National Framework Agreement for Provision of Biomedical and Clinical Research Support

The National Framework Agreement for the Provision of Biomedical and Clinical Research Support establishes a comprehensive suite of services aimed at strengthening the research capacity of Public Sector Organisations throughout the United Kingdom. The framework covers every phase of the research lifecycle, including the design, delivery and management of clinical trials, the collection, analysis and reporting of biomedical data, and the overall logistics required to move and store samples. By providing a single point of access to these diverse functions, the framework enables hospitals, universities and other research entities to streamline coordination and ensure consistent methodological quality across all projects.

Within the agreement, five distinct lots deliver targeted capabilities: (1) transportation and temperature‑controlled storage of research samples; (2) on‑site and off‑site sample processing; (3) secure storage solutions for biological material; (4) end‑to‑end design, data management and analytical services; and (5) full research lifecycle support combining the earlier services into an integrated offering. Each lot is predicated on stringent technical standards, with quality weighted at 80% in the award criteria, and will be subject to renewal every two years under an eight‑year open framework. All services must adhere to relevant biomedical research quality and safety standards.

The objective of this framework is to provide Public Sector Organisations with a comprehensive range of biomedical and clinical research support solutions to contribute to strengthening their research capacity and innovation potential. The scope covers the full research lifecycle, from the design, delivery and management of biomedical and clinical trials to logistics, sample processing, storage, data, and laboratory support.
Biomedical and clinical research support solutions covered by this Framework will include, but are not limited to:
• Transportation of biomedical and clinical research samples
• Sample processing for biomedical and clinical research trials
• Automated biomedical and clinical sample storage
• Manual biomedical and clinical sample storage
• On-site and off-site temperature-controlled biomedical and clinical sample storage
• Collection of biomedical and clinical research data
• Storage of biomedical and clinical research data
• Analysis of biomedical and clinical research data
• Reporting and interpretation of biomedical and clinical research data
• Design of biomedical and clinical research clinical trials
• Implementation of biomedical and clinical research clinical trials

Contract location: UK
Communication: Offers must be written in English and submitted via the Framework Host's e-sourcing portal at https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome Contract Ref: C454342
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Enquiry deadline: 2026-07-21T14:00:00+01:00
Submission address and any special instructions: Offers must be written in English and submitted via the Framework Host's e-sourcing portal at https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome Contract Ref: C454342
Tenders may be submitted electronically: allowed
Award decision date (estimated): 2026-09-01T23:59:59+01:00
Recurring procurement:
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 2028-06-01T23:59:59+01:00

Lot number: 1
Description: This lot concerns the provision of Biomedical and Clinical Research Logistics Services. Further information can be found in Document 2 - Framework Specification of the ITT pack.
Lot value (estimated)
10.000.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
12.000.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: This is Framework 1 of an Open Framework. The Term of the Open Framework shall be 8 years from the Commencement Date. It is intended that the Open Framework will be reopened every 24 months as the Framework Host deems necessary. At these points, incumbent framework suppliers will have the opportunity to revise their Tender, or they may leave their offer as per their last framework tender submission. The term of Framework 1 shall be 24 months from the commencement date.

Lot number: 2
Description: This lot concerns the provision of Biomedical and Clinical Research Sample Processing Services. Further information can be found in Document 2 - Framework Specification of the ITT pack.
Lot value (estimated)
10.000.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
12.000.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: This is Framework 1 of an Open Framework. The Term of the Open Framework shall be 8 years from the Commencement Date. It is intended that the Open Framework will be reopened every 24 months as the Framework Host deems necessary. At these points, incumbent framework suppliers will have the opportunity to revise their Tender, or they may leave their offer as per their last framework tender submission. The term of Framework 1 shall be 24 months from the commencement date.

Lot number: 3
Description: Lot 3 concerns the provision of Biomedical and Clinical Research Storage Services. Further information can be found in Document 2 - Framework Specification of the ITT pack.
Lot value (estimated)
10.000.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
12.000.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: This is Framework 1 of an Open Framework. The Term of the Open Framework shall be 8 years from the Commencement Date. It is intended that the Open Framework will be reopened every 24 months as the Framework Host deems necessary. At these points, incumbent framework suppliers will have the opportunity to revise their Tender, or they may leave their offer as per their last framework tender submission. The term of Framework 1 shall be 24 months from the commencement date.

Lot number: 4
Description: This lot concerns the provision of Biomedical and Clinical Research Design, Data, and Associated Services. Further information can be found in Document 2 - Framework Specification of the ITT pack.
Lot value (estimated)
10.000.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
12.000.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: This is Framework 1 of an Open Framework. The Term of the Open Framework shall be 8 years from the Commencement Date. It is intended that the Open Framework will be reopened every 24 months as the Framework Host deems necessary. At these points, incumbent framework suppliers will have the opportunity to revise their Tender, or they may leave their offer as per their last framework tender submission. The term of Framework 1 shall be 24 months from the commencement date.

Lot number: 5
Description: This lot concerns the provision of the full research lifecycle services. Further information can be found in Document 2 - Framework Specification of the ITT pack.
Lot value (estimated)
10.000.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
12.000.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: This is Framework 1 of an Open Framework. The Term of the Open Framework shall be 8 years from the Commencement Date. It is intended that the Open Framework will be reopened every 24 months as the Framework Host deems necessary. At these points, incumbent framework suppliers will have the opportunity to revise their Tender, or they may leave their offer as per their last framework tender submission. The term of Framework 1 shall be 24 months from the commencement date.

Award criteria:

Name	Type	Weighting
Technical	quality	80%
Social Value	quality	10%
Commercial	price	10%