Official UK procurement notice
Provision of External Online Sexual Health Screening Services
Authority: Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (Central government)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe service is an online testing platform via (SH.UK & Freetest.me which offers fully integrated self-sampling online sexual health service that allows service users to provide their own clinical support and remote screening for STI's) with good level of embedded local clinical support, including direct links into Trust system and pathways.
It is hoped that an online service with postal testing and clinic in a box will:
- Enable asymptomatic service-users and those with mild symptoms to obtain timely and convenient STI screening without having to contact the clinic.
- Be used in conjunction with telephone triage and virtual consultations to streamline low risk asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic individuals so experienced clinicians see the symptomatic, high risk and vulnerable service-users face to face.
- Facilitate access to STI screening and treatment for those who find it difficult to attend sexual health services.
The kit requesting system should have a two-step verification process to verify real and unique users.
The following are covered;
- A postal STI screening service.
- An online platform integrated with Trust websites, with clinical triage, safeguarding, and eligibility filtering.
- Laboratory analysis through a UKAS-accredited facility, with rapid turnaround and secure communication of results.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedProcedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Direct award (no call for competition)
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 11 Jul 2025, 17:26 BST
- Last source update
- 17 Oct 2025, 13:36 BST
- Authority reference
C350769- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-066318- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-055e0aFind a Tender
- Why no open competition
- Single Suppliers Technical Reasons
- Published justification
The requirement is for an integrated external online sexual health service that ensures seamless coordination between self-sampling online sexual health service and local clinical teams for the management of positive results and safeguarding concerns. The supplier operates an online postal STI screening service i.e. the same platform, with corresponding triage algorithm AND "Clinic in a box" community kit screening service that can be given out to asymptomatic service users who attend existing services. This uniquely enables positive cases and safeguarding issues identified via online testing to be managed directly by Trust clinical team. These teams are best placed to provide timely, person-centred care, safeguarding intervention, and fast access to local treatment pathways.
The platform allows for the online ordering of STI kits, which are then dispatched via post to the service user. Samples are then returned to the laboratory for testing and negative results are communicated to the service users via the platform. Those with positive results that require treatment would be managed via the Trust clinical teams.
The current supplier offers an online testing platform (SH.UK & Freetest.me which offers fully integrated self-sampling online sexual health service that allows service users to provide their own clinical support and remote screening for STI's) with good level of embedded local clinical support, including direct links into Trust system and pathways.
This joined-up approach is crucial, not just for ensuring people get the treatment and support they need quickly, but also for making sure any safeguarding concerns are dealt with sensitively and effectively. It gives patients a seamless experience from online testing to in-person care.
The supplier being the incumbent is already embedded in the Trust system, which avoids unnecessary disruption, and they actively support outreach work in specialist settings. This level of local integration and support is required to ensure adequate care for the community and accessible to those who need them most.
Notice history
3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 11 Jul 2025- Transparency notice published11 Jul 2025, 17:26 BSTUK5
- Contract signature expected22 Jul 2025, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published17 Oct 2025, 13:36 BSTUK7
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preventx23 Jul 2025 – 31 Mar 2026 · up to 31 Mar 2027Extensions: 12-month extension. · Options: 12-month extension. | £280,000same award published again · counted once | — | Standstill |
| Preventx | £280,000 † | — | Awarded |
Contracts
Provision of External Online Sexual Health Screening Services · Preventx
- Signed
- 1 Oct 2025
- Value
- £280,000
- Period
- 3 Oct 2025 – 31 Mar 2026 · up to 31 Mar 2027 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- 12-month extension
- Options
- 12 - month extension
1 agreed KPI: Key Performance Indications
- Key Performance Indications, Turnaround Turnaround time of 7 working days or less from posting of samples to receipt of results. The provider will ensure a rapid turnaround time for tests and notification of results to either the requester (if negative results) or relevant Sexual Health service if positive. Uptime Platform available so that requests can be made for STI Screening Kits. Red measurement applies when this has been unexpected and not informed to Trusts. Data Entry Errors Quantity of service samples received are accurately logged into laboratory IT systems, in order to minimise the possibility of data entry errors.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- Preventx LimitedAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender