Supply of Cryopreservation-Grade Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) Products

Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (UK02) NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) intends to undertake a procurement exercise for the supply of Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO) for use in the cryopreservation of stem cell and immunotherapy products across NHSBT Cellular and Molecular Therapies (CMT) laboratories. NHSBT is seeking to engage with suppliers and manufacturers of DMSO products to improve its understanding of available solutions within the market, identify innovation opportunities, assess supplier capability, and inform the development of the procurement and specification requirements ahead of any future tender exercise. Background Cellular and Molecular Therapies (CMT), part of NHSBT's Cellular and Gene Therapies Directorate (CAGT), operates specialist laboratories located in Barnsley, Birmingham, Filton, Oxford and Southampton. These laboratories process, test, store and distribute cellular therapy products for transplantation and immunotherapy treatments. DMSO is used during the cryopreservation process to preserve cells during long-term storage at temperatures below -150°C. Requirement Overview NHSBT is interested in obtaining information from suppliers capable of providing DMSO products that meet the following indicative requirements: Technical Requirements • Sterile liquid DMSO ready for use. • Pyrogen-free product. • Minimum purity of 99.9%. • Compliance with current European and/or United States Pharmacopoeia standards. • UKCA or CE marked where applicable. • Availability in: o Vials or bottles (Lot 1); and/or o Alternative containers such as bags or syringes suitable for sterile docking systems (Lot 2). • Evidence that primary packaging materials are compatible with DMSO throughout the stated shelf life. • Certificate of Analysis/Compliance supplied with each batch. • Clear batch and expiry date labelling. • Confirmation regarding DEHP content where applicable. • Assurance that no animal-derived materials are used in manufacture and that there is no risk of cross-contamination. Supply and Service Requirements • Ability to maintain contingency stock equivalent to at least three months' NHSBT demand. • Guaranteed supply continuity and delivery performance. • Minimum six months' shelf life remaining upon delivery. • Agreement to quality audits where required. • Business continuity arrangements suitable for the supply of critical healthcare consumables. • Robust product recall, complaint handling and adverse event management procedures. • Ability to replace unsatisfactory stock within 24 hours where necessary Areas for Market Engagement NHSBT would welcome discussions with suppliers regarding: • Available DMSO products and packaging formats. • Manufacturing and quality assurance arrangements. • Supply chain resilience and continuity of supply. • Shelf-life optimisation. • Environmental sustainability initiatives. • Future product developments and innovations. • Market capacity and opportunities to improve value for money. Supplier Engagement NHSBT intends to undertake preliminary market engagement activities between 24 August 2026 and 4 September 2026. Engagement may take the form of: • Virtual supplier meetings; • Written questionnaires; • Product presentations or demonstrations; • Technical discussions; and/or • Requests for further product and market information. To enable NHSBT to finalise arrangements, interested organisations are requested to submit an expression of interest by email to sahithi.bandi@nhsbt.nhs.uk no later than 17:00 BST on 21 August 2026. Expressions of interest should include: • Organisation name. • Contact details. • Proposed attendees. • Brief overview of relevant products and services. • Product literature and/or company capability information. Participation in this preliminary market engagement exercise will not influence any future procurement process and will not provide any supplier with an advantage in any subsequent competition. Information obtained during the engagement will be used solely to support NHSBT in developing its procurement strategy and refining its requirements. Important Information This notice is issued solely for the purpose of preliminary market engagement under the Procurement Act 2023. No business whatsoever is guaranteed under any resulting contract or framework agreement, and there is no guarantee that a procurement process will be commenced following this notice. No compensation or reimbursement of costs will be paid to organisations participating in this market engagement exercise. Organisations participate entirely at their own cost and risk. NHSBT reserves the right not to proceed with any procurement process following completion of the engagement activities. Any future procurement may be available for use by NHS Blood and Transplant and other eligible contracting authorities where permitted. [Sample of...PIN draft | Word] Contact Details Sahithi Bandi Commercial Manager NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Expression of Interest Deadline: 21 August 2026, 17:00 BST Planned Preliminary Market Engagement Period: 24 August 2026 to 4 September 2026.