Slide Storage

The Mid South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is planning a procurement process titled "Slide Storage," focusing on the provision of storage, retrieval, and management solutions for pathology samples. This opportunity falls under the category of storage and retrieval services, warehousing, and pathology services within the United Kingdom. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with significant milestones such as the end of the inquiry period on 19th November 2025 and the tender submission deadline on 26th November 2025.

The procurement itself is being conducted through an open procedure, aiming to establish a framework agreement that will serve health and social care bodies throughout the UK until potentially 2034. This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in storage solutions, pathology services, and associated software offerings. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate.

The procurement process is designed to be accessible to a broad array of businesses capable of offering innovative solutions in the areas of offsite archive storage and management technologies. The framework’s focus on ranking suppliers based on technical and commercial scores allows companies with differentiating capabilities and service offerings to stand out, potentially stimulating business growth and partnerships within the health sector. Engaging early in the market engagement sessions scheduled for June 2025 may provide strategic advantages.