Official UK procurement notice
SPECIMEN TRANSPORTERS · UK public procurement notice
Procurement agent: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board·On behalf of: Velindre University NHS Trust
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionWEQAS require a specialist packaging solution to
distribute External Quality Assessment (EQA)
material to more than 35,000 sites globally each
month. The packaging must provide a compliant,
leak-proof secondary containment for Exempt and
Category B Biological Specimens, using sustainable
materials where possible.
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
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 9 Feb 2026, 09:34 GMT
- Last source update
- 27 Mar 2026, 14:21 GMT
- Authority reference
CAV-DIR (25-26) 166- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-028588- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-064accFind a Tender
- Why no open competition
- Commodity
- Published justification
The direct award justification applies as the current supplier has historically supplied the specialist specimen transporters and associated packaging products required for the WEQAS service. The products supplied are bespoke and designed specifically to meet WEQAS operational requirements, including unique vial sizes, transport combinations and international biological specimen transport regulations. The transporters incorporate patented leak-proof clamshell technology with integrated absorbent material and are manufactured to meet IATA transport compliance standards. These specifications are essential to ensure the safe and compliant transport of External Quality Assessment materials distributed globally. The products supplied are bespoke to WEQAS and have been developed and refined over a number of years to meet specific operational and regulatory requirements. Replicating this design and manufacturing process with an alternative supplier would present significant technical, regulatory and operational risks, including potential disruption to service delivery. Continuity of supply is critical as WEQAS distributes over 35,000 EQA consignments per month worldwide. Any disruption to packaging supply would impact international distribution and service delivery. Previous market engagement indicated that no alternative suppliers were able to meet the required specification or provide a cost-effective equivalent within operational timescales. For these reasons, the direct award is considered justified due to technical reasons, absence of competition, and the requirement for bespoke specialist products essential for service continuity.
- Risks
Market Appetite: Although a Transparency Notice and standstill period will be issued, it remains unknown whether any suppliers in the current market have developed alternative leak-proof transporter solutions that could feasibly meet WEQAS’s bespoke requirements.
Supplier Capability: It is uncertain whether any potential suppliers—if they respond—would have the capability to replicate or produce the required custom transporter design, particularly given MedDX’s historical patent and unique manufacturing process.
Lead Times & Production Capacity: Should new suppliers express interest, their manufacturing lead times, tooling requirements, and ability to scale production within WEQAS's operational timelines are unknown.
New Market Entrants: Suppliers who have not previously operated in this niche market may have recently developed capabilities but have not yet marketed or registered their interest through conventional procurement channels.
Unforeseen Regulatory Changes: Future amendments to international transport regulations or biohazard packaging standards could introduce new compliance requirements that impact product design, supplier capability, or cost.
Bespoke Product Requirement: WEQAS requires a custom-made specimen transporter specifically designed to fit its unique vial sizes and meet international transport regulations for Exempt and Category B Biological Specimens.
Historical Sole Supplier: MedDX Solutions has historically been the only supplier capable of delivering this product due to their patented leak-proof clamshell design and integrated absorbent technology.
Operational Necessity: The packaging solution is essential for WEQAS to distribute over 35,000 EQA consignments per month, meaning continuity of supply is critical for service delivery.
Market Position: Previous market engagement (and the earlier VEAT notice) confirmed that no alternative suppliers were able to meet the required specification or produce a cost-effective equivalent within operational timeframes.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- —
Timeline
19 Feb 2026 → 27 Mar 2026 · 2 dates- Standstill ends248 days ago19 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Notice published212 days ago27 Mar 2026, 14:21 GMT
Notice history
4 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 9 Feb 2026- Transparency notice published9 Feb 2026, 09:34 GMTUK5
- Contract award notice published10 Feb 2026, 14:58 GMTUK6
- Contract signature expected23 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published27 Mar 2026, 14:21 GMTUK7
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MedDX Solutions LtdSME24 Feb 2026 – 22 Feb 2028 · up to 21 Feb 2030Extensions: there are two 12 month extension options to be taken in annual increments at the discretion of the health board | £436,583 | 9 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
Specimen Transporters · MedDX Solutions LtdSME
- Signed
- 17 Mar 2026
- Value
- £436,583
- Period
- 23 Mar 2026 – 22 Mar 2028 · up to 22 Mar 2030 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- A FURTHER TWO (2) YEARS AT THE HEALTH BOARD’S SOLE DISCRETION, EXERCISABLE IN TWELVE (12) MONTH INCREMENTS)
No agreed KPIs: Formal Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have not been included within this contract due to the nature of the services being provided. The contract operates on a quotation basis, with individual orders placed as required, and the supplier agreeing to deliver goods within an agreed lead time of six weeks from order confirmation. Performance is therefore managed through order fulfilment, delivery timelines, product quality, and ongoing operational communication rather than through formal KPI metrics. The supplier has an established history of delivering within agreed timescales and meeting the required specifications and service standards. Any performance issues would be managed through contract management processes, including review meetings, order monitoring, and supplier performance discussions where required. Given the low-risk nature of the arrangement, the quotation-based ordering process, and the defined delivery timeframe, it is considered proportionate that formal KPIs are not included within this contract.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
3 public bodies on the noticeClients of the procurement agent
- Velindre University NHS TrustBeneficiary authority
- NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)Procuring entityContracting authority
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- MEDDX Solutions limitedAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (6)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Signed contract contract schedule for award
- Signed contract declaration of interest
- Signed contract award letter
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