Tender: Provision of Surge PCR Laboratory Diagnostic Testing Capacity for Health Emergencies – UKHSA

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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is seeking a supplier for surge laboratory diagnostic testing capacity to support national responses to future public health emergencies. The supplier will provide Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Testing Services as part of a Public Health Critical service to supplement UKHSA’s internal laboratory network with externally contracted PCR testing capability, operating under two readiness states: Cold State (maintain operational readiness and be capable of ramping up to Hot State within ten (10) weeks as set out in Schedule 10 (Health Incident Response Plan); not required to provide the Guaranteed Daily Capacity) and Hot State (fully operational and capable of delivering the Guaranteed Daily Capacity in response to an emergency activation). There is no minimum test volume under the contract, allocation of test kits and samples will be at UKHSA’s sole discretion, and suppliers must demonstrate the capability to provide a Guaranteed Daily Capacity of at least 100,000 PCR tests per 24-hour period for the Target Pathogen, including Pathogen X. UKHSA seeks robust, sustainable and scalable solutions for rapid operational mobilisation; the indicative contract value refers to Cold State readiness only (maximum estimated Cold State value £3m per annum, with an expectation that costs should be £2m per annum or less) and the operational value during Hot State activation is expected to be substantially higher.