Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has published a procurement opportunity for future pathology managed service with an estimated value of £324,000,000. The submission deadline is the date stated in the official notice, giving eligible UK suppliers a limited window to prepare and submit bids through the official Find a Tender portal.

Published on 2026-04-10, this contract is open to suitably qualified suppliers across the United Kingdom. All businesses interested in bidding should review the full tender documentation and confirm they meet all eligibility requirements before the closing date.

Contract overview

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHFT) provides acute hospital services from two large district general hospitals, Cheltenham General Hospital (CGH) and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH). Maternity Services are also provided at Stroud Maternity Hospital. GHFT Pathology services are critical in supporting the delivery of a high-quality, first-class clinical service that can meet the demand and needs of the acute Trust and our One Gloucestershire partners (Gloucestershire Primary care, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust), South Worcestershire Primary care, private healthcare providers and other out of county NHS healthcare organisations. The Pathology disciplines are spread across two sites (GRH and CGH), with Haematology, Blood transfusion, and Chemical Pathology provided at both sites due to the acute clinical services at each site. Cellular Pathology services are consolidated and are based at CGH, and Immunology and Microbiology services are consolidated and are based at GRH. Several managed service contracts are due to expire, the most significant ones in October 2026. As a minimum, replacement of the current contracts must ensure ongoing service provision, as Pathology services are a fundamental diagnostic and prognostic service that supports every aspect of patient care, where 70% to 80% of clinical decisions and 95% of chronic disease pathways are reliant upon input from Pathology. However, national and local demand for Pathology services has increased and become more complex over the last 10 years, and the ability to deliver Pathology services fit for the future, is currently constrained by the estate occupied by GHFT Pathology disciplines. Each discipline has unique estate (e.g. space, storage capacity, temperature control, layout) and workflow challenges, that need to be reconfigured to deliver the operational efficiency and lean process required in a modern-day NHS laboratory, and to provide income generating capacity thr

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the contracting authority. The estimated value is £324,000,000 and the deadline is the date stated in the official notice. Download the full specification from the official portal before preparing a bid.

Is your business eligible?

This contract is most relevant to healthcare providers, social care organisations, NHS suppliers. Suppliers typically need to demonstrate experience delivering similar contracts, appropriate financial standing, and hold CQC registration, DBS checks, clinical qualifications.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust must actively consider SME participation. Check whether this contract has been structured into lots.

• Proven track record in health & nhs contracts of comparable scope
• Financial standing appropriate for a £324,000,000 contract
• Relevant certifications: CQC registration, DBS checks, clinical qualifications
• Capacity to mobilise within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s required timeframe

How to submit a bid

• Step 1 — Access the notice: Visit Find a Tender at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032705-2026
• Step 2 — Register free: Create or log in to your supplier account
• Step 3 — Download documents: Read the full ITT before preparing your response
• Step 4 — Raise clarifications: Submit questions early — Q&A typically closes 1–2 weeks before the deadline
• Step 5 — Submit before the date stated in the official notice: Late submissions are not accepted

What the buyer will evaluate

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will assess all compliant bids against published criteria. Buyers typically apply a 60% quality and 40% price weighting. Under the Procurement Act 2023, social value is a mandatory evaluation criterion.

Writing a winning bid

• Lead with an executive summary addressing Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s objectives directly
• Provide two or more case studies with measurable outcomes from comparable contracts
• Include specific, costed social value commitments
• Price to win but ensure your margin covers full delivery

Frequently asked questions

Can SMEs bid for this contract?

Yes. The Procurement Act 2023 requires Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to consider SME suitability and remove unnecessary barriers.

Is registration on the portal free?

Yes. Registering as a supplier on Find a Tender is completely free.

Where are the full tender documents?

All documents are on the official Find a Tender listing at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032705-2026.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify all details on the official procurement portal before submitting a bid. Kael Tripton is not affiliated with or endorsed by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust or the UK government.