ESNEFT2745 - Pathology Labels, Forms and Packaging

The Contracting Authority is undertaking preliminary market engagement (PME) to inform the development of a future procurement for the supply of Bespoke Pathology Consumables. This is to include Labels, Forms, Specimen Bags and miscellaneous packaging. The Authority will be conducting the further competition under the Procurement Act 2023.

The purpose of this engagement is to understand current market capability, capacity, and commercial models that may enhance the delivery of high quality and efficient Pathology consumables.

Through this early engagement, the Authority seeks insight into the intended Procurement route and stages under the competitive flexible procedure, value for money, operational resilience and ethical supply chain sourcing. Feedback from Suppliers will help shape the procurement strategy, refine the service specification, and ensure that the future opportunity is realistic, deliverable, and aligned with market best practice.

Participation in this engagement is voluntary and will not form part of any future tender evaluation process. Information shared at this stage will be used solely to support the Authority’s planning and will not advantage or disadvantage any supplier in any subsequent competition.

The engagement will run from the date of this notice 8 April 2026 until 22 April 2026 as the deadline for any feedback. To participate in this engagement Suppliers must submit an expression of interest to [email protected] no later than noon on 13 April 2026.

Upon expressing an interest to participate in this engagement, Suppliers must confirm if they have the capability to provide such products and provide some indicative information to substantiate this (i.e: customer reference sites).

The Authority will then share an overview of the opportunity in more detail with capable providers and offer a dedicated 1:1 meeting virtually via MS Teams should the supplier wish to discuss the requirements further. The offer of a 1:1 slot is at the discretion of the Authority.

The Authority will outline specific areas they seek feedback on from capable Suppliers during this engagement. This is not an exhaustive list and the Authority welcome all feedback the Suppliers feel relevant for the Authority to consider.

All capable Suppliers will have the opportunity to submit questions during the engagement up until the feedback deadline for this stage. The Authority may try to answer these either during this period should it impact the Suppliers response or immediately following the event if it doesn’t. The Authority may also request additional feedback as appropriate following this engagement.

If operational pressures require them to do so, the Authority may change the date of the engagement and subsequent 1:1's. Any amendments will be notified ahead of the event.

Details of any future procurement will be published separately in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.