Official UK procurement notice
CLI-FTS-58921 Culture Media and Associated Consumables
Authority: NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust) (NHS & healthcare)·Consortium: 3 public authorities
What is being bought11 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNHS Wales Shared Services Partnership Procurement Services (NWSSP-ProcS), hosted by Velindre NHS Trust, have established an All-Wales Framework Agreement for Culture Media and Associated Consumables on behalf of all NHS Bodies in Wales.
The Framework Agreement will have an initial duration of four years, with the option to extend for a further two years, giving a maximum total duration of six years.
Organisations who may enter into the Agreement include
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
Public Health Wales Trust
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Velindre NHS Trust (Surgical Material Testing Laboratory (SMTL) and Welsh Blood Service)
- Recurrence: January 2032
CPV: Culture medium
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs are awarded directly to appointed suppliers, without further competition
- Places
- up to 10 suppliers · 3 appointed
- Framework period
- 3 yrs 11 mo · up to 6 yrs from 1 Aug 2026
- Buyer regions
- UKL
Who may buy through it
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
Public Health Wales Trust
Swansea Bay Health Board
Velindre NHS Trust (Surgical Material Testing Laboratory (SMTL) and Welsh Blood Service)
Published description of the framework
Multi-supplier framework with direct purchasing permissible by organisation able to use framework.
Lots and requirements (11)Procurement structure
11 lots · no lot values publishedLot #1Antimicrobial Sensitivity TestingAwardedRenewal
The source published no individual description for this lot.
Lot #2Plated Media - Mueller Hinton-F (NAD)Renewal
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).
Lot #3Plated Media - CultureRenewal
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.
Lot #4Plated Media - Braziers CCEYRenewal
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.
Lot #5Plated Media – Triple Wrapped.Renewal
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.
Lot #6Bottled Media.Renewal
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.
Lot #7Mycobacterium Solid Media.Renewal
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.
Lot #8MIC Gradient Strips.Renewal
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.
Lot #9Atmospheric Generation Systems.Renewal
Devices that create specific gaseous environments for microbial culture and testing. Lot includes microaerophilic, anaerobic, co2 generating packs, indicator sachets, boxes, and jars.
Lot #10Quality Control Organisms.Renewal
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.
Lot #11Antisera.Renewal
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.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- 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 Public Health Wales Trust Swansea Bay Health Board Velindre NHS Trust (Surgical Material Testing Laboratory (SMTL) and Welsh Blood Service)
- Competition type
- Direct award (no call for competition)
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · January 2032
- First published
- 23 May 2025, 11:09 BST
- Last source update
- 2 Sept 2026, 12:02 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 16 Dec 2025 – …
- Authority reference
CLI-FTS-58921- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-083009- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-052163Find a Tender
- Why no open competition
- Additional Repeat Further Following Competitive Procedure
- Published justification
Please note that this procurement was not awarded via a direct award process. A competitive procurement procedure was conducted in compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. A UK1 Pipeline Notice is associated with this procurement and has been published separately. Owing to an administrative error, an F02 Contract Notice was issued in place of the required UK4 Tender Notice. As a result, this UK5 Transparency Notice is being published to ensure transparency and maintain a clear audit trail, enabling the publication of the UK6 Contract Award Notice and subsequent UK7 Contract Details Notice.
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
- Performance terms
As stated in the ITT document
Publisher note: 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 https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=157683 (WA Ref:157683) The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia.
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 16 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bids opened
- 16 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
Timeline
23 May 2025 → 2 Sept 2026 · 7 dates- Planning notice published23 May 2025, 11:09 BST
- Next notice expected375 days ago13 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends312 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown16 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Bids opened312 days ago16 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Contract starts84 days ago1 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
- Standstill ends66 days ago18 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
- Latest notice published52 days ago2 Sept 2026, 12:02 BST
Notice history
13 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 May 2025- Pipeline notice published23 May 2025, 11:09 BSTUK1
- Published value published: £8,809,1084 Nov 2025, 16:16 GMT
- Status changed to active4 Nov 2025, 16:16 GMT
- Procurement method changed4 Nov 2025, 16:16 GMT
- Deadline published: 16 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT4 Nov 2025, 16:16 GMT
- Buyer details updated4 Nov 2025, 16:16 GMT
- Transparency notice published7 Aug 2026, 09:57 BSTUK5
- Status changed to complete7 Aug 2026, 09:57 BST
- Procurement method changed7 Aug 2026, 09:57 BST
- Buyer details updated7 Aug 2026, 09:57 BST
- Contract award notice published7 Aug 2026, 11:28 BSTUK6
- Contract signature expected19 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published2 Sept 2026, 12:02 BSTUK7
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2025-11: 1 release · 4 Nov 2025
- 2025-05: 1 release · 23 May 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing1 award | |||
| E&O Laboratories Ltd, Launch Diagnostics LtdSME, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics LtdCLI-FTS-58921 CULTURE MEDIA & ASSOCIATED CONSUMABLES1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2030 · up to 31 Aug 2032Extensions: Option to extend for 2 years | £6,741,113 | 7 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
CLI-FTS-58921 CULTURE MEDIA & ASSOCIATED CONSUMABLES · E&O Laboratories Ltd, Launch Diagnostics LtdSME, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Ltd
- Signed
- 28 Aug 2026
- Value
- £6,741,113
- Period
- 1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2030 · up to 31 Aug 2032 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Option to extend for a further 2 years
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)Contracting authorityCentral purchasing bodyHealthPublic authority - central governmentWelsh devolved regulations apply
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- High CourtReview body
- NHS Wales Shared Services PartnershipMediation bodyReview contact point
Framework contractors & participating bidders
4 commercial parties on the notice- E&O Laboratories LtdFramework contractor
- Launch Diagnostics LtdFramework contractor
- Launch Diagnostics LtdFramework contractor
- Thermo Fisher Diagnostics LtdFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (6)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender