Red Cell Genotyping Services Framework

NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT), Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), Welsh Blood Service, and Northern Ireland blood services are seeking a supplier for red cell genotyping methods to support their reference laboratories. These services diagnose and manage complex blood transfusion cases, particularly for patients whose red cell phenotype cannot be determined through standard methods due to prior transfusions, monoclonal antibody treatments, or autoimmune conditions. Red cell genotyping uses molecular techniques to determine blood groups and is critical for urgent patient care. The supplier must provide: extended red cell genotype testing for multiple blood group systems; detection of weak and partial Rh D variants; either closed or open system platforms; capability to process batches efficiently while minimizing waste from smaller test runs; turnaround time under 24 hours from DNA extraction to results; and quality assurance including CE marking. The framework will serve reference laboratories across the UK, including sites in England (Barnsley, Birmingham, Colindale, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Tooting), Scotland (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness), Wales, and Northern Ireland, with red cell genotyping centralized at the Glasgow site in Scotland.