Provision of Analysers and Consumables to Test Total Protein Assays from Apheresis Donors and Donations

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are responsible for collecting plasma and platelet donations in England. There is a requirement for NHSBT to undertake total protein testing on these donations and the donors.

As part of the preliminary market engagement exercise, NHSBT are seeking to engage with potential suppliers of analysers that can run total protein assays.

1. General Requirements – Background:

For Donor Safety:

All apheresis donors require a total protein test on their first donation, and this is repeated at every 8th donation and at least annually. Total protein must not be less than 60g/L.

For Quality Monitoring:

Total protein is tested in:

• a.1% of recovered plasma donations (from whole blood donations);
• b.1% of apheresis plasma donations; and
• c.1% of concurrent apheresis plasma donations (obtained during platelet donation).

Total protein must not be less than 50g/L.

NHSBT currently outsource this testing to a 3rd Party. NHSBT are considering bringing this testing in house from 2027. Please note a final decision has not been made on this and the information obtained from this preliminary market engagement will help to inform the decision.

2. Requirement:

NHSBT potentially has a requirement for the purchase/loan of up to three analysers that can run special protein assays. Whilst total protein testing is the primary requirement, NHSBT may also be looking to test for immunoglobulins (IgG) and albumin as part of the requirement. As a general overview, the contracted supplier would be responsible for:

• a.Providing analysers that can test for total protein, and ideally, also IgG and Albumin. This includes delivery of the machines to one/all of the three manufacturing sites – located at Filton, Colindale and Manchester;
• b.Providing key consumables including assay-specific reagents;
• c.Potentially providing the software (including training) to analyse the results – note: this requirement is still under consideration; and
• d.Providing a maintenance and repair service to cover all planned maintenance and any repairs.
• 3.Contract Duration:

The contract duration is still under consideration. The market engagement will enquire about machine lifespan which will further inform the contract length. The current assumption is 5 years plus 2 x 1-year options. The estimated contract value is based on 7 years.