expression of interest via email to [contact details removed] by no later than 17:00 hrs (GMT) on 09OCT2026. This should include a list of your potential attendees and a brief overview (or a website link) of the Goods / Services which might be offered. Please include options, if available, to offer a managed service contract. No business whatsoever is guaranteed under any resulting framework agreement or contract, and there is no guarantee that any framework agreement or contract will be put in place in relation to this notice. No compensation etc. will be paid if a tender or resulting framework agreement is withdrawn for any reason. Bidders should take part in this process only on the basis that they fully understand and accept this position. It should be noted that this procurement exercise may allow other Health authorities to utilise any contracts/ framework agreements awarded.