Logistics Services for NHSBT

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform its procurement and commercial strategy for future logistics services, including courier transport and associated logistics requirements supporting NHSBT’s supply chain.
This engagement forms part of NHSBT’s wider market engagement and commercial planning for future logistics services and is intended to further inform the scope, delivery model and procurement approach for any future opportunity.
This engagement is intended to help inform the shape of the opportunity and should not be taken to indicate that NHSBT has selected any particular solution, structure or supplier approach.
NHSBT currently supports inhouse fleet with a multi-supplier model for courier logistics services, with separate contracts and arrangements supporting the collection, transport and delivery of blood and blood components, plasma, organs, tissues, samples, clinical materials and associated support functions. This varied approach has opportunities to improve:
• co-ordination and integration across courier operations;
• resilience in some services or locations;
• service levels;
• reporting and performance monitoring;
NHSBT is considering future delivery model options in order to support:
• improved operational efficiency and resilience through greater co-ordination across NHSBT fleet and third-party logistics services;
• an enhanced solution for dynamic planning across all operations;
• consistent service standards across courier operations and locations;
• simplified governance and accountability;
• enhanced data visibility and performance insight; and
• improved value for money through a more co-ordinated and effective service approach.
The purpose of this preliminary market engagement is to:
• provide background and context to the proposed procurement;
• test the proposed scope and potential delivery model options;
• better understand market capability, capacity and key risks;
• understand potential mobilisation timetable from potential suppliers to ensure the estimated procurement timetable is realistic and to minimise transition risk;
• obtain supplier insight on operating models, service integration, mobilisation, resilience, transport planning solutions including dynamic planning, data visibility, governance, commercial arrangements and performance management; and
• inform NHSBT’s future commercial strategy and procurement approach.
Areas which may be in scope for discussion as part of this engagement include:
• scheduled and ad hoc transport;
• courier and urgent response services;
• specialist clinical logistics;
• national and/or regional courier logistics;
• control tower, visibility and booking systems;
• contingency for “shock” events;
• mobilisation, continuity and service resilience; and
• 3rd party storage and warehousing to support inhouse provision.

Estimated date of publication of contract notice: 2027-01-04T23:59:59Z
Contract location: UK
Engagement process description
NHSBT intends to undertake preliminary market engagement through:
• an information and engagement webinar on 4 June 2026;
• optional completion of a Request for Information Questionnaire; and
• optional 1:1 supplier sessions with the project team during the weeks commencing 15 June 2026 and 22 June 2026.
To register interest in attending the webinar, suppliers should email jennifer.morgan@nhsbt.nhs.uk by 15 May 2026.
Further details on how to request a 1:1 supplier session will be provided as part of the webinar and/or subsequently to interested suppliers. If demand for 1:1 sessions exceeds available capacity, NHSBT reserves the right to allocate meeting slots on an objective, proportionate and fair basis.
Participation in this preliminary market engagement is voluntary. It will not form part of any formal procurement process or evaluation, and a supplier’s participation or non-participation will not in itself advantage or disadvantage that supplier in any subsequent procurement.
NHSBT will take appropriate steps to maintain a level playing field. All relevant non-confidential information arising from this engagement, including any presentation materials, clarifications, questions and answers, and appropriate summary outputs, will be shared appropriately with the wider market. Where information is identified as confidential or commercially sensitive, NHSBT will treat that information accordingly and will not disclose it other than where permitted or required to do so.
This notice does not constitute a call for competition and does not commit NHSBT to commence any procurement or award any contract. Any future procurement will be subject to the publication of the relevant notice(s) and procurement documents.
All information currently provided is indicative only and subject to change. NHSBT reserves the right to amend the scope, structure, value and timetable of any future procurement, or not to proceed at all.
Suppliers shall bear their own costs and expenses incurred in connection with participation in this preliminary market engagement.

Lot: 1
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes

Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En